The answer is chmod 750 /home/user/script.sh. This command is correct because the numeric permission 7 grants the owner read, write, and execute (rwx), 5 grants the group read and execute (r-x), and 0 removes all access for others (---), precisely matching the requirement that the owner can read, write, and execute, the group can read and execute, and others have no access. On the Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 1 LPIC-1 exam, this question tests your ability to translate symbolic permission requirements into octal notation, a fundamental skill for system administration. A common trap is confusing the order of the three digits—remember that the first digit always applies to the owner, the second to the group, and the third to others. A useful memory tip is to think of the octal values as a sum of binary bits: read (4), write (2), and execute (1); for example, 7 = 4+2+1, 5 = 4+1, and 0 = none.
LPIC-1 GNU and Unix Commands Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of gnu and unix commands. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 systems administrator needs to change the permissions of the file /home/user/script.sh so that the owner can read, write, and execute; the group can read and execute; and others have no access. Which command accomplishes this?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
chmod 750 /home/user/script.sh
Option B is correct because chmod 750 sets the permissions to rwxr-x---, which gives the owner read, write, and execute (7), the group read and execute (5), and others no access (0). This matches the requirement exactly.
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.
✗
chmod 755 /home/user/script.sh
Why it's wrong here
755 gives rwx for owner, r-x for group, and r-x for others, but others should have no access.
✓
chmod 750 /home/user/script.sh
Why this is correct
750 gives rwx for owner, r-x for group, and --- for others, matching the requirement.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
chmod 770 /home/user/script.sh
Why it's wrong here
770 gives rwx for owner, rwx for group, and --- for others, but group has write access which is not required.
✗
chmod 741 /home/user/script.sh
Why it's wrong here
741 gives rwx for owner, r-- for group, and --x for others, which does not match.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the octal values, especially mistaking 755 (which grants others read/execute) for the correct setting, or they forget that 750 denies others access while 755 does not.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The chmod command uses octal notation where each digit represents a three-bit set: read (4), write (2), and execute (1). The first digit is for the owner, the second for the group, and the third for others. In real-world scenarios, using 750 is common for scripts that should be executable by the owner and group but hidden from others, such as in shared development environments where sensitive logic must not be exposed.
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.
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: chmod 750 /home/user/script.sh — Option B is correct because chmod 750 sets the permissions to rwxr-x---, which gives the owner read, write, and execute (7), the group read and execute (5), and others no access (0). This matches the requirement exactly.
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: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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