- A
--- apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: namespace: dev name: pod-reader rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["get", "list", "watch"] --- apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: RoleBinding metadata: name: read-pods namespace: dev subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa namespace: dev roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Correctly defines a Role and RoleBinding in the same namespace.
- B
Same as A but subjects: - kind: Group name: app-sa
Why wrong: A ServiceAccount is not a Group.
- C
Same as A but subjects: - kind: User name: app-sa
Why wrong: A ServiceAccount must be referenced with kind: ServiceAccount.
- D
Same as A but RoleBinding uses kind: ClusterRole
Why wrong: Using ClusterRole would grant access across namespaces if not bound with a RoleBinding.
CKAD Practice Question: Application Environment, Configuration and Security
This CKAD practice question tests your understanding of application environment, configuration and security. 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.
An administrator wants to grant a ServiceAccount 'app-sa' in namespace 'dev' read-only access to pods in the same namespace. Which YAML snippet correctly defines the required RBAC resources?
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
--- apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: namespace: dev name: pod-reader rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["get", "list", "watch"] --- apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: RoleBinding metadata: name: read-pods namespace: dev subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa namespace: dev roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Option A correctly defines a Role with read-only verbs (get, list, watch) on pods in the 'dev' namespace, and binds it to the ServiceAccount 'app-sa' using a RoleBinding. Since both the Role and RoleBinding are scoped to the same namespace, this grants the ServiceAccount the required read-only access to pods within that namespace.
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.
- ✓
--- apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: namespace: dev name: pod-reader rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["get", "list", "watch"] --- apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: RoleBinding metadata: name: read-pods namespace: dev subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa namespace: dev roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io
Why this is correct
Correctly defines a Role and RoleBinding in the same namespace.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Same as A but subjects: - kind: Group name: app-sa
Why it's wrong here
A ServiceAccount is not a Group.
- ✗
Same as A but subjects: - kind: User name: app-sa
Why it's wrong here
A ServiceAccount must be referenced with kind: ServiceAccount.
- ✗
Same as A but RoleBinding uses kind: ClusterRole
Why it's wrong here
Using ClusterRole would grant access across namespaces if not bound with a RoleBinding.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the subject kind (ServiceAccount vs. User vs. Group) or incorrectly use a ClusterRole when a namespace-scoped Role is sufficient, leading to overly permissive or misconfigured bindings.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, Kubernetes RBAC evaluates requests by checking the verb, resource, and API group against the Role or ClusterRole bound to the requester's identity. A RoleBinding binds a Role to subjects only within the same namespace, ensuring that the ServiceAccount cannot access pods in other namespaces. The verbs 'get', 'list', and 'watch' are the standard read-only verbs for Kubernetes resources; omitting 'create', 'update', 'patch', or 'delete' enforces the read-only restriction.
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 junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
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 CKAD question test?
Application Environment, Configuration and Security — This question tests Application Environment, Configuration and Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: --- apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: Role metadata: namespace: dev name: pod-reader rules: - apiGroups: [""] resources: ["pods"] verbs: ["get", "list", "watch"] --- apiVersion: rbac.authorization.k8s.io/v1 kind: RoleBinding metadata: name: read-pods namespace: dev subjects: - kind: ServiceAccount name: app-sa namespace: dev roleRef: kind: Role name: pod-reader apiGroup: rbac.authorization.k8s.io — Option A correctly defines a Role with read-only verbs (get, list, watch) on pods in the 'dev' namespace, and binds it to the ServiceAccount 'app-sa' using a RoleBinding. Since both the Role and RoleBinding are scoped to the same namespace, this grants the ServiceAccount the required read-only access to pods within that namespace.
What should I do if I get this CKAD 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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This CKAD 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 CKAD exam.
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