The answer is `ansible-playbook --syntax-check`. This command is the correct choice because it parses the playbook’s YAML structure and validates its syntax without executing any tasks, making it a safe and efficient way to catch formatting errors, missing colons, or indentation problems before a run. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your ability to distinguish between validation and execution commands; a common trap is confusing `--syntax-check` with `--check` (which performs a dry run of tasks) or with `ansible-lint` (which checks style and best practices, not just syntax). The exam expects you to know that `--syntax-check` is a built-in flag of `ansible-playbook`, not a separate tool. For a quick memory tip, think “syntax first, run later”—the `--syntax-check` flag is your pre-flight checklist, ensuring the playbook is structurally sound before you commit to execution.
XK0-005 Scripting, Containers and Automation Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
An Ansible playbook fails with a syntax error. Which command validates the playbook syntax without running it?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Why wrong: ansible-lint is a separate utility that checks for best practices and style, but it is not built into ansible-playbook and may not catch all syntax errors.
B
ansible-playbook --check
Why wrong: --check runs the playbook in 'check mode' to simulate changes, but does not validate syntax; it requires a connection to hosts.
C
ansible-playbook --validate
Why wrong: There is no --validate option in ansible-playbook.
D
ansible-playbook --syntax-check
This command parses the playbook and reports syntax errors without executing any tasks.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ansible-playbook --syntax-check
The `--syntax-check` flag is a built-in option of `ansible-playbook` that parses the YAML file and validates its syntax without executing any tasks. This is the correct tool for catching syntax errors in a playbook before running it.
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-lint playbook.yml
Why it's wrong here
ansible-lint is a separate utility that checks for best practices and style, but it is not built into ansible-playbook and may not catch all syntax errors.
✗
ansible-playbook --check
Why it's wrong here
--check runs the playbook in 'check mode' to simulate changes, but does not validate syntax; it requires a connection to hosts.
✗
ansible-playbook --validate
Why it's wrong here
There is no --validate option in ansible-playbook.
✓
ansible-playbook --syntax-check
Why this is correct
This command parses the playbook and reports syntax errors without executing any tasks.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse `--syntax-check` with `--check` (dry run) or assume `ansible-lint` is the syntax validator, but `--syntax-check` is the only command that validates syntax without any execution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `--syntax-check` uses Ansible's YAML parser and Jinja2 template engine to verify the playbook structure, including proper indentation, valid module names, and correct variable references, without connecting to any hosts or executing tasks. In real-world CI/CD pipelines, this flag is often used as a pre-commit gate to catch malformed playbooks early, preventing runtime failures that could disrupt automation workflows.
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-playbook --syntax-check — The `--syntax-check` flag is a built-in option of `ansible-playbook` that parses the YAML file and validates its syntax without executing any tasks. This is the correct tool for catching syntax errors in a playbook before running it.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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