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Storage →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

CKA Storage Practice Question

This CKA practice question tests your understanding of storage. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.

Exhibit

apiVersion: v1
kind: Pod
metadata:
  name: test-pod
spec:
  containers:
  - name: test
    image: busybox
    command: ["sleep", "3600"]
    volumeMounts:
    - name: cache
      mountPath: /cache
  volumes:
  - name: cache
    emptyDir:
      medium: Memory

Refer to the exhibit. A pod is defined with an emptyDir volume using memory medium. The pod is scheduled on a node with 4 GB of RAM. The container writes 3 GB of data to /cache. What will happen?

Question 1hardmultiple choice
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Exhibit

apiVersion: v1
kind: Pod
metadata:
  name: test-pod
spec:
  containers:
  - name: test
    image: busybox
    command: ["sleep", "3600"]
    volumeMounts:
    - name: cache
      mountPath: /cache
  volumes:
  - name: cache
    emptyDir:
      medium: Memory

Answer choices

Why each option matters

Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.

Correct answer & explanation

✓

The pod will run normally because there is no memory limit and the node has sufficient RAM.

Option D is correct because an emptyDir volume with `medium: Memory` creates a tmpfs filesystem that uses the node's RAM, but it does not impose any inherent limit on how much memory the container can consume via that volume. Since the pod has no memory limit set (no `resources.limits.memory`), the container can write up to the node's available memory (4 GB) without being throttled or killed, as long as the node has sufficient free RAM.

Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • ✗

    The container will be throttled by the kernel's memory management.

    Why it's wrong here

    Throttling applies to CPU, not memory; memory leads to OOM.

  • ✗

    The pod will be evicted because emptyDir with memory is not allowed to use more than 1 GB.

    Why it's wrong here

    No such restriction exists.

  • ✗

    The pod will be OOMKilled because the emptyDir memory usage exceeds the default limit.

    Why it's wrong here

    No default memory limit is set; the pod can use node memory.

  • ✓

    The pod will run normally because there is no memory limit and the node has sufficient RAM.

    Why this is correct

    EmptyDir with memory uses tmpfs; 3 GB is within 4 GB, so it works.

    Related concept

    Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

The trap here is that candidates assume emptyDir with `medium: Memory` has a default limit or triggers OOMKill, when in fact it only uses node memory and is constrained only by explicit `sizeLimit` or node capacity.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

An emptyDir with `medium: Memory` mounts a tmpfs filesystem, which is backed by the node's RAM and swap. The container's writes to `/cache` count against the node's memory, but Kubernetes does not enforce a per-volume memory cap unless a `sizeLimit` is specified in the pod spec. In a real-world scenario, if multiple pods on the same node use memory-backed emptyDir volumes without limits, the node could experience memory pressure, leading to pod evictions or OOMKills at the node level, but not for a single pod with ample free memory.

KKey Concepts to Remember

  • Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
  • Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
  • Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.

TExam Day Tips

  • Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
  • Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.

Key takeaway

Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.

Real-world example

How this comes up in practice

A practitioner preparing for the CKA exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.

What to study next

Got this wrong? Here's your next step.

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this CKA question test?

Storage — This question tests Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: The pod will run normally because there is no memory limit and the node has sufficient RAM. — Option D is correct because an emptyDir volume with `medium: Memory` creates a tmpfs filesystem that uses the node's RAM, but it does not impose any inherent limit on how much memory the container can consume via that volume. Since the pod has no memory limit set (no `resources.limits.memory`), the container can write up to the node's available memory (4 GB) without being throttled or killed, as long as the node has sufficient free RAM.

What should I do if I get this CKA question wrong?

Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.

What is the key concept behind this question?

Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.

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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026

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This CKA practice question is part of Courseiva's free CNCF certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CKA exam.