LPIC-1 System Architecture Practice Question
A system administrator notices that after updating the kernel, the system fails to boot. The administrator wants to boot the previous kernel. Which GRUB menu option should be selected?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently confuse 'Recovery mode' with a kernel version selector, but Recovery mode is a single-kernel boot option for troubleshooting, not a menu for choosing among multiple kernels.
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
✓
Advanced options for Ubuntu
The 'Advanced options for Ubuntu' GRUB menu entry provides access to a submenu listing all installed kernel versions, allowing the administrator to select and boot the previous kernel. This is the standard method to revert to a known-good kernel after a failed update, as GRUB dynamically generates entries for each kernel found in /boot.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Memory test
Why it's wrong here
The memory test runs a diagnostic on RAM and never loads a kernel, so it cannot restore a working system. It is the right selection when investigating suspected faulty memory rather than recovering from a bad kernel update.
- ✓
Advanced options for Ubuntu
Why this is correct
Selecting "Advanced options for Ubuntu" exposes the GRUB submenu listing every installed kernel version, including the previous one alongside its recovery mode entry. This satisfies the stem's constraint of booting the prior kernel after the update broke boot, since the default top-level entry points only at the newest kernel.
- ✗
Recovery mode
Why it's wrong here
Recovery mode boots the currently installed kernel with minimal services; it does not roll back to the previous kernel version. It is correct when the existing kernel boots but the system needs single-user repair, such as resetting a root password.
- ✗
Boot from first hard disk
Why it's wrong here
Booting from the first hard disk loads whatever bootloader sits on that disk; it does not select a specific kernel entry, so the failing new kernel would still load. This option suits recovering when the bootloader itself is missing or misconfigured.
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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.