LFCS Operation of Running Systems Practice Question
Which command shows the default target for systemd?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently 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.
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 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.
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 show default
Why it's wrong here
systemctl show default prints properties of a unit literally named default, not the configured default target. It tempts because show is a genuine systemctl verb for inspecting unit properties, and would be correct when querying a specific unit's settings.
- ✗
systemctl list-default
Why it's wrong here
`systemctl list-default` is not a valid systemctl subcommand, so it returns an error rather than any target information. It is tempting because `list-` prefixes genuinely exist for enumerating units, as in `systemctl list-units` or `systemctl list-dependencies`, which would suit queries about active units or dependency trees.
- ✓
systemctl get-default
Why this is correct
`systemctl get-default` queries systemd's default target directly, printing the target name that `default.target` symlinks to, such as `graphical.target` or `multi-user.target`. This satisfies the stem's requirement to show, rather than change, the boot default, unlike `systemctl isolate` or `set-default`, which alter runtime or persistent state.
- ✗
systemctl default
Why it's wrong here
systemctl default switches the system into the default target rather than reporting which one is configured. It tempts because default is a real systemctl subcommand, and would be correct when the goal is to activate that target, not display it.
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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.