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 TWO of the following are valid ways to view the logs of a pod named 'my-pod'?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
kubectl exec my-pod -- cat /var/log/app.log
Option B is correct because `kubectl exec my-pod -- cat /var/log/app.log` runs the `cat` command inside the container of the pod, allowing you to read a specific log file directly from the filesystem. This is a valid method when the application writes logs to a file rather than stdout/stderr, or when you need to inspect a log file that is not captured by the standard logging driver.
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 pod my-pod
Why it's wrong here
This shows metadata and events but not the logs of the container.
✓
kubectl exec my-pod -- cat /var/log/app.log
Why this is correct
If the application writes logs to a file, this command can retrieve them.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
kubectl logs my-pod
Why this is correct
This is the standard kubectl command to view container logs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
kubectl run my-pod -- logs
Why it's wrong here
There is no such command; kubectl run creates a new pod.
✗
kubectl attach my-pod
Why it's wrong here
This attaches to the running process; not used for viewing logs.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse `kubectl describe` (which shows pod events and status) with `kubectl logs` (which shows actual application output), or assume `kubectl attach` can retrieve past logs when it only connects to the live process stream.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This shows metadata and events but not the logs of the container.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `kubectl logs` command (Option C) retrieves logs from the container runtime (e.g., containerd or CRI-O) via the kubelet, which captures stdout and stderr streams from the container's entrypoint. In contrast, `kubectl exec` accesses the container's filesystem directly, bypassing the logging driver, which is useful when applications write logs to a file path like `/var/log/app.log` rather than to standard streams. This distinction matters in production environments where log rotation or sidecar logging agents may be configured to tail specific files.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this KCNA question in full detail.
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 exec my-pod -- cat /var/log/app.log — Option B is correct because `kubectl exec my-pod -- cat /var/log/app.log` runs the `cat` command inside the container of the pod, allowing you to read a specific log file directly from the filesystem. This is a valid method when the application writes logs to a file rather than stdout/stderr, or when you need to inspect a log file that is not captured by the standard logging driver.
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.
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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