This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of create and configure file systems. 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 system administrator needs to verify that the filesystem on /dev/sdb1 is ext4 before adding it to /etc/fstab. Which command provides this information?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "which command"
Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
mount -a
Why wrong: mount -a mounts all filesystems in /etc/fstab, does not show type.
df -Th /dev/sdb1
Why wrong: df -Th shows mounted filesystems; /dev/sdb1 may not be mounted.
fdisk -l /dev/sdb1
Why wrong: fdisk -l shows partition table, not filesystem type.
lsblk -f /dev/sdb1
lsblk -f displays filesystem type, UUID, and mount point.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
lsblk -f /dev/sdb1
The `lsblk -f /dev/sdb1` command displays the filesystem type (FSTYPE) for the specified block device, such as ext4. This is the most direct and reliable way to verify the filesystem on a specific partition before adding it to /etc/fstab.
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.
mount -a
Why it's wrong here
mount -a mounts all filesystems in /etc/fstab, does not show type.
df -Th /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
df -Th shows mounted filesystems; /dev/sdb1 may not be mounted.
fdisk -l /dev/sdb1
Why it's wrong here
fdisk -l shows partition table, not filesystem type.
lsblk -f /dev/sdb1
Why this is correct
lsblk -f displays filesystem type, UUID, and mount point.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often choose `df -Th` because it shows filesystem type, but they forget that it only works on mounted filesystems, whereas `lsblk -f` works on unmounted devices as well.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
mount -a mounts all filesystems in /etc/fstab, does not show type.
Detailed technical explanation
The `lsblk -f` command reads filesystem metadata directly from the block device using udev and libblkid, which probes the superblock for filesystem signatures (e.g., ext4 magic number 0xEF53). This works even if the filesystem is not mounted, making it ideal for pre-mount verification. In contrast, `df` relies on the kernel’s mounted filesystem list, and `fdisk` only interprets the partition table, not the filesystem within.
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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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FAQ
Create and configure file systems — This question tests Create and configure file systems — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: lsblk -f /dev/sdb1 — The `lsblk -f /dev/sdb1` command displays the filesystem type (FSTYPE) for the specified block device, such as ext4. This is the most direct and reliable way to verify the filesystem on a specific partition before adding it to /etc/fstab.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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