- A
kubectl describe pods
Why wrong: 'describe' provides detailed information, not a simple list.
- B
kubectl get pods
This retrieves and displays the list of Pods.
- C
kubectl list pods
Why wrong: 'list' is not a valid kubectl verb.
- D
kubectl show pods
Why wrong: 'show' is not a valid kubectl verb.
Question 650 of 997
How to List Pods with kubectl get pods
This KCNA practice question tests your understanding of kubernetes fundamentals. 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.
Which command would you use to view the current state of all Pods in the default namespace?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
✓
kubectl get pods
The `kubectl get pods` command retrieves and displays the current state of all Pods in the default namespace. It is the standard imperative command for listing Kubernetes resources, showing key fields like NAME, READY, STATUS, RESTARTS, and AGE.
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.
- ✗
kubectl describe pods
Why it's wrong here
'describe' provides detailed information, not a simple list.
- ✓
kubectl get pods
Why this is correct
This retrieves and displays the list of Pods.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
kubectl list pods
Why it's wrong here
'list' is not a valid kubectl verb.
- ✗
kubectl show pods
Why it's wrong here
'show' is not a valid kubectl verb.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse `kubectl get` with non-existent verbs like `list` or `show`, or mistakenly think `describe` is used for listing all resources, when `describe` is actually for detailed inspection of specific resources.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
'show' is not a valid kubectl verb.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `kubectl get pods` sends a GET request to the Kubernetes API server's `/api/v1/namespaces/default/pods` endpoint, which returns a JSON or YAML list of Pod objects. The command then formats the output into a table, with the STATUS column reflecting the Pod's `status.phase` (e.g., Running, Pending, Succeeded, Failed, Unknown). In real-world scenarios, you often combine this with `-o wide` to see node IPs or `--watch` to track changes live.
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 KCNA 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.
- →
Kubernetes Fundamentals — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
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Targeted practice on this topic area only
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- →
Kubernetes and Cloud Native Associate KCNA study guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this KCNA question test?
Kubernetes Fundamentals — This question tests Kubernetes Fundamentals — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: kubectl get pods — The `kubectl get pods` command retrieves and displays the current state of all Pods in the default namespace. It is the standard imperative command for listing Kubernetes resources, showing key fields like NAME, READY, STATUS, RESTARTS, and AGE.
What should I do if I get this KCNA question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on KCNA
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. What does the 'kubectl get pods' command display?
medium- A.Detailed information about a specific pod
- ✓ B.A list of all pods in the current namespace
- C.The YAML definition of a pod
- D.The logs of all pods
Why B: The 'kubectl get pods' command lists all pods in the current namespace, providing a summary of their status, restarts, and age. This is the default behavior without specifying a namespace or pod name, making it the primary command for pod discovery and health checks.
Keep practising
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This KCNA 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 KCNA exam.
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