This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of configure local storage. 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.
Exhibit
# parted /dev/sdc print
Model: VMware Virtual disk (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdc: 2147MB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Disk Flags:
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
1 1049kB 2147MB 2146MB xfs primary
# mount /dev/sdc1 /mnt
mount: /mnt: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sdc1, missing codepage or helper program, or other error.
Refer to the exhibit. An administrator attempts to mount the partition but receives an error. Which command should be run first to resolve the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "first"
Why it matters: Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
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.
Exhibit
# parted /dev/sdc print
Model: VMware Virtual disk (scsi)
Disk /dev/sdc: 2147MB
Sector size (logical/physical): 512B/512B
Partition Table: gpt
Disk Flags:
Number Start End Size File system Name Flags
1 1049kB 2147MB 2146MB xfs primary
# mount /dev/sdc1 /mnt
mount: /mnt: wrong fs type, bad option, bad superblock on /dev/sdc1, missing codepage or helper program, or other error.
A
xfs_repair /dev/sdc1
Why wrong: xfs_repair is for repairing XFS filesystems, but the error might be due to no filesystem at all.
B
file -s /dev/sdc1
The file command checks the actual filesystem type; the partition table shows xfs but maybe it's not created yet.
C
partprobe /dev/sdc
Why wrong: partprobe updates the kernel partition table; not relevant to filesystem type mismatch.
D
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdc1
Why wrong: Creating a new filesystem would destroy data; troubleshooting should start with checking the filesystem.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
file -s /dev/sdc1
The error indicates that the partition /dev/sdc1 does not contain a recognized filesystem. Running 'file -s /dev/sdc1' displays the actual data on the partition, confirming whether a filesystem exists or if the partition is raw. This diagnostic step is essential before any repair or formatting action.
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.
✗
xfs_repair /dev/sdc1
Why it's wrong here
xfs_repair is for repairing XFS filesystems, but the error might be due to no filesystem at all.
✓
file -s /dev/sdc1
Why this is correct
The file command checks the actual filesystem type; the partition table shows xfs but maybe it's not created yet.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "first", "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
partprobe /dev/sdc
Why it's wrong here
partprobe updates the kernel partition table; not relevant to filesystem type mismatch.
✗
mkfs.xfs /dev/sdc1
Why it's wrong here
Creating a new filesystem would destroy data; troubleshooting should start with checking the filesystem.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that RHCSA candidates often jump to xfs_repair or mkfs.xfs without first checking if a filesystem exists using 'file -s'. In Red Hat Enterprise Linux, always diagnose before repairing or formatting.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The 'file -s' command reads the first few bytes of the block device and compares them against magic numbers for known filesystems (e.g., XFS superblock starts with 'XFSB'). If no magic is found, it reports 'data', indicating the partition is unformatted. In a real-world scenario, an administrator might mistakenly attempt to mount a partition that was never formatted, or one that was accidentally overwritten; 'file -s' provides a quick, non-destructive way to verify the filesystem type before taking further action.
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.
Visual reference
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.
Configure local storage — This question tests Configure local storage — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: file -s /dev/sdc1 — The error indicates that the partition /dev/sdc1 does not contain a recognized filesystem. Running 'file -s /dev/sdc1' displays the actual data on the partition, confirming whether a filesystem exists or if the partition is raw. This diagnostic step is essential before any repair or formatting action.
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: "first", "which command". Order matters here. You are being tested on which action comes before the others — not which action is generally useful.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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