easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: A team uses Ansible for configuration management
A team uses Ansible for configuration management. A playbook fails with the error 'ERROR! Syntax Error while loading YAML script'. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse a YAML parsing error with a runtime execution error, such as an SSH key issue or an invalid module, because they all prevent the playbook from running successfully.
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
✓
Incorrect indentation in the YAML file
The error 'Syntax Error while loading YAML script' indicates that Ansible's YAML parser encountered a structural problem in the playbook file. The most common cause in YAML is incorrect indentation, because YAML relies on consistent spacing (typically 2 spaces per level) to define the hierarchy of tasks, plays, and variables. A missing SSH key would produce a connection or authentication error, not a YAML syntax error.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Missing SSH key
Why it's wrong here
Would cause a connection error, not a YAML syntax error.
- ✓
Incorrect indentation in the YAML file
Why this is correct
YAML syntax errors are most commonly due to indentation mistakes.
- ✗
Invalid module name
Why it's wrong here
Invalid module name would produce a 'module not found' error, not a syntax error.
- ✗
Playbook not executable
Why it's wrong here
Ansible playbooks do not need to be executable; they are parsed by ansible-playbook.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This XK0-006 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 XK0-006 exam.