This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of manage users and groups. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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 named jdoe is receiving 'Permission denied' errors when trying to access a file owned by root with permissions 644. The user is a member of the root group. 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 directory containing the file lacks execute permission for the group or others.
Option A is correct: even if file permissions allow read, the user must have execute permission on the directory to traverse it. The directory likely has no execute for group/others.
B
The file's group owner is not root.
Why wrong: Option C is incorrect; the file's group is root as per permissions 644 (owner root, group root).
C
The file's read permission is not granted to the root group.
Why wrong: Option B is incorrect because file has group read (r-- for group).
D
The user needs to be added to the root group again.
Why wrong: Option D is incorrect; the user is already a member of the root group.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The directory containing the file lacks execute permission for the group or others.
The file has permissions 644, meaning the owner (root) has read/write, and the group (root) and others have read-only access. Since jdoe is a member of the root group, the file's group read permission should allow access. However, to traverse a directory and access any file within it, the user needs execute (x) permission on that directory. If the directory lacks execute for the group or others, jdoe will get 'Permission denied' even if the file permissions are correct.
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.
✓
The directory containing the file lacks execute permission for the group or others.
Why this is correct
Option A is correct: even if file permissions allow read, the user must have execute permission on the directory to traverse it. The directory likely has no execute for group/others.
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 file's group owner is not root.
Why it's wrong here
Option C is incorrect; the file's group is root as per permissions 644 (owner root, group root).
✗
The file's read permission is not granted to the root group.
Why it's wrong here
Option B is incorrect because file has group read (r-- for group).
✗
The user needs to be added to the root group again.
Why it's wrong here
Option D is incorrect; the user is already a member of the root group.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates focus solely on file permissions (644) and overlook that directory execute permission is required for file access, leading them to incorrectly suspect group membership or file group ownership issues.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, directory execute permission (often called the 'search' bit) is required to resolve path components and access inodes within that directory. Without it, the kernel's path-walking routine (e.g., in `path_lookupat()`) will fail with EACCES, even if the target file's permissions are sufficient. A real-world scenario is when a user can read a file but cannot list or traverse its parent directory, causing confusing 'Permission denied' errors on direct file access.
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 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
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.
Manage users and groups — This question tests Manage users and groups — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The directory containing the file lacks execute permission for the group or others. — The file has permissions 644, meaning the owner (root) has read/write, and the group (root) and others have read-only access. Since jdoe is a member of the root group, the file's group read permission should allow access. However, to traverse a directory and access any file within it, the user needs execute (x) permission on that directory. If the directory lacks execute for the group or others, jdoe will get 'Permission denied' even if the file permissions are correct.
What should I do if I get this EX200 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
This EX200 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Red Hat 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 EX200 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.