- A
--previous
--previous shows logs from the previous container instance.
- B
--tail
Why wrong: --tail shows the last N lines of logs.
- C
--all-containers
Why wrong: --all-containers shows logs from all containers in the pod.
- D
--since
Why wrong: --since shows logs after a timestamp.
Question 617 of 997
kubectl logs --previous: View CrashLoopBackOff Logs
This CKS practice question tests your understanding of monitoring, logging and runtime security. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.
You have a pod that is in CrashLoopBackOff. You want to inspect the logs from the previous instance of the container. Which flag should you use with kubectl logs?
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
✓
--previous
When a pod is in CrashLoopBackOff, the current container instance has crashed and restarted, so its logs may be empty or not reflect the crash. The `--previous` flag (or `-p`) tells `kubectl logs` to show logs from the previous instance of the container, which contains the output from the crashed process. This is the correct way to retrieve crash-related logs without waiting for the new instance to produce output.
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.
- ✓
--previous
Why this is correct
--previous shows logs from the previous container instance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
--tail
Why it's wrong here
--tail shows the last N lines of logs.
- ✗
--all-containers
Why it's wrong here
--all-containers shows logs from all containers in the pod.
- ✗
--since
Why it's wrong here
--since shows logs after a timestamp.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The exam often tests the misconception that `--tail` or `--since` can retrieve logs from a crashed container, but these flags only filter the current container's logs, not the previous instance's logs.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
--tail shows the last N lines of logs.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, when a container crashes, its logs are retained by the container runtime (e.g., containerd or CRI-O) in a separate log file or journal entry, and the kubelet tracks the previous container's log file path. The `--previous` flag instructs the kubelet to read from that archived log file rather than the current container's log stream. In a real-world scenario, if a pod has restarted multiple times, you can use `kubectl logs pod-name --previous` to see the last crash log, and combine it with `--tail=20` to limit output to the most relevant lines.
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 CKS 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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CKS question test?
Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security — This question tests Monitoring, Logging and Runtime Security — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: --previous — When a pod is in CrashLoopBackOff, the current container instance has crashed and restarted, so its logs may be empty or not reflect the crash. The `--previous` flag (or `-p`) tells `kubectl logs` to show logs from the previous instance of the container, which contains the output from the crashed process. This is the correct way to retrieve crash-related logs without waiting for the new instance to produce output.
What should I do if I get this CKS 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: Jul 4, 2026
This CKS 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 CKS exam.
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