CKA Practice Question: Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration
This CKA practice question tests your understanding of cluster architecture, installation & configuration. 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
$ kubectl get nodes
NAME STATUS ROLES AGE VERSION
controlplane Ready master 45d v1.28.2
worker1 Ready <none> 45d v1.28.2
worker2 Ready <none> 45d v1.28.2
worker3 Ready <none> 45d v1.29.0
$ kubectl get pods -n kube-system | grep kube-proxy
kube-proxy-controlplane 1/1 Running 0 45d
kube-proxy-worker1 1/1 Running 0 45d
kube-proxy-worker2 1/1 Running 0 45d
kube-proxy-worker3 0/1 CrashLoopBackOff 3 1m
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator notices that kube-proxy on worker3 is in CrashLoopBackOff. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Exhibit
$ kubectl get nodes
NAME STATUS ROLES AGE VERSION
controlplane Ready master 45d v1.28.2
worker1 Ready <none> 45d v1.28.2
worker2 Ready <none> 45d v1.28.2
worker3 Ready <none> 45d v1.29.0
$ kubectl get pods -n kube-system | grep kube-proxy
kube-proxy-controlplane 1/1 Running 0 45d
kube-proxy-worker1 1/1 Running 0 45d
kube-proxy-worker2 1/1 Running 0 45d
kube-proxy-worker3 0/1 CrashLoopBackOff 3 1m
A
The kube-proxy configuration file on worker3 is missing.
Why wrong: Not indicated by the exhibit.
B
The kube-proxy image version is incompatible with the kubelet version on worker3.
Version mismatch between kube-proxy and kubelet is a common cause.
C
The kube-proxy DaemonSet is not scheduled on worker3.
Why wrong: It is scheduled, but failing.
D
The node worker3 has insufficient resources for kube-proxy.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The kube-proxy image version is incompatible with the kubelet version on worker3.
The node worker3 is running Kubernetes v1.29.0 while the control plane and other worker nodes are running v1.28.2. Kubernetes components should generally be within one minor version of each other. The kube-proxy image version likely mismatches or is incompatible with the node's kubelet version, causing the crash.
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 kube-proxy configuration file on worker3 is missing.
Why it's wrong here
Not indicated by the exhibit.
✓
The kube-proxy image version is incompatible with the kubelet version on worker3.
Why this is correct
Version mismatch between kube-proxy and kubelet is a common cause.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The kube-proxy DaemonSet is not scheduled on worker3.
Why it's wrong here
It is scheduled, but failing.
✗
The node worker3 has insufficient resources for kube-proxy.
Why it's wrong here
Not indicated; other pods are running.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKA question in full detail.
Identify which CKA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration — This question tests Cluster Architecture, Installation & Configuration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The kube-proxy image version is incompatible with the kubelet version on worker3. — The node worker3 is running Kubernetes v1.29.0 while the control plane and other worker nodes are running v1.28.2. Kubernetes components should generally be within one minor version of each other. The kube-proxy image version likely mismatches or is incompatible with the node's kubelet version, causing the crash.
What should I do if I get this CKA question wrong?
Identify which CKA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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