XK0-006 System Management Practice Question
A Linux administrator needs to view the last 10 lines of a log file named 'syslog'. Which command should be used?
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
✓
tail -10 syslog
The 'tail' command outputs the last lines of a file; by default it shows 10 lines.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
cat syslog
Why it's wrong here
Cat shows the entire file, not just the last 10 lines.
- ✗
head -10 syslog
Why it's wrong here
Head shows the first lines, not the last.
- ✗
less syslog
Why it's wrong here
Less opens the file for interactive viewing, but does not directly show only the last 10 lines.
- ✓
tail -10 syslog
Why this is correct
Tail -10 shows the last 10 lines of the file.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
Key term
Syslog
Syslog is a standard protocol used to send and store log messages from network devices and servers to a central logging server for monitoring and troubleshooting.
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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.