Quick Answer
The answer is both `more` and `less`. These two commands are the standard pager utilities on Linux systems, designed specifically to view a file page by page, pausing after each screenful of content so you can read without the text scrolling past. The core technical difference is that `more` only allows forward navigation, while `less` provides full backward scrolling and search capabilities, making it the more powerful tool. On the CompTIA Linux+ XK0-005 exam, this question tests your understanding of basic file viewing commands and their practical differences; a common trap is assuming only `less` qualifies because it is more feature-rich, but the exam explicitly accepts both as correct for page-by-page viewing. To remember this, think of the phrase “more is less, but less is more”—`more` is the older, simpler tool, while `less` offers more functionality, yet both serve the same core purpose of paging through output.
This XK0-005 practice question tests your understanding of scripting, containers and automation. 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.
Which TWO commands are used to view a file page by page?
tail
Why wrong: tail shows the last 10 lines by default, not page by page.
more
more displays a file page by page.
cat
Why wrong: cat outputs the entire file continuously.
head
Why wrong: head shows the first 10 lines by default, not page by page.
less
less is an improved pager that also shows content page by page.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
more
The `more` and `less` commands are both pager utilities that display file contents one screen at a time, allowing the user to scroll forward (and in the case of `less`, backward) through the output. `more` is the traditional pager that pauses after each screenful, while `less` is a more feature-rich pager that supports backward navigation and searching. Both are correct for viewing a file page by page.
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.
tail
Why it's wrong here
tail shows the last 10 lines by default, not page by page.
more
Why this is correct
more displays a file page by page.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
cat
Why it's wrong here
cat outputs the entire file continuously.
head
Why it's wrong here
head shows the first 10 lines by default, not page by page.
less
Why this is correct
less is an improved pager that also shows content page by page.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse `more` and `less` as being mutually exclusive or think only one is correct, but the question asks for TWO commands, and both are valid pagers; also, some might mistakenly think `cat` with a pipe to `more` or `less` counts, but the question asks for commands used directly to view a file page by page.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
tail shows the last 10 lines by default, not page by page.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, `more` uses the terminal's termcap/terminfo database to control screen output and typically reads the file in chunks, displaying one screenful at a time and waiting for user input (e.g., spacebar for next page). `less` is a more advanced pager that uses the `ncurses` library for terminal handling, supports both forward and backward scrolling, and can even read from pipes or search with regular expressions. In real-world scenarios, `less` is often preferred for log file analysis because it allows you to scroll back to review earlier output without re-running the command.
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.
Scripting, Containers and Automation — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Scripting, Containers and Automation — This question tests Scripting, Containers and Automation — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: more — The `more` and `less` commands are both pager utilities that display file contents one screen at a time, allowing the user to scroll forward (and in the case of `less`, backward) through the output. `more` is the traditional pager that pauses after each screenful, while `less` is a more feature-rich pager that supports backward navigation and searching. Both are correct for viewing a file page by page.
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 25, 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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