Question 134 of 750

Linux Commands and File Permissions →mediumMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

How to Find Files Modified in the Last 24 Hours in Linux

This 220-1202 practice question tests your understanding of linux commands and file permissions. 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.

A system administrator needs to find all files in /var/log that have been modified in the last 24 hours to check for recent activity. Which command accomplishes this?

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
find /var/log -mtime -1
This correctly finds files modified within the last 24 hours using -mtime -1.
B
find /var/log -atime -1
Why wrong: This finds files accessed, not modified, in the last 24 hours, which is not the requirement.
C
find /var/log -ctime -1
Why wrong: This finds files with changed status (metadata) in the last 24 hours, not content modification.
D
find /var/log -mmin -1440
Why wrong: This would work but uses minutes; -mtime -1 is more standard for daily checks, and -mmin -1440 is equivalent but less common.

Full breakdown with real-world context →

Quick Answer

The answer is find /var/log -mtime -1. This command is correct because the -mtime flag in the find utility searches for files based on their last modification time, and using a negative number with -mtime, such as -1, means “modified less than 1 day ago,” effectively finding files changed within the last 24 hours. On the CompTIA A+ Core 2 220-1202 exam, this question tests your understanding of Linux file management and the find command’s time-based options, often appearing in troubleshooting scenarios where you need to locate recent log entries. A common trap is confusing -mtime with -ctime (change time) or -atime (access time), or forgetting that a positive number (e.g., +1) finds files older than one day, not newer. To remember: think of the minus sign as “minus time” or “less than” — so -1 means “less than one day ago,” perfect for finding files modified in the last 24 hours.

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 /var/log -mtime -1

The correct answer is A because the `find` command with `-mtime -1` searches for files whose content (modification time) was changed within the last 24 hours. This is exactly what the administrator needs to check for recent activity in /var/log.

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.

✓
find /var/log -mtime -1
Why this is correct
This correctly finds files modified within the last 24 hours using -mtime -1.
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.
✗
find /var/log -atime -1
Why it's wrong here
This finds files accessed, not modified, in the last 24 hours, which is not the requirement.
✗
find /var/log -ctime -1
Why it's wrong here
This finds files with changed status (metadata) in the last 24 hours, not content modification.
✗
find /var/log -mmin -1440
Why it's wrong here
This would work but uses minutes; -mtime -1 is more standard for daily checks, and -mmin -1440 is equivalent but less common.

Common exam traps

Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword

CompTIA often tests the distinction between `-mtime` (modification), `-atime` (access), and `-ctime` (inode change), and candidates frequently confuse `-ctime` with content modification or pick `-atime` thinking 'activity' includes reads.

Detailed technical explanation

How to think about this question

The `-mtime` option uses a 24-hour period from the current time, where `-1` means 'less than 1 day ago' (i.e., within the last 24 hours). Under the hood, `find` compares the file's modification timestamp (st_mtime) against the current system time minus the specified number of days, using integer arithmetic that truncates fractional days. In real-world scenarios, using `-mmin` can be more precise for sub-day intervals, but `-mtime` is the standard for full-day ranges.

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 /var/log -mtime -1 — The correct answer is A because the `find` command with `-mtime -1` searches for files whose content (modification time) was changed within the last 24 hours. This is exactly what the administrator needs to check for recent activity in /var/log.

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.

About these practice questions

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Same concept, more angles

2 more ways this is tested on 220-1202

These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.

Variation 1. A junior admin needs to list all files in /var/log that were modified in the last 24 hours. Which command accomplishes this?

easy

A.ls -la /var/log | grep '24 hours'
✓ B.find /var/log -mtime 0
C.find /var/log -atime 0
D.locate /var/log | sort -m

Why B: Option B is correct because the `find` command with `-mtime 0` searches for files whose modification time is within the last 24 hours. The `-mtime` argument uses a 24-hour period, where `0` means modified less than 24 hours ago, making it the precise tool for this task.

Variation 2. 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?

hard

A.ls -laR --time-style=full-iso | grep '2025-03-21'
✓ B.find . -mtime -1 -ls
C.stat * .* | grep Modify
D.find . -newer /tmp/ref -ls

Why B: 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.

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