This KCNA practice question tests your understanding of container orchestration. 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 TWO statements about containers compared to virtual machines are correct? (Select 2)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Containers have lower overhead than virtual machines
Options B and D are correct. Containers share the host OS kernel, making them lightweight and portable (B). They have lower overhead than VMs because they do not require a full OS per instance (D). Option A is false—containers do not have a separate kernel. Option C is false—VMs can run any OS, but containers share the host kernel. Option E is false—VMs have stronger isolation but at the cost of more resources.
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.
✓
Containers have lower overhead than virtual machines
Why this is correct
Containers do not need a full guest OS, so they have lower overhead.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Containers are lightweight and share the host OS kernel
Why this is correct
Containers share the host kernel, making them lightweight.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Virtual machines share the host OS kernel
Why it's wrong here
VMs run their own kernel.
✗
Each container runs its own operating system kernel
Why it's wrong here
Containers share the host OS kernel.
✗
Virtual machines provide weaker isolation than containers
Why it's wrong here
VMs provide stronger isolation because each has its own kernel.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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.
Identify which KCNA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Container Orchestration — This question tests Container Orchestration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Containers have lower overhead than virtual machines — Options B and D are correct. Containers share the host OS kernel, making them lightweight and portable (B). They have lower overhead than VMs because they do not require a full OS per instance (D). Option A is false—containers do not have a separate kernel. Option C is false—VMs can run any OS, but containers share the host kernel. Option E is false—VMs have stronger isolation but at the cost of more resources.
What should I do if I get this KCNA question wrong?
Identify which KCNA exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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