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.
According to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS), which TWO directories are intended for variable data that persists across system reboots? (Choose two.)
/run
/run holds runtime variable data that persists during a session, but is considered variable data per FHS.
/opt
Why wrong: /opt is for optional add-on software packages, not variable data.
/var
/var is the standard directory for variable data that persists across reboots.
/usr/local
Why wrong: /usr/local is for locally installed software, not variable data.
/tmp
Why wrong: /tmp is for temporary files that may be cleared on reboot.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/run
/var is the primary directory for variable data such as logs, databases, and spools. /run is used for runtime variable data that must persist only during a session, but FHS specifies it for variable data as well. /opt is for add-on software, /tmp is for temporary files (may be cleared on reboot), and /usr/local is for locally installed software, not variable data.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
/run
Why this is correct
/run holds runtime variable data that persists during a session, but is considered variable data per FHS.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/opt
Why it's wrong here
/opt is for optional add-on software packages, not variable data.
/var
Why this is correct
/var is the standard directory for variable data that persists across reboots.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/usr/local
Why it's wrong here
/usr/local is for locally installed software, not variable data.
/tmp
Why it's wrong here
/tmp is for temporary files that may be cleared on reboot.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which LPIC-1 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Devices, Filesystems and FHS — This question tests Devices, Filesystems and FHS — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: /run — /var is the primary directory for variable data such as logs, databases, and spools. /run is used for runtime variable data that must persist only during a session, but FHS specifies it for variable data as well. /opt is for add-on software, /tmp is for temporary files (may be cleared on reboot), and /usr/local is for locally installed software, not variable data.
Identify which LPIC-1 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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