LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
Exhibit
Exhibit: /etc/fstab content: UUID=abc123 / ext4 defaults 1 1 UUID=def456 /boot ext3 defaults 1 2 UUID=ghi789 none swap sw 0 0 /dev/cdrom /mnt/cdrom auto noauto,user 0 0
Refer to the exhibit. On boot, which filesystem will be checked first by fsck?
⚠ Common exam trap
Test-takers frequently assume the /boot filesystem is checked first because it contains the kernel and bootloader, but the root filesystem is always checked first due to its fs_passno=1 setting in /etc/fstab.
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 root filesystem (/)
The root filesystem (/) is checked first by fsck because it is mounted read-only during the initial boot phase, and fsck must verify its integrity before the system can proceed to mount other filesystems. The order of filesystem checks is determined by the fs_passno field in /etc/fstab, where the root filesystem typically has a passno of 1, ensuring it is checked before any filesystem with a higher passno value.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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The swap partition
Why it's wrong here
Swap partitions carry no filesystem for fsck to check and are given a pass number of 0 in /etc/fstab, so fsck skips them entirely. It is tempting because swap is configured in /etc/fstab alongside real filesystems, and it would be relevant only to swapon, not to boot-time filesystem checking.
- ✓
The root filesystem (/)
Why this is correct
The root filesystem is mounted first during boot, so fsck checks it before any other filesystem. Its pass number in /etc/fstab is typically 1, while other local filesystems use 2, ensuring / is verified ahead of them.
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The CD-ROM device
Why it's wrong here
The CD-ROM device is mounted read-only with a pass number of 0 in /etc/fstab, so fsck never checks it. It is tempting because it appears as an fstab entry like any other mount, and it would be the correct answer only if the question asked which device is excluded from boot-time checking.
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The /boot filesystem
Why it's wrong here
fsck processes filesystems in the order listed in /etc/fstab, skipping entries whose sixth field is 0; /boot typically carries a pass number of 2, so it is checked after any pass-1 filesystem. It is tempting because /boot holds the kernel, and it would be correct if its pass field were 1.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.