The correct answer is that Ansible is agentless and uses SSH for communication, with playbooks written in YAML. This is because Ansible’s agentless architecture eliminates the need for any software installed on managed nodes—instead, it pushes modules over SSH (or WinRM for Windows) and removes them after execution, reducing overhead and security risks. YAML (YAML Ain’t Markup Language) provides a clean, human-readable syntax for defining automation tasks, variables, and handlers in playbooks, making them easy to write and maintain without deep programming skills. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your understanding of core Ansible characteristics versus tools like Puppet or Chef, which require agents. A common trap is confusing YAML with JSON or XML, but remember that YAML uses indentation, not brackets. Memory tip: “Agentless SSH, YAML for success”—if you see “agent” or “JSON” in a wrong answer, eliminate it.
XK0-005 Scripting, Containers and Automation Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. 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 statements are true regarding the use of Ansible for automation? (Choose TWO.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Ansible playbooks are written in YAML.
Option B is correct because Ansible playbooks are written in YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language), which is a human-readable data serialization standard. YAML allows for simple, declarative syntax to define automation tasks, variables, and handlers, making playbooks easy to write and maintain without requiring programming expertise.
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.
✗
Ansible requires a dedicated master server to manage nodes.
Why it's wrong here
Ansible can be run from any machine with Ansible installed; no dedicated master is required.
✓
Ansible playbooks are written in YAML.
Why this is correct
Ansible playbooks are YAML files that define automation tasks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Ansible is agentless and uses SSH for communication.
Why this is correct
Ansible does not require agents on managed nodes; it uses SSH by default.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Ansible uses a pull-based model where nodes fetch configurations from a central server.
Why it's wrong here
Ansible is push-based; the control node pushes configurations to managed nodes.
✗
Ansible modules are written in Ruby.
Why it's wrong here
Ansible modules are written in Python.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse Ansible's push-based model with pull-based tools like Puppet or Chef, or assume a master server is required because other automation tools use a master-agent architecture.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ansible's agentless architecture relies on SSH (or WinRM for Windows) to execute modules on managed nodes, which are transiently copied and run without installing any persistent agent. This design reduces overhead and security risks, as no open ports or services are required on nodes beyond the standard SSH daemon. In real-world scenarios, this makes Ansible ideal for dynamic or ephemeral environments like cloud instances where installing agents is impractical.
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 XK0-005 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 XK0-005 question in full detail.
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Ansible playbooks are written in YAML. — Option B is correct because Ansible playbooks are written in YAML (YAML Ain't Markup Language), which is a human-readable data serialization standard. YAML allows for simple, declarative syntax to define automation tasks, variables, and handlers, making playbooks easy to write and maintain without requiring programming expertise.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 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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This XK0-005 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 XK0-005 exam.
Question Discussion
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