LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
After a system crash, the root filesystem (ext4) is mounted read-only and the administrator needs to perform an interactive check. Which command should be used?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse the `-r` (interactive repair) flag with the `-a` (automatic repair) or `-y` (assume yes) flags, mistakenly thinking automatic repair is safer or more appropriate for a post-crash scenario, when in fact interactive checking is the standard for root filesystems to avoid unintended damage.
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
✓
fsck -r /dev/sda1
The `-r` flag in `fsck` performs an interactive repair, prompting the administrator for a yes/no decision before fixing each filesystem issue. This is exactly what is needed after a crash when the root filesystem is mounted read-only and the administrator wants to manually check and decide on repairs. The `-r` flag is the standard way to invoke interactive mode for ext4 filesystems.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
fsck -n /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: -n means no repair, only check.
- ✗
fsck -y /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: -y assumes 'yes' to all repairs, not interactive.
- ✓
fsck -r /dev/sda1
Why this is correct
Correct: -r runs interactive check, prompting for each repair.
- ✗
fsck -a /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: -a attempts automatic repairs without interaction.
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JA
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.