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.
Exhibit
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$ mount -o remount,ro /mnt
mount: /mnt: mount point not mounted or bad option.
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Refer to the exhibit. An administrator attempts to remount /mnt as read-only but receives the error shown. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
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 the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The /mnt directory is not a mount point
The error 'mount: /mnt is not a mount point' indicates that the administrator attempted to use the `remount` option on a directory that is not currently a mount point. The `mount -o remount` command only works on directories where a filesystem is already mounted; it modifies the mount options of an existing mount, not a regular directory. Since /mnt is not a mount point, the kernel rejects the operation with this specific error.
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 /mnt directory is not a mount point
Why this is correct
The error explicitly says 'mount point not mounted', meaning nothing is mounted there.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The /mnt directory is not empty
Why it's wrong here
An empty directory is not required for remount; the mount point must be mounted first.
✗
The /mnt directory does not exist
Why it's wrong here
If the directory didn't exist, the error would be different (e.g., 'mount point does not exist').
✗
The filesystem is already mounted read-only
Why it's wrong here
If already read-only, the remount would succeed with no change.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse the `remount` option (which modifies an existing mount) with the `mount` command (which creates a new mount), leading them to think the error is about directory emptiness or existence rather than the mount point status.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `mount -o remount` operation uses the `MS_REMOUNT` flag in the `mount()` system call, which requires a valid `mount_id` or a path that resolves to an existing mount point in the kernel's mount namespace. If the path is not a mount point, the kernel returns `EINVAL` with the message 'not a mount point'. This is distinct from the `mount -o bind` operation, which can create a new mount on any directory. In real-world scenarios, this error often occurs when a script attempts to remount a path that was unmounted earlier or was never mounted.
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 — 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 /mnt directory is not a mount point — The error 'mount: /mnt is not a mount point' indicates that the administrator attempted to use the `remount` option on a directory that is not currently a mount point. The `mount -o remount` command only works on directories where a filesystem is already mounted; it modifies the mount options of an existing mount, not a regular directory. Since /mnt is not a mount point, the kernel rejects the operation with this specific error.
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: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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