This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of system architecture. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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
# ls -l /dev/disk/by-uuid/
total 0
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jan 10 10:00 1234-5678 -> ../../sda1
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 10 Jan 10 10:00 abcd-ef01 -> ../../sdb1
Refer to the exhibit. The system is unable to mount a filesystem that should be identified by UUID 1234-5678. The administrator checks /etc/fstab and finds the entry: UUID=1234-5678 /data ext4 defaults 0 2. What is the most likely cause of the mount failure?
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 symlink for UUID 1234-5678 is broken.
The symlink for UUID 1234-5678 points to ../../sda1. If the device /dev/sda1 does not exist (e.g., removed or not probed), the symlink is broken and mount fails. The UUID itself appears correct, and the fstab entry looks valid.
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 /data mount point does not exist.
Why it's wrong here
If the mount point were missing, the error would be 'mount point does not exist'.
✗
The device /dev/sda1 is not formatted with ext4.
Why it's wrong here
The exhibit does not indicate filesystem type; mount would fail with 'wrong fs type' if that were the case.
✗
The UUID in the fstab entry is incorrect.
Why it's wrong here
The UUID matches the symlink name, so it is likely correct.
✓
The symlink for UUID 1234-5678 is broken.
Why this is correct
The symlink exists but the target /dev/sda1 may not exist, causing a broken link and mount failure.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→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 LPIC-1 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
System Architecture — This question tests System Architecture — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The symlink for UUID 1234-5678 is broken. — The symlink for UUID 1234-5678 points to ../../sda1. If the device /dev/sda1 does not exist (e.g., removed or not probed), the symlink is broken and mount fails. The UUID itself appears correct, and the fstab entry looks valid.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-1 question wrong?
Identify which LPIC-1 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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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