Question 1easymultiple choice
Full question →- A
df -i
Why wrong: Shows inode information, not disk space.
- B
df -h
Correct: human-readable disk free.
- C
du -sh
Why wrong: Shows directory size, not free space.
- D
df -T
Why wrong: Shows filesystem type.
Question 447 of 522
Quick Answer
The answer is `df -h`, which displays the amount of free disk space on all mounted filesystems in a human-readable format. The `-h` flag, short for “human-readable,” converts raw 1024-byte block counts into easily interpreted units like kilobytes, megabytes, and gigabytes, so you can instantly see how much space is used and available. On the LPIC-1 exam, this command tests your ability to monitor disk usage efficiently—a core system administration task. A common trap is confusing `df` with `du`; remember that `df` reports filesystem-level totals, while `du` estimates file and directory usage. The exam often pairs `-h` with `-T` to show filesystem types, so practice combining flags. A quick memory tip: think of “df” as “disk free” and the “h” as “for humans”—when you need to check free space at a glance, `df -h` is your go-to.
LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
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.
Which of the following commands displays the amount of free disk space on all mounted filesystems in a human-readable format?
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
✓
df -h
The `df -h` command displays disk space usage for all mounted filesystems with sizes in human-readable units (e.g., KB, MB, GB). The `-h` flag converts raw block counts into powers of 1024 with appropriate suffixes, making the output easy to interpret at a glance.
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.
- ✗
df -i
Why it's wrong here
Shows inode information, not disk space.
- ✓
df -h
Why this is correct
Correct: human-readable disk free.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
du -sh
Why it's wrong here
Shows directory size, not free space.
- ✗
df -T
Why it's wrong here
Shows filesystem type.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `df -h` (free disk space) with `du -sh` (used space for a directory) or `df -i` (inode usage), because all three involve storage-related metrics but serve fundamentally different purposes.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows inode information, not disk space.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, `df` reads filesystem statistics from the kernel via the `statfs()` system call, which returns block counts in units of the filesystem's block size. The `-h` flag divides these raw block counts by 1024 iteratively to produce human-friendly suffixes (e.g., 1024^2 for MiB). A subtle behavior: on some systems, `df -h` uses powers of 1024 (binary) by default, while `df -H` uses powers of 1000 (SI units), which can cause confusion when comparing with disk manufacturer specifications.
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.
- →
Devices, Filesystems and FHS — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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Devices, Filesystems and FHS practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
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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: df -h — The `df -h` command displays disk space usage for all mounted filesystems with sizes in human-readable units (e.g., KB, MB, GB). The `-h` flag converts raw block counts into powers of 1024 with appropriate suffixes, making the output easy to interpret at a glance.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 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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