- A
The fstab entry is missing the _netdev option, which is required for local SATA disks.
Why wrong: The _netdev option is for network filesystems (e.g., NFS), not local disks.
- B
The /home directory is not empty and contains files that conflict with the mount.
Why wrong: An empty /home directory after boot suggests it wasn't mounted; non-empty directory would not prevent mounting.
- C
The fstab entry uses the device file /dev/sdb1 instead of the UUID.
Why wrong: Using the device file is acceptable and should work; manual mount uses the same device file and succeeds.
- D
The filesystem on /dev/sdb1 has errors and needs to be checked with fsck before mounting.
If the filesystem has errors, the system may not mount it automatically at boot to prevent further damage, but manual mount may still succeed if the errors are not severe.
LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of devices, filesystems and fhs. 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.
An administrator is configuring a new server with two SATA disks. The first disk (/dev/sda) holds the root filesystem. The second disk (/dev/sdb) is intended to provide additional storage for user home directories. The administrator partitions /dev/sdb using 'fdisk' to create a single partition /dev/sdb1, formats it with 'mkfs.ext4' and adds the following line to /etc/fstab: '/dev/sdb1 /home ext4 defaults 0 2'. After rebooting, the /home directory is empty and the command 'df -h' does not show /dev/sdb1. However, running 'mount /dev/sdb1 /home' manually works perfectly. The disk is not listed in 'cat /proc/mounts' before the manual mount. What is the most likely cause of this issue?
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.
Clue:
"most likely"Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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
The filesystem on /dev/sdb1 has errors and needs to be checked with fsck before mounting.
The fstab entry uses the device file /dev/sdb1 rather than a UUID or filesystem label. While this can work, it is fragile if device ordering changes. However, the most common cause of a device not mounting at boot when the device file is correct is that the filesystem has errors requiring fsck. Option B is incorrect because the device file is correct (manual mount works). Option C is incorrect because an empty /home directory does not prevent mounting. Option D is incorrect because _netdev is for network filesystems. Option A is correct because if the filesystem has errors, the system may skip the mount at boot to avoid data loss, but manual mount with 'mount' bypasses fsck checks.
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.
- ✗
The fstab entry is missing the _netdev option, which is required for local SATA disks.
Why it's wrong here
The _netdev option is for network filesystems (e.g., NFS), not local disks.
- ✗
The /home directory is not empty and contains files that conflict with the mount.
Why it's wrong here
An empty /home directory after boot suggests it wasn't mounted; non-empty directory would not prevent mounting.
- ✗
The fstab entry uses the device file /dev/sdb1 instead of the UUID.
Why it's wrong here
Using the device file is acceptable and should work; manual mount uses the same device file and succeeds.
- ✓
The filesystem on /dev/sdb1 has errors and needs to be checked with fsck before mounting.
Why this is correct
If the filesystem has errors, the system may not mount it automatically at boot to prevent further damage, but manual mount may still succeed if the errors are not severe.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
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
How to think about this question
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.
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.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- 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 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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Devices, Filesystems and FHS — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LPIC-1 question test?
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: The filesystem on /dev/sdb1 has errors and needs to be checked with fsck before mounting. — The fstab entry uses the device file /dev/sdb1 rather than a UUID or filesystem label. While this can work, it is fragile if device ordering changes. However, the most common cause of a device not mounting at boot when the device file is correct is that the filesystem has errors requiring fsck. Option B is incorrect because the device file is correct (manual mount works). Option C is incorrect because an empty /home directory does not prevent mounting. Option D is incorrect because _netdev is for network filesystems. Option A is correct because if the filesystem has errors, the system may skip the mount at boot to avoid data loss, but manual mount with 'mount' bypasses fsck checks.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-1 question wrong?
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "first", "most likely". 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.
About these practice questions
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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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