The correct first step is to unmount the /home filesystem. This is essential because extending an LVM filesystem safely requires that the filesystem be in a consistent state, and unmounting prevents any active writes or data corruption during the resize operation. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your understanding of the proper LVM workflow: unmount first, then extend the logical volume with lvextend, and finally resize the filesystem with resize2fs or xfs_growfs. A common trap is jumping straight to lvextend without unmounting, which can lead to filesystem errors. Remember the mnemonic “Unmount, Extend, Resize” (U-E-R) to lock in the correct sequence.
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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Filesystem Size Used Avail Use% Mounted on
/dev/sda1 976M 120M 789M 14% /boot
/dev/mapper/vg-root 18G 5.2G 12G 31% /
tmpfs 1.9G 0 1.9G 0% /dev/shm
/dev/mapper/vg-home 2.0G 1.9G 68M 97% /home
The /home partition is nearly full. The administrator wants to increase the size of the home filesystem. Which action should be taken first?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Unmount the /home filesystem
Option C is correct. For safety, the filesystem should be unmounted before extending the logical volume and resizing the filesystem. Option A and B are steps after unmounting. Option D is unnecessary unless there is no free space in the volume group.
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.
✓
Unmount the /home filesystem
Why this is correct
Unmounting ensures no writes occur during the resize process, minimizing risk of data corruption.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Use resize2fs on /dev/mapper/vg-home
Why it's wrong here
resize2fs resizes the filesystem but is done after extending the logical volume; also, it requires the filesystem to be prepared.
✗
Use lvextend to extend the logical volume
Why it's wrong here
lvextend extends the logical volume but should be done after unmounting for data integrity, though online resizing is possible.
✗
Add a new disk to the volume group
Why it's wrong here
This may be necessary if no free space exists, but it is not the first step; checking existing free space is more immediate.
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: Unmount the /home filesystem — Option C is correct. For safety, the filesystem should be unmounted before extending the logical volume and resizing the filesystem. Option A and B are steps after unmounting. Option D is unnecessary unless there is no free space in the volume group.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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