LPIC-1 Essential System Services and Networking Practice Question
Which two commands can be used to send a test email from the command line to verify SMTP functionality? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse `sendmail -bv` (which only verifies addresses) with `sendmail` used to actually send a message, or they think `telnet` alone constitutes sending an email without manual SMTP commands.
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
✓
mail -s test user@example.com
The `mail` command (option C) sends an email via the local MTA, directly testing SMTP delivery. The `sendmail` command (option D) with a piped message also invokes the MTA to deliver the email, verifying SMTP functionality. Both commands rely on the system's configured MTA to handle SMTP communication.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
telnet localhost 25
Why it's wrong here
Telnet to SMTP port can test connectivity but does not send a complete email.
- ✗
mutt -s test user@example.com
Why it's wrong here
mutt is an email client that requires configuration; it is not a direct command for quick test.
- ✓
mail -s test user@example.com
Why this is correct
The mail command reads input and sends an email.
- ✓
echo 'test' | sendmail user@example.com
Why this is correct
Piping text to sendmail delivers a test email.
- ✗
sendmail -bv user@example.com
Why it's wrong here
This verifies the recipient address but does not send a message.
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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.