- A
bob ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL
Grants password-less sudo for all commands.
- B
bob ALL=(ALL) PASSWD: ALL
Why wrong: PASSWD is not a valid keyword; it's implied by default.
- C
bob ALL=(root) NOPASSWD: ALL
Why wrong: Same effect but (root) limits to running as root only, but (ALL) is standard and includes root. Both work but B is typical.
- D
bob ALL=(ALL) ALL
Why wrong: Requires password.
LFCS User and Group Management Practice Question
This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of user and group management. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
An administrator needs to grant a user 'bob' the ability to run all commands as root without a password prompt. Which configuration in /etc/sudoers accomplishes this?
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
bob ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL
Option A is correct because the sudoers entry `bob ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL` grants user bob the ability to run any command as any user (including root) on any host without being prompted for a password. The `NOPASSWD` tag overrides the default password requirement, and `ALL` in the runas list and command list provides unrestricted access.
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.
- ✓
bob ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL
Why this is correct
Grants password-less sudo for all commands.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
bob ALL=(ALL) PASSWD: ALL
Why it's wrong here
PASSWD is not a valid keyword; it's implied by default.
- ✗
bob ALL=(root) NOPASSWD: ALL
Why it's wrong here
Same effect but (root) limits to running as root only, but (ALL) is standard and includes root. Both work but B is typical.
- ✗
bob ALL=(ALL) ALL
Why it's wrong here
Requires password.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The common pitfalls are: (1) Thinking that the runas list must be set to the specific target user (e.g., root) rather than using ALL, so option C seems correct but actually restricts the user to only running commands as root. (2) Forgetting that without the NOPASSWD tag, sudo will prompt for a password, making option D incorrect for the no-password requirement. (3) Assuming that the PASSWD tag in option B might be a valid alternative, but PASSWD is a real tag that explicitly requires a password, so it does not satisfy the no-password condition.
Trap categories for this question
Keyword trap
PASSWD is not a valid keyword; it's implied by default.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The sudoers file uses a tag-based syntax where `NOPASSWD` and `PASSWD` are tags that modify the authentication behavior for the following command list. When `NOPASSWD` is placed before the command list, it disables password prompting for that specific set of commands; if omitted, the default behavior (requiring a password) applies. In real-world scenarios, granting `NOPASSWD: ALL` is often used for automation scripts or service accounts, but it should be used sparingly due to security implications, as it removes all authentication barriers.
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.
- →
User and Group 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?
User and Group Management — This question tests User and Group Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: bob ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL — Option A is correct because the sudoers entry `bob ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL` grants user bob the ability to run any command as any user (including root) on any host without being prompted for a password. The `NOPASSWD` tag overrides the default password requirement, and `ALL` in the runas list and command list provides unrestricted access.
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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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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