This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of administrative tasks. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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
# /etc/crontab: system-wide crontab
SHELL=/bin/sh
PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin
# m h dom mon dow user command
17 * * * * root cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.hourly
25 6 * * * root test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.daily )
47 6 * * 7 root test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.weekly )
52 6 1 * * root test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.monthly )
Refer to the exhibit. What is the purpose of the 'test -x /usr/sbin/anacron' command in the cron entries?
# /etc/crontab: system-wide crontab
SHELL=/bin/sh
PATH=/usr/local/sbin:/usr/local/bin:/sbin:/bin:/usr/sbin:/usr/bin
# m h dom mon dow user command
17 * * * * root cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.hourly
25 6 * * * root test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.daily )
47 6 * * 7 root test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.weekly )
52 6 1 * * root test -x /usr/sbin/anacron || ( cd / && run-parts --report /etc/cron.monthly )
A
It checks if anacron is executable and then runs the periodic tasks.
Why wrong: The '||' runs the tasks only if the test fails (anacron absent), not if it succeeds.
B
It starts anacron if it is not already running.
Why wrong: The command does not start anacron; it only tests for its presence.
C
It ensures the periodic tasks are not run if anacron is installed.
If anacron is installed, the test returns true, so the '||' branch (run-parts) is not executed, preventing cron from running tasks that anacron handles.
D
It logs the output of the periodic tasks to a file.
Why wrong: There is no logging redirection in this command.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
It ensures the periodic tasks are not run if anacron is installed.
The 'test -x /usr/sbin/anacron' command checks if the anacron binary exists and is executable. If it is, the test returns true (exit code 0), and the subsequent periodic tasks (e.g., run-parts) are skipped due to the logical NOT operator '!' at the beginning of the cron entry. This prevents duplicate execution of periodic jobs when both cron and anacron are installed, as anacron is designed to handle them for systems that may not be running continuously.
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 checks if anacron is executable and then runs the periodic tasks.
Why it's wrong here
The '||' runs the tasks only if the test fails (anacron absent), not if it succeeds.
✗
It starts anacron if it is not already running.
Why it's wrong here
The command does not start anacron; it only tests for its presence.
✓
It ensures the periodic tasks are not run if anacron is installed.
Why this is correct
If anacron is installed, the test returns true, so the '||' branch (run-parts) is not executed, preventing cron from running tasks that anacron handles.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
It logs the output of the periodic tasks to a file.
Why it's wrong here
There is no logging redirection in this command.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume 'test -x' runs or starts anacron, when in fact it is a conditional check used with '!' to suppress duplicate job execution.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The command does not start anacron; it only tests for its presence.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'test' command (often aliased as '[') is a shell built-in that evaluates conditional expressions; '-x' checks the executable bit of the file. In the context of cron, the '!' operator inverts the exit status, so if 'test -x' succeeds (anacron is present), the overall condition fails and the command (e.g., run-parts) is not executed. This pattern is commonly seen in /etc/crontab or /etc/cron.d scripts to avoid conflicts between cron and anacron, especially for daily, weekly, and monthly jobs that anacron manages via /etc/anacrontab.
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 ensures the periodic tasks are not run if anacron is installed. — The 'test -x /usr/sbin/anacron' command checks if the anacron binary exists and is executable. If it is, the test returns true (exit code 0), and the subsequent periodic tasks (e.g., run-parts) are skipped due to the logical NOT operator '!' at the beginning of the cron entry. This prevents duplicate execution of periodic jobs when both cron and anacron are installed, as anacron is designed to handle them for systems that may not be running continuously.
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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