LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of linux installation and package management. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
```
$ dpkg -l | grep apache
ii apache2 2.4.41-1 amd64 Apache HTTP Server
rc apache2-bin 2.4.41-1 amd64 Apache HTTP Server (binary files)
```
Based on the exhibit, what does the 'rc' status for the package 'apache2-bin' indicate?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The package has been removed but configuration files remain
In Debian-based package management (dpkg/APT), the 'rc' status code means the package was marked for removal ('r') but its configuration files were left behind ('c'). This occurs when using 'apt-get remove' or 'dpkg -r' without the --purge option, leaving residual config files in /etc or other locations.
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 package is unpacked but not yet configured
Why it's wrong here
'iU' would indicate unpacked.
✗
The package has been completely purged
Why it's wrong here
'pn' would indicate purged.
✗
The package is installed and configured
Why it's wrong here
'ii' would indicate installed and configured.
✓
The package has been removed but configuration files remain
Why this is correct
'rc' means removed but config files left.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'rc' with a fully removed or purged state, not realizing that 'c' specifically indicates residual configuration files remain on the filesystem.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The dpkg database stores package status as a two-character code: the first character is the desired action (e.g., 'r' for remove, 'p' for purge), and the second is the actual state (e.g., 'c' for config-files, 'i' for installed). The 'rc' state is important for auditing leftover configuration that may cause conflicts on reinstallation or expose sensitive data. Commands like 'dpkg --purge' or 'apt-get purge' transition the package from 'rc' to 'pn' (purged/not installed).
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.
Linux Installation and Package Management — This question tests Linux Installation and Package Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The package has been removed but configuration files remain — In Debian-based package management (dpkg/APT), the 'rc' status code means the package was marked for removal ('r') but its configuration files were left behind ('c'). This occurs when using 'apt-get remove' or 'dpkg -r' without the --purge option, leaving residual config files in /etc or other locations.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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