- A
graphical.target
Why wrong: graphical.target starts full GUI with network.
- B
rescue.target
Correct: rescue.target provides a minimal environment with network disabled.
- C
poweroff.target
Why wrong: poweroff.target shuts down the system.
- D
multi-user.target
Why wrong: multi-user.target includes network services.
- E
emergency.target
Correct: emergency.target is even more minimal than rescue, with very few services.
Question 368 of 1,000
XK0-005 System Management Practice Question
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of system management. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
An administrator wants to change the runlevel/target to a state where only a minimal set of processes is running, and network services are disabled. Which two systemd targets achieve this? (Choose two.)
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
✓
rescue.target
Option B (rescue.target) is correct because it boots the system into a single-user mode with a minimal set of processes and no network services, allowing administrative tasks like filesystem repairs. Option E (emergency.target) is correct because it starts an even more minimal environment with only a root shell on the console, also disabling network services. Both targets satisfy the requirement of minimal processes and disabled networking.
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.
- ✗
graphical.target
Why it's wrong here
graphical.target starts full GUI with network.
- ✓
rescue.target
Why this is correct
Correct: rescue.target provides a minimal environment with network disabled.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
poweroff.target
Why it's wrong here
poweroff.target shuts down the system.
- ✗
multi-user.target
Why it's wrong here
multi-user.target includes network services.
- ✓
emergency.target
Why this is correct
Correct: emergency.target is even more minimal than rescue, with very few services.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse rescue.target with multi-user.target, thinking that disabling networking means any non-graphical target, but multi-user.target still enables network services by default.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under systemd, rescue.target is equivalent to the traditional runlevel 1 (single-user mode) and mounts all local filesystems but does not start network services, while emergency.target mounts only the root filesystem as read-only and drops to a root shell without any daemons. In practice, rescue.target is used for troubleshooting when network services are unnecessary, and emergency.target is reserved for critical recovery scenarios where even the journal is unavailable.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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: rescue.target — Option B (rescue.target) is correct because it boots the system into a single-user mode with a minimal set of processes and no network services, allowing administrative tasks like filesystem repairs. Option E (emergency.target) is correct because it starts an even more minimal environment with only a root shell on the console, also disabling network services. Both targets satisfy the requirement of minimal processes and disabled networking.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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