LPIC-1 Linux Installation and Package Management Practice Question
When troubleshooting a problem with a Debian package installation, an administrator wants to see which version of a package would be installed from the configured repositories. Which command displays the candidate version?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse `apt-get -s install` (a simulation) with the dedicated `apt-cache policy` command for querying the candidate version, or they mistakenly think `dpkg -l` or `apt-show-versions` provide repository-level candidate information.
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
✓
apt-cache policy package
The `apt-cache policy package` command displays the package's priority, the installed version (if any), and the candidate version (the version that would be installed by default from the configured repositories). This makes it the correct tool for determining which version will be installed from the repositories.
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 package
Why it's wrong here
Shows installed version only.
- ✗
apt-show-versions package
Why it's wrong here
Shows all available versions but not the candidate.
- ✗
apt-get -s install package
Why it's wrong here
Simulates install, but does not list candidate explicitly.
- ✓
apt-cache policy package
Why this is correct
Shows candidate version and priority.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LPIC-1 exam.