LPIC-1 Administrative Tasks Practice Question
Which command is used to view the last few lines of a log file and simultaneously follow new entries as they are written?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse `tail -f` with `less` (which can also follow with `Shift+F`), but the question explicitly asks for the command that 'simultaneously follow new entries as they are written' in its default invocation, making `tail -f` the only correct answer without requiring additional key presses.
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
✓
tail -f
The `tail -f` command is correct because it displays the last 10 lines of a file by default and then continues to monitor the file for new lines, outputting them as they are appended. This is essential for real-time log monitoring, as it uses inotify or polling to detect file changes without requiring manual re-reading.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
tail -f
Why this is correct
Correctly displays last lines and follows new data.
- ✗
cat
Why it's wrong here
Cat outputs the entire file immediately and does not follow new data.
- ✗
head -n 10
Why it's wrong here
Head shows the first lines of a file, not the end, and does not follow updates.
- ✗
less
Why it's wrong here
Less allows interactive viewing but does not continuously follow new data unless using the 'F' command within less.
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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.