- A
The resize2fs command was run without the device path; it requires the mount point.
Why wrong: resize2fs accepts either device path or mount point.
- B
The volume group does not have enough free extents; the lvextend failed silently.
Why wrong: lvextend would report an error if no free space.
- C
The filesystem is not ext4; it is XFS, which requires xfs_growfs.
Correct: XFS uses xfs_growfs, not resize2fs.
- D
The logical volume was not properly extended; need to use pvresize.
Why wrong: pvresize is needed on the PV only if the underlying disk changed; not here.
Question 303 of 513
LFCS Storage Management Practice Question
This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of storage management. 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 increase the size of an existing filesystem mounted at /var/www. The filesystem resides on a logical volume /dev/vg_web/lv_web. The volume group has free space. The administrator runs: lvextend -L +5G /dev/vg_web/lv_web, and then resize2fs /dev/vg_web/lv_web. The commands complete without error, but df shows the filesystem size did not change. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
✓
The filesystem is not ext4; it is XFS, which requires xfs_growfs.
The `resize2fs` command is specific to ext2, ext3, and ext4 filesystems. Since the filesystem is mounted at /var/www and the `lvextend` succeeded, the most likely reason `df` shows no change is that the filesystem is XFS, which requires the `xfs_growfs` command to resize online. XFS does not use `resize2fs`, and running it on an XFS filesystem would either fail silently or have no effect.
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.
- ✗
The resize2fs command was run without the device path; it requires the mount point.
Why it's wrong here
resize2fs accepts either device path or mount point.
- ✗
The volume group does not have enough free extents; the lvextend failed silently.
Why it's wrong here
lvextend would report an error if no free space.
- ✓
The filesystem is not ext4; it is XFS, which requires xfs_growfs.
Why this is correct
Correct: XFS uses xfs_growfs, not resize2fs.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The logical volume was not properly extended; need to use pvresize.
Why it's wrong here
pvresize is needed on the PV only if the underlying disk changed; not here.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume all Linux filesystems use `resize2fs`, but the LFCS exam specifically tests the difference between ext4 and XFS resizing commands, and the silent failure of `resize2fs` on XFS leads to the symptom described.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
XFS filesystems use a different on-disk structure than ext4 and require the `xfs_growfs` command to expand the filesystem to match the enlarged logical volume. Unlike `resize2fs`, which can be run offline or online for ext4, `xfs_growfs` only works on mounted filesystems and does not accept a size argument; it grows to the full available space. In real-world scenarios, forgetting to check the filesystem type before resizing is a common pitfall, especially when migrating from ext4 to XFS for better scalability.
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.
- →
Storage Management — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LFCS question test?
Storage Management — This question tests Storage Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The filesystem is not ext4; it is XFS, which requires xfs_growfs. — The `resize2fs` command is specific to ext2, ext3, and ext4 filesystems. Since the filesystem is mounted at /var/www and the `lvextend` succeeded, the most likely reason `df` shows no change is that the filesystem is XFS, which requires the `xfs_growfs` command to resize online. XFS does not use `resize2fs`, and running it on an XFS filesystem would either fail silently or have no effect.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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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