Question 507 of 750

Linux Commands and File Permissions →hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

220-1202 Linux Commands and File Permissions Practice Question

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of linux commands and file permissions. Examine the command output carefully: the correct answer depends on what the output actually shows, not on general recall alone. 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.

During a forensic investigation, an analyst needs to list all files in a directory that have been modified in the last 24 hours, including hidden files, and display the results with full path and timestamp. Which command should they use?

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.

A
ls -laR --time-style=full-iso | grep '2025-03-21'
Why wrong: This approach is inefficient and relies on grepping a specific date, which may not work if the date format differs or if files were modified today but not yesterday.
B
find . -mtime -1 -ls
This finds files modified within the last 24 hours and uses -ls to show full details including path and timestamp.
C
stat * .* | grep Modify
Why wrong: The stat command shows modification time but does not filter by time range; it also may not handle hidden files correctly with the wildcard.
D
find . -newer /tmp/ref -ls
Why wrong: This requires creating a reference file with a specific timestamp, which is an extra step and not as direct as -mtime.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

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

✓

find . -mtime -1 -ls

Option B is correct because the `find` command with `-mtime -1` lists files modified within the last 24 hours, and the `-ls` action displays detailed output including full path and timestamp. This approach inherently includes hidden files (those starting with a dot) because `find` traverses all directory entries by default, unlike `ls` which requires the `-a` flag to show hidden files.

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.

✗
ls -laR --time-style=full-iso | grep '2025-03-21'
Why it's wrong here
This approach is inefficient and relies on grepping a specific date, which may not work if the date format differs or if files were modified today but not yesterday.
✓
find . -mtime -1 -ls
Why this is correct
This finds files modified within the last 24 hours and uses -ls to show full details including path and timestamp.
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.
✗
stat * .* | grep Modify
Why it's wrong here
The stat command shows modification time but does not filter by time range; it also may not handle hidden files correctly with the wildcard.
✗
find . -newer /tmp/ref -ls
Why it's wrong here
This requires creating a reference file with a specific timestamp, which is an extra step and not as direct as -mtime.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA often tests the distinction between `ls` and `find` for file searches, trapping candidates who choose `ls` with `grep` because they overlook that `ls` output is static and requires manual date filtering, while `find` natively supports time-based criteria like `-mtime`.

Trap categories for this question

Command / output trap
The stat command shows modification time but does not filter by time range; it also may not handle hidden files correctly with the wildcard.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

The `find` command's `-mtime` option uses a 24-hour cycle measured from the current time, where `-mtime -1` matches files modified less than 1 day ago (i.e., within the last 24 hours). The `-ls` action is a GNU extension that outputs file details in a format similar to `ls -dils`, including inode, permissions, size, modification timestamp, and full path, making it ideal for forensic reporting. In practice, analysts often combine `find` with `-mmin` for finer granularity (e.g., `-mmin -1440` for exactly 1440 minutes), but `-mtime -1` is the standard exam-accepted approach for a 24-hour window.

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 220-1202 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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FAQ

Questions learners often ask

What does this 220-1202 question test?

Linux Commands and File Permissions — This question tests Linux Commands and File Permissions — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..

What is the correct answer to this question?

The correct answer is: find . -mtime -1 -ls — Option B is correct because the `find` command with `-mtime -1` lists files modified within the last 24 hours, and the `-ls` action displays detailed output including full path and timestamp. This approach inherently includes hidden files (those starting with a dot) because `find` traverses all directory entries by default, unlike `ls` which requires the `-a` flag to show hidden files.

What should I do if I get this 220-1202 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.

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