This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of essential commands. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 backup script must create a compressed archive of the /etc directory, preserving file permissions and timestamps. Which command should be used?
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
tar -czvf backup.tar.gz /etc
Option D is correct because the `tar -czvf` command creates a compressed archive (via gzip) that preserves file permissions and timestamps by default when run as root. The `-c` flag creates the archive, `-z` compresses it with gzip, `-v` provides verbose output, and `-f` specifies the archive filename. Tar is the standard Unix tool for bundling files into a single archive while retaining metadata like ownership, permissions, and timestamps.
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.
✗
gzip -r /etc > backup.tar.gz
Why it's wrong here
gzip compresses individual files recursively but does not create an archive.
✗
cpio -ov < /etc > backup.cpio
Why it's wrong here
cpio requires additional options to preserve permissions and does not produce a single archive file easily.
✗
rsync -av /etc /backup/etc
Why it's wrong here
rsync is for mirroring or transferring files, not creating a standalone archive.
✓
tar -czvf backup.tar.gz /etc
Why this is correct
tar with -czvf creates a gzipped archive preserving permissions and timestamps.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse `gzip` (which compresses individual files) with `tar` (which archives directories), or they think `rsync` creates an archive file when it actually creates a directory copy, not a compressed archive.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `tar` command stores file metadata in a header block per file, including the `st_mode` (permissions), `st_uid`/`st_gid` (ownership), and `st_mtime` (modification time) from the inode. When combined with gzip (`-z`), the entire tar stream is compressed using DEFLATE algorithm, producing a .tar.gz file. In real-world backup scripts, using `tar -czvf` is preferred over `rsync` when a single, portable archive file is needed for offsite storage or versioning, as it bundles everything into one file that can be easily transferred and extracted elsewhere.
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 LFCS 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.
Essential Commands — This question tests Essential Commands — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: tar -czvf backup.tar.gz /etc — Option D is correct because the `tar -czvf` command creates a compressed archive (via gzip) that preserves file permissions and timestamps by default when run as root. The `-c` flag creates the archive, `-z` compresses it with gzip, `-v` provides verbose output, and `-f` specifies the archive filename. Tar is the standard Unix tool for bundling files into a single archive while retaining metadata like ownership, permissions, and timestamps.
What should I do if I get this LFCS 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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Question Discussion
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