This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of operation of running systems. 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 shows the default target for systemd?
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.
systemctl show default
Why wrong: Shows properties of default unit, not target.
systemctl list-default
Why wrong: No such command.
systemctl get-default
Correct command to show default target.
systemctl default
Why wrong: Incorrect.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
systemctl get-default
The correct command to display the default target (the systemd unit that the system boots into by default) is `systemctl get-default`. This command reads the symlink at `/etc/systemd/system/default.target` and outputs its target, such as `multi-user.target` or `graphical.target`. Option C is correct because it directly queries systemd for the current default boot target.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
systemctl show default
Why it's wrong here
Shows properties of default unit, not target.
systemctl list-default
Why it's wrong here
No such command.
systemctl get-default
Why this is correct
Correct command to show default target.
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.
systemctl default
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse `systemctl get-default` with `systemctl default` (which activates the default target) or with non-existent commands like `systemctl list-default`, leading them to pick a plausible-sounding but incorrect option.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows properties of default unit, not target.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, `systemctl get-default` reads the symbolic link `/etc/systemd/system/default.target`, which points to a target unit file such as `/usr/lib/systemd/system/multi-user.target`. This target determines the set of services and other units that start at boot. A real-world scenario: if you change the default target to `rescue.target` for troubleshooting, you can verify the change with `systemctl get-default` before rebooting to ensure the system will boot into the correct state.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Operation of Running Systems — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Operation of Running Systems — This question tests Operation of Running Systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: systemctl get-default — The correct command to display the default target (the systemd unit that the system boots into by default) is `systemctl get-default`. This command reads the symlink at `/etc/systemd/system/default.target` and outputs its target, such as `multi-user.target` or `graphical.target`. Option C is correct because it directly queries systemd for the current default boot target.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This LFCS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Linux Foundation 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 LFCS exam.
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