- A
kubectl get events --field-selector=reason=OOMKilling
Why wrong: `kubectl get events` with this filter can show OOMKill events, but `kubectl top pods --containers` provides real-time memory consumption per container for active diagnosis.
- B
kubectl top pods --containers -n [NAMESPACE]
`kubectl top pods --containers` shows real-time CPU and memory consumption per container, helping identify which container is consuming the most memory — essential for diagnosing leaks.
- C
kubectl delete pod [POD_NAME] -- force=true to clear the memory leak
Why wrong: Deleting the Pod terminates and recreates it — this stops the immediate OOMKill but doesn't identify which container is leaking. The issue will recur.
- D
gcloud container clusters describe [CLUSTER] --memory-usage
Why wrong: `gcloud container clusters describe` shows cluster configuration, not real-time container memory consumption.
Quick Answer
The answer is `kubectl top pods --containers -n [NAMESPACE]` because it provides per-container CPU and memory metrics, allowing you to pinpoint exactly which container within a pod is consuming excessive memory and triggering the OOMKilled status. In a multi-container pod, a memory leak in one container can cause the entire pod to restart, so container-level visibility is essential for isolating the faulty process. On the Google Associate Cloud Engineer exam, this question tests your ability to use kubectl for real-time troubleshooting under pressure—a common trap is choosing `kubectl describe pod` or `kubectl logs`, which show events or output but not live resource consumption. Remember the memory tip: "Top containers, top insight"—if you need to identify a container memory leak and OOMKilled culprit, always reach for `kubectl top pods --containers` first, as it surfaces the exact container hogging memory before a code fix is deployed.
Google ACE Practice Question: Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution
This ACE practice question tests your understanding of ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution. 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.
A team's GKE application is running out of memory due to a memory leak. Pods are restarting with OOMKilled status. As an immediate measure before a code fix is available, what kubectl action provides the most insight into which container is leaking?
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
kubectl top pods --containers -n [NAMESPACE]
Option B is correct because `kubectl top pods --containers` shows per-container CPU and memory usage for each pod in the namespace. This allows you to identify which specific container within a pod is consuming excessive memory and triggering the OOMKilled status, even before a code fix is deployed. It provides immediate, real-time insight into resource consumption at the container level, which is essential for diagnosing a memory leak in a multi-container pod.
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.
- ✗
kubectl get events --field-selector=reason=OOMKilling
Why it's wrong here
`kubectl get events` with this filter can show OOMKill events, but `kubectl top pods --containers` provides real-time memory consumption per container for active diagnosis.
- ✓
kubectl top pods --containers -n [NAMESPACE]
Why this is correct
`kubectl top pods --containers` shows real-time CPU and memory consumption per container, helping identify which container is consuming the most memory — essential for diagnosing leaks.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
kubectl delete pod [POD_NAME] -- force=true to clear the memory leak
Why it's wrong here
Deleting the Pod terminates and recreates it — this stops the immediate OOMKill but doesn't identify which container is leaking. The issue will recur.
- ✗
gcloud container clusters describe [CLUSTER] --memory-usage
Why it's wrong here
`gcloud container clusters describe` shows cluster configuration, not real-time container memory consumption.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Google Cloud often tests the misconception that cluster-level or event-based commands (like `kubectl get events` or `gcloud container clusters describe`) provide container-level resource diagnostics, when in fact only `kubectl top` with the `--containers` flag gives per-container memory usage in real time.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
`kubectl get events` with this filter can show OOMKill events, but `kubectl top pods --containers` provides real-time memory consumption per container for active diagnosis.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `kubectl top` command relies on the Metrics Server, which collects resource usage from the kubelet's cAdvisor endpoint via the Summary API. In a multi-container pod, memory usage is tracked per container cgroup, and `--containers` flag exposes this granular data. A real-world scenario: a sidecar proxy container might leak memory while the main application appears healthy; `kubectl top pods --containers` would immediately highlight the proxy's growing RSS, guiding the team to fix the correct container.
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 cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this ACE question test?
Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution — This question tests Ensuring successful operation of a cloud solution — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: kubectl top pods --containers -n [NAMESPACE] — Option B is correct because `kubectl top pods --containers` shows per-container CPU and memory usage for each pod in the namespace. This allows you to identify which specific container within a pod is consuming excessive memory and triggering the OOMKilled status, even before a code fix is deployed. It provides immediate, real-time insight into resource consumption at the container level, which is essential for diagnosing a memory leak in a multi-container pod.
What should I do if I get this ACE 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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This ACE practice question is part of Courseiva's free Google Cloud 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 ACE exam.
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