This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create simple shell scripts. 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 new intern created a script to display the current user's home directory:
#!/bin/bash echo "Home directory: $home"
The script outputs 'Home directory: ' with nothing after the colon. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The HOME variable is not set in the environment.
Why wrong: HOME is almost always set; the script runs in a login shell or similar.
There is a typo: it should be $HOME, not $home.
bash is case-sensitive; $home is a different variable, likely unset.
The script is run with 'sh' instead of 'bash'.
Why wrong: Both sh and bash set HOME.
The root user has no home directory.
Why wrong: Root's home is /root by default.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
There is a typo: it should be $HOME, not $home.
Option D is correct because the variable name should be uppercase HOME, not lower case home. bash is case-sensitive, so $home is not set. Option A is possible but less likely because HOME is usually set. Option B is false; sh also sets HOME. Option C is false; root has /root.
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.
The HOME variable is not set in the environment.
Why it's wrong here
HOME is almost always set; the script runs in a login shell or similar.
There is a typo: it should be $HOME, not $home.
Why this is correct
bash is case-sensitive; $home is a different variable, likely unset.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
The script is run with 'sh' instead of 'bash'.
Why it's wrong here
Both sh and bash set HOME.
The root user has no home directory.
Why it's wrong here
Root's home is /root by default.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
HOME is almost always set; the script runs in a login shell or similar.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
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 EX200 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
Identify which EX200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Create simple shell scripts — This question tests Create simple shell scripts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: There is a typo: it should be $HOME, not $home. — Option D is correct because the variable name should be uppercase HOME, not lower case home. bash is case-sensitive, so $home is not set. Option A is possible but less likely because HOME is usually set. Option B is false; sh also sets HOME. Option C is false; root has /root.
Identify which EX200 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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