This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of block devices, filesystems and advanced storage. 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.
A filesystem created with mkfs.ext4 on /dev/sda1 has a reserved block count of 5%. How can the administrator reduce it to 1% without reformatting?
tune2fs -r 1 /dev/sda1
Why wrong: -r sets reserved block count, not percentage.
tune2fs -m 1 /dev/sda1
-m sets reserved blocks percentage.
dumpe2fs -r 1 /dev/sda1
Why wrong: dumpe2fs only displays information.
resize2fs -r 1 /dev/sda1
Why wrong: resize2fs resizes filesystems, not reserved blocks.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
tune2fs -m 1 /dev/sda1
The `-m` option of tune2fs sets the reserved block percentage for the filesystem. Since the question asks to reduce the reserved block count from 5% to 1% without reformatting, `tune2fs -m 1 /dev/sda1` correctly adjusts the reserved blocks percentage to 1% on the existing ext4 filesystem.
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.
tune2fs -r 1 /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
-r sets reserved block count, not percentage.
tune2fs -m 1 /dev/sda1
Why this is correct
-m sets reserved blocks percentage.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
dumpe2fs -r 1 /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
dumpe2fs only displays information.
resize2fs -r 1 /dev/sda1
Why it's wrong here
resize2fs resizes filesystems, not reserved blocks.
Common exam traps
The trap here is confusing the `-m` (percentage) and `-r` (absolute block count) options of tune2fs, leading candidates to choose `-r 1` thinking it sets 1% when it actually sets only 1 block reserved.
Detailed technical explanation
The reserved blocks in ext4 are primarily used by system processes (e.g., root) to prevent a full filesystem from blocking critical system operations. The `-m` option of tune2fs modifies the percentage stored in the superblock, which is read by the kernel at mount time. Reducing reserved blocks from 5% to 1% can reclaim significant space on large volumes, but may risk system stability if the filesystem fills up completely.
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-2 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
Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage — This question tests Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: tune2fs -m 1 /dev/sda1 — The `-m` option of tune2fs sets the reserved block percentage for the filesystem. Since the question asks to reduce the reserved block count from 5% to 1% without reformatting, `tune2fs -m 1 /dev/sda1` correctly adjusts the reserved blocks percentage to 1% on the existing ext4 filesystem.
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-2 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-2 exam.
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