The correct command is `find /home -user alice -mtime -7 -exec tar -rf alice_recent.tar.gz {} +`, because it combines the `-user` and `-mtime` predicates to precisely locate files owned by a specific user and modified within the last seven days, then uses `-exec` with the `+` terminator to pass all found files efficiently to `tar -rf`, which appends them to the archive (or creates it if missing). On the LFCS exam, this tests your ability to chain `find` filters with `-exec` for bulk archiving, a common real-world task for system administrators. A frequent trap is using `-mtime +7` (files older than 7 days) instead of `-mtime -7`, or forgetting that `tar -r` requires an existing archive to append to—though `tar` will create one if it doesn’t exist. Memory tip: think “minus seven means less than seven days ago,” and remember that `{} +` is your friend for batching many files without hitting argument limits.
LFCS Essential Commands Practice Question
This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of essential commands. 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 /home that are owned by user 'alice' and have been modified in the last 7 days. The administrator then wants to compress those files into a single archive named alice_recent.tar.gz. Which of the following commands accomplishes this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
find /home -user alice -mtime -7 -exec tar -rf alice_recent.tar.gz {} +
Option A is correct because it uses `find` with `-user alice` and `-mtime -7` to locate files owned by alice modified within the last 7 days, then executes `tar -rf` with `{} +` to append those files to an archive. The `-r` flag appends files to an existing archive (or creates one if it doesn't exist), and `{} +` efficiently passes multiple filenames to a single `tar` invocation, avoiding command-line length limits.
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 /home -user alice -mtime -7 -exec tar -rf alice_recent.tar.gz {} +
Why this is correct
Correctly appends found files to a tar archive (creates if not exists). Then compress: gzip alice_recent.tar.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
tar -czf alice_recent.tar.gz -T <(find /home -user alice -mtime -7)
Why it's wrong here
The syntax -T expects a file, not a process substitution; this may work on some shells but is not portable.
✗
find /home -user alice -mtime -7 | tar -cvf alice_recent.tar.gz
Why it's wrong here
tar -cvf expects file arguments, not stdin; this will create an empty archive or error.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume `tar` can read filenames from stdin via pipe without the `-T` option, or they confuse `cpio` with `tar` formats, leading them to choose options that produce incorrect archive types or fail to include the files.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `find -exec ... {} +` syntax collects filenames into a buffer and executes the command once with as many arguments as possible, which is more efficient than `{} \;` (one command per file). The `tar -r` (append) mode is less commonly used than `-c` (create), but it's essential here because `find` may return many files and you want to add them all to a single archive without overwriting previous additions. In real-world scenarios, administrators often combine `find` with `tar` using `-T` for better control, but `-exec tar -rf` is a classic one-liner that works reliably across systems.
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: find /home -user alice -mtime -7 -exec tar -rf alice_recent.tar.gz {} + — Option A is correct because it uses `find` with `-user alice` and `-mtime -7` to locate files owned by alice modified within the last 7 days, then executes `tar -rf` with `{} +` to append those files to an archive. The `-r` flag appends files to an existing archive (or creates one if it doesn't exist), and `{} +` efficiently passes multiple filenames to a single `tar` invocation, avoiding command-line length limits.
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.
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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