XK0-006 Automation, Orchestration, and Scripting Practice Question
An administrator is creating an Ansible playbook to configure multiple web servers. Which of the following are valid ways to define variables for different groups of hosts? (Choose TWO.)
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
✓
In a group_vars directory
In Ansible, group variables can be defined in a group_vars directory (A) or directly in the inventory file using the :vars suffix, such as [webservers:vars] (B). The host_vars directory (C) is used for variables specific to individual hosts, not for groups of hosts. Since the question asks for two valid ways to define variables for groups, the correct answers are A and B.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
In a group_vars directory
Why this is correct
Variables placed in a group_vars directory apply to all hosts in the group.
- ✓
In the inventory file using :vars
Why this is correct
In the inventory file, using the :vars suffix (e.g., [groupname:vars]) defines variables for that group.
- ✗
In a host_vars directory
Why it's wrong here
Variables in a host_vars directory apply to a specific host, which can be in a group, making it a valid way to define variables for hosts in different groups.
- ✗
In the playbook itself using vars_files
Why it's wrong here
vars_files in a playbook includes external variable files, but those variables apply at the play or task level, not specifically to a group of hosts.
- ✗
In the roles directory
Why it's wrong here
Roles directory contains role-specific variables, not group-specific variables.
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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.