hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: A Linux system fails to boot and displays a…
A Linux system fails to boot and displays a kernel panic immediately after the GRUB menu. The administrator needs to boot into a rescue environment. Which GRUB boot parameter should the administrator add to the kernel line?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse the legacy SysVinit `single` parameter or the direct `init=/bin/bash` shortcut with the correct systemd-based rescue target, not realizing that modern distributions require the `systemd.unit=` syntax to properly initialize the rescue environment with necessary services and filesystem mounts.
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
✓
systemd.unit=rescue.target
When a Linux system experiences a kernel panic immediately after GRUB, the administrator needs to boot into a minimal rescue environment that loads essential system services. The `systemd.unit=rescue.target` parameter tells systemd to start the rescue target, which mounts the root filesystem and starts only the most basic services, allowing the administrator to diagnose and repair the system. This is the proper GRUB kernel parameter for systemd-based distributions to enter a rescue shell without fully booting into the default multi-user or graphical target.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
single
Why it's wrong here
Legacy runlevel, not the preferred systemd method.
- ✗
init=/bin/bash
Why it's wrong here
Bypasses init, not recommended for rescue.
- ✓
systemd.unit=rescue.target
Why this is correct
Boots into systemd rescue target.
- ✗
quiet splash
Why it's wrong here
Hides boot messages, does not change runlevel.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
User
A user is any person, system, or device that interacts with an IT service, resource, or identity system, typically authenticated through credentials and authorized to perform specific actions.
Key term
GRUB
GRUB (Grand Unified Bootloader) is a boot loader package that loads and manages the operating system startup process on Linux and other Unix-like 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.