This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 user 'carol' is in group 'staff'. The directory /shared has permissions drwxrwx--- and group staff. Carol can create files but cannot delete other users' files. What is missing?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Set the sticky bit with 'chmod +t /shared'
Option A is correct: setting the sticky bit (+t) on the directory prevents users from deleting files they do not own. Option B (setgid) affects group inheritance, not deletion. Option C is not about directory. Option D is already not world-writable.
Key principle: Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Change carol's umask
Why it's wrong here
Umask affects default permissions, not the ability to delete others' files.
✗
Set the setgid bit with 'chmod g+s /shared'
Why it's wrong here
Setgid ensures new files inherit the directory's group, but does not prevent deletion.
✗
Change directory permissions to 770
Why it's wrong here
Permissions are already 770; that is not the issue.
✓
Set the sticky bit with 'chmod +t /shared'
Why this is correct
Sticky bit restricts deletion to file owners and root.
Common exam trap: usable hosts are not the same as total addresses
Subnetting questions often tempt you into counting all addresses. In normal IPv4 subnets, the network and broadcast addresses are not usable host addresses.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Subnetting questions test whether you can identify the network, broadcast address, usable range, mask and correct subnet. Slow down enough to calculate the block size correctly.
KKey Concepts to Remember
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
Block size helps identify subnet boundaries.
Network and broadcast addresses are not usable hosts in normal IPv4 subnets.
The required host count determines the smallest suitable subnet.
TExam Day Tips
→Write the block size before choosing the subnet.
→Check whether the question asks for hosts, subnets or a specific address range.
→Do not confuse /24, /25, /26 and /27 host counts.
Key takeaway
Count usable hosts — not total addresses — and remember that the network and broadcast addresses are not available to hosts in standard IPv4 subnets.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related EX200 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — CIDR notation defines the prefix length..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Set the sticky bit with 'chmod +t /shared' — Option A is correct: setting the sticky bit (+t) on the directory prevents users from deleting files they do not own. Option B (setgid) affects group inheritance, not deletion. Option C is not about directory. Option D is already not world-writable.
What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?
Review block sizes, usable host formulas (2^n − 2), and how to find network and broadcast addresses for /24 through /30. Then practise related EX200 subnetting questions on CIDR, address ranges, and subnet selection.
What is the key concept behind this question?
CIDR notation defines the prefix length.
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Question Discussion
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