This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of administrative tasks. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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
● cron.service - Regular background program processing daemon
Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/cron.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
Active: active (running) since Mon 2023-10-23 10:15:00 UTC; 2h 30min ago
Docs: man:cron(8)
Main PID: 1234 (cron)
Tasks: 1 (limit: 4915)
Memory: 1.2M
CGroup: /system.slice/cron.service
└─1234 /usr/sbin/cron -f
Refer to the exhibit. What can be concluded about the cron daemon based on this systemctl output?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It is running and will start automatically at system boot.
The systemctl output shows 'Loaded: loaded' and 'Active: active (running)' for the cron daemon, which indicates it is currently running. Additionally, the 'enabled' status in the 'Loaded' line means the service is configured to start automatically at system boot. Therefore, option D is correct.
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.
✗
It is stopped.
Why it's wrong here
The status clearly says 'active (running)'.
✗
It is enabled but not currently running.
Why it's wrong here
The service is both enabled and currently running.
✗
It has failed recently.
Why it's wrong here
There is no indication of failure; the service is active and running.
✓
It is running and will start automatically at system boot.
Why this is correct
The output shows 'active (running)' and 'enabled', meaning it is currently running and configured to start at boot.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may confuse 'enabled' (start at boot) with 'active' (currently running), leading them to select option B when the service is actually running, or they may misinterpret the absence of explicit 'failed' text as meaning the service is stopped.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The cron daemon (crond) is a time-based job scheduler in Unix-like systems, controlled by systemd on modern distributions. The 'systemctl status cron' command reads the unit file (e.g., /usr/lib/systemd/system/cron.service) to display load state, active state, and whether the service is enabled (i.e., symlinked in /etc/systemd/system/multi-user.target.wants/). A real-world scenario where this matters is verifying cron is operational after a system update or boot, as scheduled jobs (e.g., log rotation, backups) will fail silently if cron is not running.
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.
Administrative Tasks — This question tests Administrative Tasks — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: It is running and will start automatically at system boot. — The systemctl output shows 'Loaded: loaded' and 'Active: active (running)' for the cron daemon, which indicates it is currently running. Additionally, the 'enabled' status in the 'Loaded' line means the service is configured to start automatically at system boot. Therefore, option D is correct.
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.
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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