- A
sudo parted /dev/sdb mklabel gpt && sudo parted /dev/sdb mkpart primary ext4 0% 100% && sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 && echo '/dev/sdb1 /backup ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab && sudo mount -a
Properly creates GPT partition table, single partition, formats as ext4, adds fstab entry, and mounts.
- B
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 && echo '/dev/sdb1 /backup ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab && sudo mount -a
Why wrong: mkfs.ext4 on /dev/sdb1 fails because no partition exists yet; partition must be created first.
- C
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb && echo '/dev/sdb /backup ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab && sudo mount -a
Why wrong: Formats the whole disk without a partition table, which is not recommended and may cause warnings.
- D
sudo fdisk /dev/sdb (create partition) && sudo mkswap /dev/sdb1 && echo '/dev/sdb1 /backup ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab && sudo mount -a
Why wrong: mkswap creates swap, not ext4; the fstab entry expects ext4.
LPIC-1 Devices, Filesystems and FHS Practice Question
This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of devices, filesystems and fhs. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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.
You are a junior system administrator tasked with adding a new 500GB HDD to a Debian 11 server that will be used for backup storage. The server currently has a 120GB SSD with two partitions: sda1 (boot) and sda2 (root). You have physically installed the HDD and it is recognized as /dev/sdb. You need to partition the disk with a single partition covering the entire disk, format it as ext4, and ensure it is automatically mounted at /backup at boot time. Which sequence of commands should you execute to accomplish this?
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
sudo parted /dev/sdb mklabel gpt && sudo parted /dev/sdb mkpart primary ext4 0% 100% && sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 && echo '/dev/sdb1 /backup ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab && sudo mount -a
Option A is correct because it first creates a GPT partition table on /dev/sdb with parted, then creates a single primary partition spanning the entire disk, formats that partition (not the raw disk) as ext4, adds an fstab entry for automatic mounting at /backup, and finally mounts all filesystems. This sequence ensures the disk is properly partitioned, formatted, and configured for persistent boot-time mounting.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
sudo parted /dev/sdb mklabel gpt && sudo parted /dev/sdb mkpart primary ext4 0% 100% && sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 && echo '/dev/sdb1 /backup ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab && sudo mount -a
Why this is correct
Properly creates GPT partition table, single partition, formats as ext4, adds fstab entry, and mounts.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 && echo '/dev/sdb1 /backup ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab && sudo mount -a
Why it's wrong here
mkfs.ext4 on /dev/sdb1 fails because no partition exists yet; partition must be created first.
- ✗
sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb && echo '/dev/sdb /backup ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab && sudo mount -a
Why it's wrong here
Formats the whole disk without a partition table, which is not recommended and may cause warnings.
- ✗
sudo fdisk /dev/sdb (create partition) && sudo mkswap /dev/sdb1 && echo '/dev/sdb1 /backup ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab && sudo mount -a
Why it's wrong here
mkswap creates swap, not ext4; the fstab entry expects ext4.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may try to format the raw disk device (e.g., /dev/sdb) instead of a partition (e.g., /dev/sdb1), or skip the partitioning step entirely, leading to an unbootable or improperly configured filesystem.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
When partitioning a disk with parted, the 'mkpart' command requires a filesystem type label (like 'ext4') but does not actually create the filesystem; it only sets the partition type in the partition table. The subsequent mkfs.ext4 command writes the actual ext4 superblock and metadata to the partition. The fstab entry uses mount options 'defaults' which implies rw, suid, dev, exec, auto, nouser, and async, and the dump/pass values '0 2' indicate no dump and a non-root filesystem check order. The 'sudo mount -a' command reads /etc/fstab and mounts all entries not already mounted, verifying the configuration works.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Devices, Filesystems and FHS — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LPIC-1 question test?
Devices, Filesystems and FHS — This question tests Devices, Filesystems and FHS — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: sudo parted /dev/sdb mklabel gpt && sudo parted /dev/sdb mkpart primary ext4 0% 100% && sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sdb1 && echo '/dev/sdb1 /backup ext4 defaults 0 2' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab && sudo mount -a — Option A is correct because it first creates a GPT partition table on /dev/sdb with parted, then creates a single primary partition spanning the entire disk, formats that partition (not the raw disk) as ext4, adds an fstab entry for automatic mounting at /backup, and finally mounts all filesystems. This sequence ensures the disk is properly partitioned, formatted, and configured for persistent boot-time mounting.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-1 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
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