KCNA Kubernetes Fundamentals Practice Question
Which THREE of the following are core components of a Kubernetes worker node?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse control plane components (etcd, kube-apiserver) with worker node components, especially when they see them listed together in a question about cluster architecture.
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
✓
container runtime
A container runtime is a core component of a Kubernetes worker node. It is responsible for actually running the containers (e.g., containerd, CRI-O) and is required by the kubelet to manage pod lifecycle. Without a container runtime, the kubelet cannot start or stop containers on the node.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
etcd
Why it's wrong here
etcd is a control plane component.
- ✗
kube-apiserver
Why it's wrong here
API server is a control plane component.
- ✓
container runtime
Why this is correct
Container runtime runs containers.
- ✓
kube-proxy
Why this is correct
Kube-proxy maintains network rules.
- ✓
kubelet
Why this is correct
Kubelet ensures containers run in pods.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Kubernetes Overview and Core Components
Key term
ReplicaSet and Replication
A ReplicaSet ensures a specified number of identical pod instances are running at all times in Kubernetes, using replication to maintain availability and stability.
Key term
Pod Lifecycle
The Pod Lifecycle describes the sequence of states a Kubernetes pod passes through from creation to termination, including pending, running, succeeded, failed, and unknown conditions.
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Same concept, more angles
3 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. Which two components are part of the Kubernetes worker node? (Select TWO)
medium- ✓ A.kubelet
- B.kube-controller-manager
- C.etcd
- D.kube-scheduler
- ✓ E.container runtime
Why A: The kubelet is the primary node agent that runs on every worker node. It registers the node with the Kubernetes control plane, receives Pod specifications from the API server via the kube-apiserver, and ensures that the containers described in those PodSpecs are running and healthy. It also reports node and Pod status back to the control plane using the Kubernetes API.
Variation 2. Which TWO components are part of a Kubernetes worker node?
easy- ✓ A.kubelet
- B.kube-scheduler
- C.container runtime
- ✓ D.kube-proxy
- E.etcd
Why A: The kubelet is the primary node agent that runs on every worker node. It registers the node with the cluster, receives Pod specifications from the API server, and ensures that the containers described in those Pods are running and healthy. Without the kubelet, a node cannot participate in the cluster as a worker.
Variation 3. Which TWO components are part of the Kubernetes worker node?
easy- A.kube-apiserver
- B.etcd
- C.kube-scheduler
- ✓ D.kube-proxy
- ✓ E.kubelet
Why D: (kube-proxy) is correct because it is a network component that runs on each worker node, maintaining network rules (e.g., iptables or IPVS) to enable communication to Pods across the cluster. Option E (kubelet) is correct because it is the primary node agent that runs on every worker node, responsible for managing Pods and their containers as defined by the control plane.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.