LFCS Service Configuration Practice Question
To check the details of a failed systemd service unit, including the last log entries, which command is most appropriate?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse `systemctl is-failed` (which only checks the failure state) with `systemctl status` (which provides both the state and the logs), leading them to choose a command that gives insufficient diagnostic information for the question's requirement of 'including the last log entries'.
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
✓
systemctl status service
`systemctl status service` is the most appropriate command because it displays the current state of the service unit, including whether it is active, failed, or inactive, along with the last several log entries from the journal for that unit. This provides both the failure status and the contextual log output needed to diagnose why the service failed, all in a single command.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
systemctl status service
Why this is correct
Shows current state and last log lines.
- ✗
systemctl list-units --failed
Why it's wrong here
Lists failed units but does not show logs.
- ✗
systemctl is-failed service
Why it's wrong here
Only returns exit status, no logs.
- ✗
systemctl show service
Why it's wrong here
Shows properties, not recent logs.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.