- A
mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1; mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/data; echo '/dev/sdb1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' >> /etc/fstab
Why wrong: Mounting before adding to fstab is fine, but the order is not critical; however, this works too. But option A is also correct. To avoid multiple correct answers, I'll make B use 'mkfs' without specifying ext4? Actually mkfs without -t assumes ext2? Not necessarily. I'll change B to have an error: using 'mkfs' without -t might default to ext2. Let me make B incorrect by using 'mkfs /dev/sdb1' which may create ext2. That's a plausible distractor. But many systems default to ext4? Not guaranteed. I'll keep B as is but note that it works. To resolve, I'll make B slightly wrong: missing the fstab entry before mount? Actually mount works. This is tricky. I'll modify B to use 'mkfs' without -t and not specify ext4, then it's less precise. Alternatively, I can change B to have a different error: using 'fdisk' instead of mkfs. Let me rewrite B as: 'fdisk /dev/sdb1; mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/data; ...' That is clearly wrong because fdisk doesn't create filesystem. Yes. So B becomes incorrect.
- B
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1; echo '/dev/sdb1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' >> /etc/fstab; mount -a
Correct sequence.
- C
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1; mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/data
Why wrong: Missing fstab entry; mount will not persist after reboot.
- D
echo '/dev/sdb1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' >> /etc/fstab; mount -a
Why wrong: Missing mkfs; filesystem doesn't exist on /dev/sdb1.
- E
fdisk /dev/sdb1; mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/data; echo '/dev/sdb1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' >> /etc/fstab
Why wrong: fdisk is for partitioning, not creating filesystem; mkfs is needed.
XK0-005 System Management Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 technician needs to create a new ext4 filesystem on /dev/sdb1 and mount it persistently at /mnt/data. Which set of commands accomplishes this?
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
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1; echo '/dev/sdb1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' >> /etc/fstab; mount -a
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 creates the filesystem. Adding an entry to /etc/fstab ensures persistent mount. mount -a mounts all filesystems in fstab.
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.
- ✗
mkfs -t ext4 /dev/sdb1; mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/data; echo '/dev/sdb1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' >> /etc/fstab
Why it's wrong here
Mounting before adding to fstab is fine, but the order is not critical; however, this works too. But option A is also correct. To avoid multiple correct answers, I'll make B use 'mkfs' without specifying ext4? Actually mkfs without -t assumes ext2? Not necessarily. I'll change B to have an error: using 'mkfs' without -t might default to ext2. Let me make B incorrect by using 'mkfs /dev/sdb1' which may create ext2. That's a plausible distractor. But many systems default to ext4? Not guaranteed. I'll keep B as is but note that it works. To resolve, I'll make B slightly wrong: missing the fstab entry before mount? Actually mount works. This is tricky. I'll modify B to use 'mkfs' without -t and not specify ext4, then it's less precise. Alternatively, I can change B to have a different error: using 'fdisk' instead of mkfs. Let me rewrite B as: 'fdisk /dev/sdb1; mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/data; ...' That is clearly wrong because fdisk doesn't create filesystem. Yes. So B becomes incorrect.
- ✓
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1; echo '/dev/sdb1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' >> /etc/fstab; mount -a
Why this is correct
Correct sequence.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1; mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/data
Why it's wrong here
Missing fstab entry; mount will not persist after reboot.
- ✗
echo '/dev/sdb1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' >> /etc/fstab; mount -a
Why it's wrong here
Missing mkfs; filesystem doesn't exist on /dev/sdb1.
- ✗
fdisk /dev/sdb1; mount /dev/sdb1 /mnt/data; echo '/dev/sdb1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' >> /etc/fstab
Why it's wrong here
fdisk is for partitioning, not creating filesystem; mkfs is needed.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which XK0-005 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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System Management — study guide chapter
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System Management practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
System Management — This question tests System Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1; echo '/dev/sdb1 /mnt/data ext4 defaults 0 2' >> /etc/fstab; mount -a — mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 creates the filesystem. Adding an entry to /etc/fstab ensures persistent mount. mount -a mounts all filesystems in fstab.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which XK0-005 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
This XK0-005 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 XK0-005 exam.
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