This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of devices, filesystems and fhs. 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 THREE directories are required to be directly under the root filesystem (/) according to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard? (Choose exactly three.)
/lib
Correct: /lib is required for shared libraries and kernel modules.
/var
Why wrong: Incorrect: /var is not required to be directly under /; it can be a separate filesystem.
/sbin
Correct: /sbin is required for essential system binaries.
/bin
Correct: /bin is required for essential user binaries.
/home
Why wrong: Incorrect: /home is optional and often separate.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
/lib
According to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS), the directories /bin, /lib, and /sbin are required to be directly under the root filesystem. /bin contains essential user command binaries needed for system booting and repair, /lib contains shared libraries and kernel modules required by binaries in /bin and /sbin, and /sbin contains essential system administration binaries for booting and recovery. These directories must be present on the root partition to ensure the system can boot and run in single-user mode.
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.
/lib
Why this is correct
Correct: /lib is required for shared libraries and kernel modules.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/var
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: /var is not required to be directly under /; it can be a separate filesystem.
/sbin
Why this is correct
Correct: /sbin is required for essential system binaries.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/bin
Why this is correct
Correct: /bin is required for essential user binaries.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
/home
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect: /home is optional and often separate.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'required' directories with 'recommended' ones, mistakenly selecting /var or /home because they are common, while the FHS only mandates /bin, /lib, and /sbin as essential for booting.
Detailed technical explanation
The FHS mandates /bin, /lib, and /sbin as essential for system booting because they contain the minimal set of executables and libraries needed to mount other filesystems and run recovery tools. In modern systems, /bin and /sbin are often symlinks to /usr/bin and /usr/sbin, but the FHS still requires the directories themselves to exist at the root level for compatibility. This structure ensures that even if /usr is not mounted, the system can still boot and perform basic operations.
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
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FAQ
Devices, Filesystems and FHS — This question tests Devices, Filesystems and FHS — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: /lib — According to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS), the directories /bin, /lib, and /sbin are required to be directly under the root filesystem. /bin contains essential user command binaries needed for system booting and repair, /lib contains shared libraries and kernel modules required by binaries in /bin and /sbin, and /sbin contains essential system administration binaries for booting and recovery. These directories must be present on the root partition to ensure the system can boot and run in single-user mode.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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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