LPIC-1 Shells, Scripting and Data Management Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are required for a bash script to be executed by the shell (assuming the script is in the current directory)?
⚠ Common exam trap
LPI often tests the misconception that a .sh extension is required for shell scripts, but Linux/Unix systems determine executability via the shebang and execute permission, not file extensions.
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
✓
The script must have a shebang (#!) as the first line.
The shebang (#!) as the first line of a bash script tells the kernel which interpreter to use (e.g., #!/bin/bash). Without it, the shell may attempt to execute the script using the default shell (often /bin/sh), which can lead to syntax errors or unexpected behavior. The shebang is essential for explicitly specifying the interpreter, especially when the script uses bash-specific features.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The script must have a shebang (#!) as the first line.
Why this is correct
Required to specify interpreter.
- ✗
The script must not contain any comments.
Why it's wrong here
Comments are allowed.
- ✗
The script must have a .sh extension.
Why it's wrong here
Extension is not required.
- ✗
The script must be in the PATH environment variable.
Why it's wrong here
It can be run with ./ if not in PATH.
- ✓
The script must have execute permission.
Why this is correct
Without execute permission, the script cannot be run directly.
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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.