This CKS practice question tests your understanding of cluster setup and hardening. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Which kubectl command creates a Role named 'pod-reader' that allows only 'get', 'list', and 'watch' on pods in namespace 'ns1'?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
kubectl create role pod-reader --verb=get,list,watch --resource=pods --namespace=ns1
Option B is correct because the `kubectl create role` command creates a Role (namespaced resource) with the specified verbs and resources in the given namespace. The `--verb=get,list,watch` and `--resource=pods` flags define the exact permissions, and `--namespace=ns1` scopes the Role to that namespace, which matches the requirement.
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.
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `kubectl create role` with `kubectl create clusterrole` (option A) or mistakenly use `--verb=*` (option C) thinking it means 'only these verbs', when in fact it grants all verbs, violating the principle of least privilege.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Roles in Kubernetes are namespaced resources that define a set of permissions (verbs on resources) within a specific namespace. The `kubectl create role` command generates a Role object with the specified rules, which can then be bound to users, groups, or service accounts via RoleBindings. A common real-world scenario is granting read-only access to pods in a specific namespace for a developer or CI/CD pipeline, ensuring they cannot modify or delete pods in other namespaces.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this CKS question in full detail.
Cluster Setup and Hardening — This question tests Cluster Setup and Hardening — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: kubectl create role pod-reader --verb=get,list,watch --resource=pods --namespace=ns1 — Option B is correct because the `kubectl create role` command creates a Role (namespaced resource) with the specified verbs and resources in the given namespace. The `--verb=get,list,watch` and `--resource=pods` flags define the exact permissions, and `--namespace=ns1` scopes the Role to that namespace, which matches the requirement.
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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Question Discussion
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