LPIC-2 Linux Kernel and System Startup Practice Question
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of linux kernel and system startup. 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 TWO of the following commands can be used to list currently loaded kernel modules? (Choose two.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
cat /proc/modules
Option B is correct because `/proc/modules` is a virtual file maintained by the kernel that lists all currently loaded kernel modules, including their size, usage count, and dependent modules. Reading this file provides a real-time snapshot of the kernel's module state. Option E is correct because `lsmod` is a user-space utility that parses `/proc/modules` and formats the output in a human-readable table, making it the standard command for listing loaded modules.
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.
✗
modinfo -l
Why it's wrong here
modinfo displays information about a specific module, not a list. The -l option is invalid.
✓
cat /proc/modules
Why this is correct
/proc/modules directly shows the kernel's current modules; cat displays it.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
ls /lib/modules/$(uname -r)
Why it's wrong here
This lists available module files, not the currently loaded ones.
✗
depmod -e
Why it's wrong here
depmod generates module dependency files; it does not list loaded modules.
✓
lsmod
Why this is correct
lsmod formats the contents of /proc/modules and is a standard command to list loaded modules.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse listing available modules on disk (Option C) with listing currently loaded modules, or mistakenly think `modinfo` or `depmod` can enumerate loaded modules when they are designed for module metadata and dependency resolution, respectively.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `/proc/modules` file is part of the procfs virtual filesystem and is generated on-the-fly by the kernel's module subsystem, which tracks each module's state via a `struct module` in memory. The `lsmod` command reads this file and formats columns for module name, size, used count, and a list of dependents; it is the preferred tool because it handles the raw output cleanly. In real-world troubleshooting, comparing `lsmod` output with `ls /lib/modules/$(uname -r)` can reveal if a required module is present on disk but not loaded, often due to missing dependencies or blacklisting.
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-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
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.
Linux Kernel and System Startup — This question tests Linux Kernel and System Startup — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: cat /proc/modules — Option B is correct because `/proc/modules` is a virtual file maintained by the kernel that lists all currently loaded kernel modules, including their size, usage count, and dependent modules. Reading this file provides a real-time snapshot of the kernel's module state. Option E is correct because `lsmod` is a user-space utility that parses `/proc/modules` and formats the output in a human-readable table, making it the standard command for listing loaded modules.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-2 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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Question Discussion
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