easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: A Linux system fails to boot after a disk…
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. # /etc/fstab UUID=1234-5678-90ab-cdef / ext4 defaults 1 1 UUID=abcd-ef12-3456-7890 /boot ext4 defaults 1 2 UUID=90ab-cdef-1234-5678 /home ext4 defaults 1 2 # Note: The root filesystem UUID is incorrect because the disk was replaced.
A Linux system fails to boot after a disk replacement. The administrator examines /etc/fstab and sees the above. What is the most likely result of this configuration?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates assume the system will fall back to the device name or skip the entry, but Linux strictly requires the exact UUID for mounting and will drop to an emergency shell on failure.
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
✓
The system will boot into an emergency shell
The /etc/fstab entry contains an incorrect UUID for the root filesystem. During boot, systemd reads fstab and attempts to mount the root partition using the specified UUID. When the UUID does not match any available block device, the mount fails, and because the root filesystem is critical, the system drops into an emergency shell to allow manual intervention.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The system will boot into an emergency shell
Why this is correct
Root mount failure causes emergency mode.
- ✗
The system will boot normally using the device name
Why it's wrong here
Mount uses UUID, not device name, when UUID is specified.
- ✗
The system will ignore the incorrect UUID and try next entry
Why it's wrong here
Each entry is independent; root failure stops boot.
- ✗
The system will prompt for manual fsck
Why it's wrong here
fsck may not run if mount fails; systemd drops to emergency.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Mount
Mounting is the process of making a file system or storage device accessible to a computer's operating system by attaching it to a specific directory in the existing directory tree.
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
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JA
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.