Quick Answer
The answer is `du -sh /*`, because when `df -h` reports the root filesystem at 100% capacity, the immediate next step is to identify which top-level directories are consuming the most space. The `du -sh /*` command calculates and displays the disk usage of every directory directly under `/`, allowing an administrator to quickly pinpoint space hogs like `/var/log` or `/tmp` before drilling down further. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this tests your understanding of the standard troubleshooting workflow: first check disk usage with `df`, then investigate with `du`. A common trap is running `du -sh /` instead, which sums the entire filesystem and gives a misleading total; the `/*` wildcard is critical to show each directory separately. Remember the mnemonic “Double-U Slash Star” — when your root is full, use `du -sh /*` to see where the trouble really is.
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of troubleshooting. 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.
Refer to the exhibit. $ df -h Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on /dev/sda1 20G 20G 0 100% / /dev/sda2 50G 10G 40G 20% /home tmpfs 1.9G 1.2M 1.9G 1% /tmp
The output of df -h shows the root filesystem at 100% capacity. Which of the following commands should the administrator run NEXT to identify the cause?
Refer to the exhibit. $ df -h Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on /dev/sda1 20G 20G 0 100% / /dev/sda2 50G 10G 40G 20% /home tmpfs 1.9G 1.2M 1.9G 1% /tmp
fdisk -l /dev/sda
Why wrong: Shows partition table, not file usage.
fsck /dev/sda1
Why wrong: Checks filesystem integrity, not space usage.
ls -la /
Why wrong: Lists files but not sizes.
du -sh /*
Shows directory sizes to find space hogs.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
du -sh /*
The `du -sh /*` command calculates and displays the disk usage of each top-level directory in the root filesystem. When `df -h` shows 100% capacity, the next logical step is to identify which directories are consuming the most space, so the administrator can drill down further. This command is the standard tool for pinpointing space hogs before taking corrective action.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
fdisk -l /dev/sda
Why it's wrong here
Shows partition table, not file usage.
fsck /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
Checks filesystem integrity, not space usage.
ls -la /
Why it's wrong here
Lists files but not sizes.
du -sh /*
Why this is correct
Shows directory sizes to find space hogs.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
CompTIA often tests the distinction between listing files (`ls`) and measuring disk usage (`du`), trapping candidates who think `ls -la /` will reveal space consumption when it only shows metadata and not recursive sizes.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows partition table, not file usage.
Detailed technical explanation
The `du` command traverses the filesystem inode tree, summing the allocated blocks for each file and directory. Using the `-s` flag provides a total for each argument, and `-h` converts block counts to human-readable units (e.g., GiB). In practice, common space hogs include `/var/log` (rotated logs), `/tmp` (stale temporary files), or `/home` (user data). The `/*` glob expands to all top-level directories, but note that it may exclude hidden directories like `/root` or `/lost+found`; a more thorough approach would use `du -sh /[a-zA-Z]* /.[a-zA-Z]*` or `du -shx /` to stay within the same filesystem.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Troubleshooting — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Troubleshooting — This question tests Troubleshooting — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: du -sh /* — The `du -sh /*` command calculates and displays the disk usage of each top-level directory in the root filesystem. When `df -h` shows 100% capacity, the next logical step is to identify which directories are consuming the most space, so the administrator can drill down further. This command is the standard tool for pinpointing space hogs before taking corrective action.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 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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