The best practice is to wrap the backup command in a script that checks if the filesystem is writable before proceeding. This approach is correct because it proactively verifies write access within the script itself, using a command like `touch /mountpoint/testfile 2>/dev/null` or parsing `/proc/mounts` to confirm the filesystem is not mounted read-only. By doing so, the script avoids unnecessary remounts or manual intervention, ensuring it only executes the backup when the filesystem is truly writable—a robust, self-contained solution. On the LPIC-1 exam, this tests your understanding of filesystem states and script-level error handling, often appearing in questions about cron job reliability or mount options. A common trap is assuming a filesystem is always writable or attempting to remount it from within the script, which can introduce security or permission issues. Remember the mnemonic: **Check before you wreck**—always verify write access with a test file or mount status before running destructive or data-critical operations.
LPIC-1 Administrative Tasks Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of administrative tasks. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A server has a backup script that runs daily at midnight. The system administrator notices that the script sometimes fails because the filesystem is mounted read-only. Which approach is the best practice to ensure the script runs only when the filesystem is writable?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Wrap the backup command in a script that checks if the filesystem is writable before proceeding
Option C is correct because it implements a proactive check within the script itself, using a command like `touch /mountpoint/testfile 2>/dev/null` or checking `/proc/mounts` to verify write access before executing the backup. This avoids unnecessary remounts and ensures the script only proceeds when the filesystem is writable, which is a robust and self-contained solution.
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.
✗
Add a cron job that runs before the backup to remount the filesystem read-write
Why it's wrong here
Risk of remounting a filesystem that should remain read-only.
✗
Use anacron to run the job after boot
Why it's wrong here
Anacron runs after boot but does not check filesystem state.
✓
Wrap the backup command in a script that checks if the filesystem is writable before proceeding
Why this is correct
Best practice: check condition inside script and exit gracefully if not met.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Change the cron job to run every hour until it succeeds
Why it's wrong here
Does not address the root cause; may cause repeated failures.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume remounting (Option A) is a safe fix, but LPIC-1 emphasizes that a read-only filesystem often indicates a deeper problem, and the best practice is to check state rather than force a change.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the script can use `if [ -w /mountpoint ]; then ...` to test write permission, or more reliably, attempt a temporary file creation with `touch` and check the exit code. In real-world scenarios, a filesystem may become read-only due to I/O errors or kernel-detected corruption (e.g., from `ext4` remounting itself), so a simple remount could fail or hide underlying issues that need manual intervention.
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 LPIC-1 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.
Administrative Tasks — This question tests Administrative Tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Wrap the backup command in a script that checks if the filesystem is writable before proceeding — Option C is correct because it implements a proactive check within the script itself, using a command like `touch /mountpoint/testfile 2>/dev/null` or checking `/proc/mounts` to verify write access before executing the backup. This avoids unnecessary remounts and ensures the script only proceeds when the filesystem is writable, which is a robust and self-contained solution.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-1 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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