LPIC-1 Shells, Scripting and Data Management Practice Question
A system administrator wants to display all lines in /var/log/syslog that do NOT contain the string 'error'. Which command accomplishes this?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse `-v` (invert match) with `-i` (case-insensitive) or `-r` (recursive), leading them to select options that still show matching lines instead of excluding them.
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
✓
grep -v 'error' /var/log/syslog
The `grep -v` option inverts the match, displaying only lines that do NOT contain the pattern. Therefore, `grep -v 'error' /var/log/syslog` outputs all lines from the file that lack the string 'error', which directly fulfills the requirement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
grep -v 'error' /var/log/syslog
Why this is correct
Inverts match, showing only lines without 'error'.
- ✗
grep -r 'error' /var/log/syslog
Why it's wrong here
Recursively searches directories, but /var/log/syslog is a file; also does not invert match.
- ✗
grep -l 'error' /var/log/syslog
Why it's wrong here
Lists only filenames with matching lines, not the lines themselves.
- ✗
grep -i 'error' /var/log/syslog
Why it's wrong here
Ignores case but still shows lines containing 'error'.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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