- A
Run the script manually with 'bash -x /usr/local/bin/rotate_logs.sh' to observe command execution.
The -x flag shows each command as it runs, exposing any errors.
- B
Use 'ps -ef | grep compress' to check if the cron job spawned any child processes.
Why wrong: The job has already completed; ps only shows current processes, not past ones.
- C
Check the file permissions of the archive directory with 'ls -ld /var/log/archive'.
Why wrong: While permissions could be an issue, this only tests one possibility; the -x trace would reveal permission errors more comprehensively.
- D
Review the system logs in /var/log/syslog for any entries related to gzip or the script.
Why wrong: Since the script does not produce stderr, it is unlikely to generate syslog entries unless explicitly logged.
LPIC-1 GNU and Unix Commands Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of gnu and unix commands. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 web server runs Apache and generates extensive access logs. To conserve disk space, an administrator sets up a cron job that runs nightly at 2:00 AM. The job executes a shell script located at /usr/local/bin/rotate_logs.sh. The script is intended to find all .log files in /var/log/apache2/ that are older than 7 days, compress them with gzip, and move the compressed files to /var/log/archive/. However, after several days, the administrator notices that the /var/log partition is nearly full and the logs are not being compressed. The cron log shows the job ran at the scheduled time but produced no terminal output (stdout or stderr). The script itself contains no explicit echo statements or error handling. The administrator has root access and wants to diagnose the problem without disrupting the running web server. Which of the following is the most appropriate first step to identify the failure?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"first"Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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
Run the script manually with 'bash -x /usr/local/bin/rotate_logs.sh' to observe command execution.
Option A is correct because running the script with 'bash -x' enables execution tracing, which prints each command and its arguments as they are executed. This will reveal exactly where the script fails—whether due to a missing file, permission error, or incorrect path—without modifying the script or disrupting the running web server. Since the cron job produced no output, the script likely encountered a silent failure, and 'bash -x' is the most direct way to diagnose it.
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.
- ✓
Run the script manually with 'bash -x /usr/local/bin/rotate_logs.sh' to observe command execution.
Why this is correct
The -x flag shows each command as it runs, exposing any errors.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "first" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Use 'ps -ef | grep compress' to check if the cron job spawned any child processes.
Why it's wrong here
The job has already completed; ps only shows current processes, not past ones.
- ✗
Check the file permissions of the archive directory with 'ls -ld /var/log/archive'.
Why it's wrong here
While permissions could be an issue, this only tests one possibility; the -x trace would reveal permission errors more comprehensively.
- ✗
Review the system logs in /var/log/syslog for any entries related to gzip or the script.
Why it's wrong here
Since the script does not produce stderr, it is unlikely to generate syslog entries unless explicitly logged.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may jump to checking permissions or system logs because they assume a permission or system-level error, but the most efficient first step is to reproduce the script's execution with tracing enabled to see exactly what commands run and where they fail.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The job has already completed; ps only shows current processes, not past ones.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'bash -x' option activates the 'xtrace' shell option, which writes trace output to stderr showing expanded commands, variable values, and exit statuses. This is invaluable for debugging scripts that run silently under cron, as cron typically captures stdout/stderr only if the script explicitly generates output. A common subtle failure is that the 'find' command's path or expression is incorrect (e.g., using '-mtime +7' instead of '-mtime 6' for files older than 7 days), causing no files to match, and the subsequent gzip and mv commands never execute.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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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GNU and Unix Commands — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LPIC-1 question test?
GNU and Unix Commands — This question tests GNU and Unix Commands — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Run the script manually with 'bash -x /usr/local/bin/rotate_logs.sh' to observe command execution. — Option A is correct because running the script with 'bash -x' enables execution tracing, which prints each command and its arguments as they are executed. This will reveal exactly where the script fails—whether due to a missing file, permission error, or incorrect path—without modifying the script or disrupting the running web server. Since the cron job produced no output, the script likely encountered a silent failure, and 'bash -x' is the most direct way to diagnose it.
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: "first". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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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