easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: A user cannot write to a directory that has…
A user cannot write to a directory that has permissions 755. The user is not the owner but belongs to the group. Which command would allow the user to write?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates choose chmod 777 thinking it is the only way to grant write access, overlooking that the user is already in the group and only group write permission is needed.
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
✓
chmod 770 /directory
The directory currently has permissions 755, meaning the owner has rwx (7), the group has r-x (5), and others have r-x (5). Since the user belongs to the group but is not the owner, they need group write permission. The chmod 770 command sets the group permission to rwx (7), granting the user write access while preserving owner and group ownership semantics.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
chmod 770 /directory
Why this is correct
770 adds write permission for the group, allowing the user to write.
- ✗
chmod 755 /directory
Why it's wrong here
755 is the current permission; no change.
- ✗
chmod 777 /directory
Why it's wrong here
777 gives write to everyone, including others, which is overly permissive and a security risk.
- ✗
chmod 700 /directory
Why it's wrong here
700 removes all permissions for group and others, making it worse.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
File Permissions and Ownership
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
chmod
chmod is a command in Linux and Unix-like operating systems used to change the permissions (read, write, execute) of a file or directory.
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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.