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.
Exhibit
# cat /etc/fstab
UUID=1234-5678 / ext4 defaults 1 1
UUID=abcd-ef01 /boot ext4 defaults 1 2
UUID=9012-3456 /home xfs defaults 0 0
UUID=7890-1234 /var ext4 defaults 1 2
# mount -a
mount: /var: mount point does not exist.
# ls -ld /var
ls: cannot access '/var': No such file or directory
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator attempts to mount all filesystems and receives an error. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
# cat /etc/fstab
UUID=1234-5678 / ext4 defaults 1 1
UUID=abcd-ef01 /boot ext4 defaults 1 2
UUID=9012-3456 /home xfs defaults 0 0
UUID=7890-1234 /var ext4 defaults 1 2
# mount -a
mount: /var: mount point does not exist.
# ls -ld /var
ls: cannot access '/var': No such file or directory
A
The /var entry has a wrong filesystem type.
Why wrong: Wrong type would produce a 'wrong fs type' error, not missing mount point.
B
The UUID for /var is incorrect in fstab.
Why wrong: The error says mount point does not exist, not invalid UUID.
C
The /var directory has been deleted or is missing.
The error 'mount point does not exist' and 'No such file or directory' for /var indicate the directory is missing.
D
The /var filesystem is corrupted.
Why wrong: Filesystem corruption would cause a different error, not 'mount point does not exist'.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The /var directory has been deleted or is missing.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
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.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The /var entry has a wrong filesystem type.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong type would produce a 'wrong fs type' error, not missing mount point.
✗
The UUID for /var is incorrect in fstab.
Why it's wrong here
The error says mount point does not exist, not invalid UUID.
✓
The /var directory has been deleted or is missing.
Why this is correct
The error 'mount point does not exist' and 'No such file or directory' for /var indicate the directory is missing.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The /var filesystem is corrupted.
Why it's wrong here
Filesystem corruption would cause a different error, not 'mount point does not exist'.
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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this XK0-005 question in full detail.
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.
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: The /var directory has been deleted or is missing.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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