- A
--exclude=/tmp
Excludes the /tmp directory.
- B
--ignore-failed-read
Why wrong: Ignores unreadable files, does not exclude.
- C
--exclude-from=/tmp
Why wrong: Reads exclude list from file /tmp, not exclude the directory.
- D
-X /tmp
Why wrong: Same as --exclude-from; treats /tmp as a file with patterns.
Question 457 of 537
EX200 Essential Tools Practice Question
This EX200 practice question tests your understanding of essential tools. 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 backup script uses tar to create an archive, but the administrator wants to exclude the /tmp directory from the backup. Which tar option should be added?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
--exclude=/tmp
Option A is correct because the `--exclude=PATTERN` option in tar tells the command to skip files or directories matching the given pattern. By specifying `--exclude=/tmp`, the tar archive will omit the /tmp directory and all its contents, which is exactly what the administrator needs for the backup script.
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.
- ✓
--exclude=/tmp
Why this is correct
Excludes the /tmp directory.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
--ignore-failed-read
Why it's wrong here
Ignores unreadable files, does not exclude.
- ✗
--exclude-from=/tmp
Why it's wrong here
Reads exclude list from file /tmp, not exclude the directory.
- ✗
-X /tmp
Why it's wrong here
Same as --exclude-from; treats /tmp as a file with patterns.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse `--exclude` (which excludes a pattern) with `--exclude-from` (which reads patterns from a file), leading them to pick option C or D, thinking they can pass a directory path directly to exclude it.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `--exclude` option accepts shell glob patterns, so `--exclude=/tmp` matches the exact path /tmp at the root of the archive. If the backup is run from the root filesystem, this works cleanly; however, if the tar command is run from a subdirectory, the pattern may need to be relative (e.g., `--exclude=tmp`). In real-world scripts, administrators often combine `--exclude` with `--one-file-system` to avoid crossing mount points, ensuring that /tmp (which is often a separate tmpfs mount) is not included even if not explicitly excluded.
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.
- →
Essential Tools — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this EX200 question test?
Essential Tools — This question tests Essential Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: --exclude=/tmp — Option A is correct because the `--exclude=PATTERN` option in tar tells the command to skip files or directories matching the given pattern. By specifying `--exclude=/tmp`, the tar archive will omit the /tmp directory and all its contents, which is exactly what the administrator needs for the backup script.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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