- A
Full: tar -czvf /backup/full.tar.gz /data; Incremental: tar -czvf /backup/incr.tar.gz --after-date '1 day ago' /data
Why wrong: --after-date is not the standard incremental approach and may miss files.
- B
Full: tar -cvf /backup/full.tar /data; Incremental: tar -cvf /backup/incr.tar -N 'last Sunday' /data
Why wrong: -N does not work with incremental backups; it only backs up files newer than the given date, which is not the same as incremental tracking.
- C
Full: tar -cvf /backup/full.tar --newer /data; Incremental: tar -cvf /backup/incr.tar --newer /backup/full.tar /data
Why wrong: --newer compares timestamps; this does not handle deletions and is not the standard incremental method.
- D
Full: tar -cvf /backup/full.tar -g /var/backup/snapshot /data; Incremental: tar -cvf /backup/incr.tar -g /var/backup/snapshot /data
This uses the same snapshot file to track changes; the first run creates a full backup snapshot, subsequent runs create incremental backups.
LPIC-1 Administrative Tasks Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of administrative tasks. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 system administrator needs to perform incremental backups of a large directory /data. The backup strategy requires a full backup every Sunday and incremental backups on weekdays. Which tar command satisfies this requirement using the --listed-incremental 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
Full: tar -cvf /backup/full.tar -g /var/backup/snapshot /data; Incremental: tar -cvf /backup/incr.tar -g /var/backup/snapshot /data
Option D is correct because the `--listed-incremental` (or `-g`) option in tar creates and uses a snapshot file to track changes between backups. By specifying the same snapshot file for both the full and incremental backups, tar automatically records which files have changed since the last full backup, enabling proper incremental backups without relying on timestamps or file modification times.
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.
- ✗
Full: tar -czvf /backup/full.tar.gz /data; Incremental: tar -czvf /backup/incr.tar.gz --after-date '1 day ago' /data
Why it's wrong here
--after-date is not the standard incremental approach and may miss files.
- ✗
Full: tar -cvf /backup/full.tar /data; Incremental: tar -cvf /backup/incr.tar -N 'last Sunday' /data
Why it's wrong here
-N does not work with incremental backups; it only backs up files newer than the given date, which is not the same as incremental tracking.
- ✗
Full: tar -cvf /backup/full.tar --newer /data; Incremental: tar -cvf /backup/incr.tar --newer /backup/full.tar /data
Why it's wrong here
--newer compares timestamps; this does not handle deletions and is not the standard incremental method.
- ✓
Full: tar -cvf /backup/full.tar -g /var/backup/snapshot /data; Incremental: tar -cvf /backup/incr.tar -g /var/backup/snapshot /data
Why this is correct
This uses the same snapshot file to track changes; the first run creates a full backup snapshot, subsequent runs create incremental backups.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse timestamp-based options like `--newer` or `-N` with the snapshot-based `--listed-incremental` mechanism, assuming any time-based filter can achieve incremental backups, but only `-g` provides the metadata tracking needed for proper incremental archives.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `--listed-incremental` option uses a snapshot file (often with `.snar` extension) that stores metadata such as inode numbers, modification times, and file names. When creating an incremental backup, tar reads this snapshot to determine which files have changed since the last backup, and then updates the snapshot for the next run. This method correctly handles file deletions and renames, unlike timestamp-based approaches, and is essential for reliable backup strategies in environments with large directory trees.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LPIC-1 question test?
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: Full: tar -cvf /backup/full.tar -g /var/backup/snapshot /data; Incremental: tar -cvf /backup/incr.tar -g /var/backup/snapshot /data — Option D is correct because the `--listed-incremental` (or `-g`) option in tar creates and uses a snapshot file to track changes between backups. By specifying the same snapshot file for both the full and incremental backups, tar automatically records which files have changed since the last full backup, enabling proper incremental backups without relying on timestamps or file modification times.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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