XK0-006 Automation, Orchestration, and Scripting Practice Question
In a Bash script, what is the correct way to check if a file named '/etc/passwd' exists and is a regular file?
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
✓
if [ -f /etc/passwd ]
The -f file test operator returns true if the file exists and is a regular file.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
if [ -r /etc/passwd ]
Why it's wrong here
-r checks if file is readable.
- ✗
if [ -e /etc/passwd ]
Why it's wrong here
-e checks existence only, not if it's a regular file.
- ✗
if [ -s /etc/passwd ]
Why it's wrong here
-s checks if file exists and is non-empty.
- ✓
if [ -f /etc/passwd ]
Why this is correct
-f checks if the file exists and is a regular file.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
File Permissions and Ownership
Key term
Bash script
A Bash script is a text file containing a sequence of commands for the Unix shell Bash, allowing users to automate repetitive tasks and streamline system administration on Linux and macOS.
Key term
passwd
passwd is a command-line utility used on Linux and Unix-like systems to change a user's password, typically stored in an encrypted format in the /etc/shadow file.
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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.