LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
Exhibit
ii adduser 3.118 all Add and remove users and groups ii apt 2.0.9 amd64 commandline package manager ii base-files 11 amd64 Debian base system miscellaneous files ii base-passwd 3.5.47 amd64 Debian base system master password and group files ii bash 5.0-6 amd64 GNU Bourne Again SHell
Refer to the exhibit. The system administrator wants to determine which package provides the file /etc/passwd. Based on the output, which command would be most appropriate to find the package?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse `dpkg -S` (search for file) with `dpkg -L` (list files of a known package), or they incorrectly use `apt-cache` or `apt-file` which operate on repository data rather than the installed package database.
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
✓
`dpkg -S /etc/passwd`
`dpkg -S /etc/passwd` queries the dpkg database to find which installed package owns the specified file. This is the standard Debian/Ubuntu command to map an absolute path to its originating package, making it the most appropriate choice for the administrator's goal.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
`dpkg -L base-passwd`
Why it's wrong here
Lists files of a known package, not the reverse.
- ✗
`apt-file search /etc/passwd`
Why it's wrong here
Requires apt-file to be installed; not immediate.
- ✓
`dpkg -S /etc/passwd`
Why this is correct
Searches for the package that owns the file.
- ✗
`apt-cache show /etc/passwd`
Why it's wrong here
Cannot search for files.
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