Quick Answer
The answer is to use either `tar -tzf archive.tar.gz` or `zcat archive.tar.gz | tar -t`. Both commands allow you to view the contents of a tar.gz archive without extracting it because the `-t` option tells tar to list the table of contents from the archive’s metadata, while `-z` handles the gzip decompression on the fly and `-f` specifies the file. The `zcat` variant achieves the same by decompressing the stream before piping it to tar’s list mode. On the Red Hat Certified System Administrator EX200 exam, this tests your ability to inspect compressed backups or software packages without modifying the filesystem—a common task when verifying archive integrity or locating specific files before extraction. A frequent trap is forgetting the `-z` flag or trying to use `tar -tf` alone, which fails on compressed archives. Memory tip: think “t for table, z for zip, f for file” to recall `tar -tzf`.
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.
Which TWO commands can be used to view the contents of a compressed file named 'archive.tar.gz' without extracting it?
gzip -d archive.tar.gz
Why wrong: Decompresses, not list.
tar -tzf archive.tar.gz
Lists contents of tar.gz.
gunzip -c archive.tar.gz
Why wrong: Decompresses to stdout, but not list.
tar -xf archive.tar.gz
Why wrong: Extracts the archive.
zcat archive.tar.gz | tar -t
Decompresses and lists.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
tar -tzf archive.tar.gz
Option B is correct because `tar -tzf archive.tar.gz` lists the contents of a gzip-compressed tar archive without extracting it. The `-t` option tells tar to list the table of contents, `-z` filters the archive through gzip decompression, and `-f` specifies the archive file. This command reads the archive metadata directly without writing any files to disk.
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.
gzip -d archive.tar.gz
Why it's wrong here
Decompresses, not list.
tar -tzf archive.tar.gz
Why this is correct
Lists contents of tar.gz.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
gunzip -c archive.tar.gz
Why it's wrong here
Decompresses to stdout, but not list.
tar -xf archive.tar.gz
Why it's wrong here
Extracts the archive.
zcat archive.tar.gz | tar -t
Why this is correct
Decompresses and lists.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse decompression commands (like `gunzip -c`) with listing commands, or they assume `tar -xf` can list contents because of the `-x` (extract) flag, but `-x` always writes files unless combined with `-t` which overrides it to list mode.
Detailed technical explanation
The `tar -t` option reads the tar header blocks sequentially to list filenames, permissions, and metadata without extracting data blocks. The `-z` flag invokes an internal gzip decompression pipeline (using zlib) so that tar can interpret the compressed stream. In real-world scenarios, listing contents before extraction is critical for verifying integrity, checking for path traversal attacks (e.g., files with absolute paths or `..` entries), or confirming file sizes when disk space is limited.
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
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FAQ
Essential Tools — This question tests Essential Tools — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: tar -tzf archive.tar.gz — Option B is correct because `tar -tzf archive.tar.gz` lists the contents of a gzip-compressed tar archive without extracting it. The `-t` option tells tar to list the table of contents, `-z` filters the archive through gzip decompression, and `-f` specifies the archive file. This command reads the archive metadata directly without writing any files to disk.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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