The correct command is `mount /dev/sdc1 /mnt/usb`. This is because the standard mount command syntax places the device argument first, followed by the mountpoint, as in `mount [options] <device> <mountpoint>`. The kernel automatically detects the ext4 filesystem on the USB drive, so specifying `-t ext4` is optional but not required for a successful mount. On the LPIC-1 exam, this question tests your understanding of the fundamental device and mountpoint order, a concept that frequently appears in both the 101 and 102 exams. A common trap is reversing the order—placing the mountpoint before the device—which will cause the command to fail. To remember the correct sequence, think of the device as the source you are attaching and the mountpoint as the destination directory; you always put the source first. A useful mnemonic is "Device first, directory last—mount it fast."
LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of devices, filesystems and fhs. 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 wants to mount a USB flash drive formatted with the ext4 filesystem. The device is detected as /dev/sdc1. Which command should be used to mount the device to /mnt/usb?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Why wrong: -a mounts all filesystems in /etc/fstab, not suitable here.
B
mount /mnt/usb /dev/sdc1
Why wrong: Arguments reversed: device must come before mount point.
C
mount /dev/sdc1 /mnt/usb
Correct: mount with device and mount point, filesystem auto-detected.
D
mount -t ext4 /dev/sdc1 /mnt/usb
Why wrong: Correct syntax but -t is unnecessary; however the order is correct, but the question expects the simplest correct command. Option B is simpler.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
mount /dev/sdc1 /mnt/usb
Option C is correct because the standard syntax for the mount command is `mount [options] <device> <mountpoint>`. Here, `/dev/sdc1` is the device and `/mnt/usb` is the target directory. The ext4 filesystem is auto-detected by the kernel, so specifying `-t ext4` is optional but not incorrect.
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.
✗
mount -a /dev/sdc1 /mnt/usb
Why it's wrong here
-a mounts all filesystems in /etc/fstab, not suitable here.
✗
mount /mnt/usb /dev/sdc1
Why it's wrong here
Arguments reversed: device must come before mount point.
✓
mount /dev/sdc1 /mnt/usb
Why this is correct
Correct: mount with device and mount point, filesystem auto-detected.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
mount -t ext4 /dev/sdc1 /mnt/usb
Why it's wrong here
Correct syntax but -t is unnecessary; however the order is correct, but the question expects the simplest correct command. Option B is simpler.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often over-specify the `-t` flag thinking it is required, or confuse the argument order (device vs. mountpoint), leading them to pick D or B instead of the simpler and correct C.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Correct syntax but -t is unnecessary; however the order is correct, but the question expects the simplest correct command. Option B is simpler.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The mount command relies on the kernel's filesystem detection logic, which reads the superblock on the device to identify the filesystem type. For ext4, the magic number 0xEF53 in the superblock allows automatic detection without the `-t` flag. In real-world scenarios, using `-t` can be useful when auto-detection fails (e.g., corrupted superblock or multiple matching drivers), but for a healthy ext4 device, it is redundant.
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.
Devices, Filesystems and FHS — This question tests Devices, Filesystems and FHS — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: mount /dev/sdc1 /mnt/usb — Option C is correct because the standard syntax for the mount command is `mount [options] <device> <mountpoint>`. Here, `/dev/sdc1` is the device and `/mnt/usb` is the target directory. The ext4 filesystem is auto-detected by the kernel, so specifying `-t ext4` is optional but not incorrect.
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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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