LPIC-1 Administrative Tasks Practice Question
Exhibit
jdoe:x:1001:1001:John Doe:/home/jdoe:/bin/bash
Refer to the exhibit. This line is from /etc/passwd. What does the third field (1001) represent?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse the order of fields in /etc/passwd, specifically mixing up the UID (third field) with the GID (fourth field), because both are numeric identifiers.
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
✓
User ID (UID)
In the /etc/passwd file, the third field is the User ID (UID), a numeric identifier assigned to each user. UID 0 is reserved for root, and values below 1000 are typically system accounts, while 1001 is a regular user UID. This field is used by the kernel to track user ownership of processes and files.
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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Home directory UID
Why it's wrong here
The third field is the numeric user ID (UID) assigned to the account, not a home directory path; the home directory is the sixth field. It is tempting because 1001 looks like an ordinary user's first UID, and a UID would be the right answer if the question asked which field identifies the account numerically.
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Group ID (GID)
Why it's wrong here
The fourth field holds the primary group ID (GID); the third field is the user ID. It is tempting because both are small integers in adjacent colon-separated positions, and the GID would be the correct answer if the question pointed at the fourth field instead.
- ✓
User ID (UID)
Why this is correct
The third colon-separated field in /etc/passwd holds the numeric user identifier assigned to the account. It is the UID the kernel uses internally for ownership and permission checks, distinct from the username in field one and the GID in field four.
- ✗
Login shell number
Why it's wrong here
The third field of /etc/passwd is the numeric user ID (UID), not a shell number; the login shell occupies the seventh field. It is tempting because shells are configured per user, but that value sits at the line's end, so a UID cannot indicate which shell launches at login.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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