LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
A Linux administrator needs to install a single Debian package file named 'custom-tool_2.1.0_amd64.deb' that was downloaded from a vendor's website. The package has several dependencies that are not currently installed, and the administrator wants the package manager to automatically resolve and install those dependencies from the configured repositories. Which command should the administrator use?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is assuming that dpkg -i automatically resolves dependencies from repositories, when it only installs the local package and reports missing dependencies.
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
✓
apt install ./custom-tool_2.1.0_amd64.deb
The correct approach is to use apt install with the local .deb file path, as apt can handle both local package installation and dependency resolution from repositories. Using dpkg alone would install the package but leave dependencies unresolved, while forcing installation ignores the problem. Using apt-get with just the package name would fail because the package is not in a repository.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
dpkg --install --force-depends custom-tool_2.1.0_amd64.deb
Why it's wrong here
The --force-depends option forces installation despite unmet dependencies, which can leave the system in a broken state. It does not resolve dependencies from repositories, so it does not achieve the goal of automatic dependency resolution and proper configuration.
- ✗
apt-get install custom-tool
Why it's wrong here
apt-get install with a package name will attempt to install from repositories, but the custom-tool package is not available in the configured repositories; it is a local file. This command would fail unless the package is in a repository, which it is not.
- ✓
apt install ./custom-tool_2.1.0_amd64.deb
Why this is correct
apt install with a local .deb file path (prefixed with ./) will install the package and automatically resolve and install its dependencies from configured repositories. This is the modern method that combines local installation with dependency resolution, satisfying the administrator's need.
- ✗
dpkg -i custom-tool_2.1.0_amd64.deb
Why it's wrong here
dpkg -i installs a local .deb file but does not resolve dependencies from repositories; it will report missing dependencies and leave the package unconfigured. This does not meet the requirement to automatically install dependencies, so it fails the scenario.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official LPI exam blueprint
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI 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 LPIC-1 exam.