LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
A system administrator needs to check if a filesystem has any errors without actually performing a repair. Which command should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse `-N` (which only shows what would be checked without actually scanning) with `-n` (which performs a read-only scan), leading candidates to mistakenly choose the dry-run option instead of the actual read-only check.
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
✓
fsck -n /dev/sdb1
The `-n` option with `fsck` performs a read-only check, displaying any filesystem errors without making any modifications or repairs. This is the correct choice for a non-destructive check that only reports issues.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
fsck -y /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
fsck -y automatically answers 'yes' to repairs, fixing errors.
- ✗
fsck -N /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
fsck -N only shows what would be done without actually checking the filesystem.
- ✓
fsck -n /dev/sdb1
Why this is correct
fsck -n performs a non-interactive, read-only check.
- ✗
e2fsck -p /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
e2fsck -p automatically repairs without asking.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.