- A
du -h
Correct: du -h displays disk usage for directories in human-readable format.
- B
fdisk -l
Why wrong: fdisk shows partition table, not disk usage.
- C
ls -lh
Why wrong: ls -lh shows file sizes, not cumulative directory usage.
- D
df -h
Why wrong: df shows filesystem disk space usage, not directory sizes.
Question 918 of 1,000
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.
Which command will display the disk usage of each directory in the current directory, in human-readable format?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
✓
du -h
The `du -h` command displays disk usage for each directory in the current directory, with the `-h` flag converting sizes into human-readable formats (e.g., K, M, G). This is the correct tool for per-directory disk usage reporting.
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.
- ✓
du -h
Why this is correct
Correct: du -h displays disk usage for directories in human-readable format.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
fdisk -l
Why it's wrong here
fdisk shows partition table, not disk usage.
- ✗
ls -lh
Why it's wrong here
ls -lh shows file sizes, not cumulative directory usage.
- ✗
df -h
Why it's wrong here
df shows filesystem disk space usage, not directory sizes.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse `df -h` (filesystem-level usage) with `du -h` (directory-level usage), often picking `df -h` because it also shows human-readable output.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
fdisk shows partition table, not disk usage.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `du` command traverses the directory tree using the `stat()` system call to sum the `st_blocks` field (typically 512-byte blocks) for each file, then converts to human-readable units with `-h`. A subtle behavior is that `du` by default counts the apparent size of each file, not the actual disk blocks consumed, unless `--apparent-size` is used; this matters when sparse files or compression are involved.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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System Management — study guide chapter
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System Management practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this XK0-005 question test?
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: du -h — The `du -h` command displays disk usage for each directory in the current directory, with the `-h` flag converting sizes into human-readable formats (e.g., K, M, G). This is the correct tool for per-directory disk usage reporting.
What should I do if I get this XK0-005 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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