This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of linux installation and package management. 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.
Which command lists all installed packages on a Debian-based system by querying the dpkg database?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
apt-cache search .
Why wrong: Searches for available packages, not just installed.
dpkg -L
Why wrong: Lists files in a specific package.
dpkg --get-selections
Lists all installed packages.
apt-show-versions
Why wrong: Shows versions but not a simple list.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
dpkg --get-selections
Option C is correct because `dpkg --get-selections` queries the dpkg database directly and outputs a list of all installed packages along with their installation state (e.g., 'install'). This command does not rely on remote repositories or cache files, making it a reliable method for listing installed packages on a Debian-based system.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
apt-cache search .
Why it's wrong here
Searches for available packages, not just installed.
dpkg -L
Why it's wrong here
Lists files in a specific package.
dpkg --get-selections
Why this is correct
Lists all installed packages.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
apt-show-versions
Why it's wrong here
Shows versions but not a simple list.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse `dpkg -L` (which lists files for a specific package) with a command that lists all installed packages, or they assume `apt-cache search .` shows only installed packages when it actually queries the entire repository cache.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows versions but not a simple list.
Detailed technical explanation
The dpkg database stores package metadata in `/var/lib/dpkg/status` and `/var/lib/dpkg/info/`. `dpkg --get-selections` reads this database and outputs package names and their desired action (e.g., 'install', 'deinstall', 'purge'). This command is especially useful for backing up the list of installed packages (e.g., `dpkg --get-selections > packages.txt`) and restoring it on a fresh system with `dpkg --set-selections < packages.txt` followed by `apt-get dselect-upgrade`.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Linux Installation and Package Management — This question tests Linux Installation and Package Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: dpkg --get-selections — Option C is correct because `dpkg --get-selections` queries the dpkg database directly and outputs a list of all installed packages along with their installation state (e.g., 'install'). This command does not rely on remote repositories or cache files, making it a reliable method for listing installed packages on a Debian-based system.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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.
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