LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
A Linux administrator wants to update the local package index from all configured repositories on an Ubuntu system. Which command accomplishes this?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse `apt update` (which updates the package index) with `apt upgrade` (which upgrades installed packages), a common mix-up that leads candidates to choose the upgrade command instead of the index refresh command.
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 update
The `apt update` command (equivalent to `apt-get update`) refreshes the local package index by downloading the latest package lists from all repositories defined in `/etc/apt/sources.list` and `/etc/apt/sources.list.d/`. This is the prerequisite step before any installation or upgrade, ensuring the system knows about the newest available versions and dependencies.
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 --configure -a
Why it's wrong here
This configures unpacked packages, not the index.
- ✗
apt upgrade
Why it's wrong here
This upgrades installed packages, not the index.
- ✗
apt-get install
Why it's wrong here
This installs packages.
- ✓
apt update
Why this is correct
This updates the package index.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
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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.