Quick Answer
The answer is `du -sh /home`, but the three commands that can check disk space usage of a partition are `df -h /home`, `du -sh /home`, and `lsblk` (or `fdisk -l`). The `df -h` command reports total, used, and available space for the entire mounted filesystem, making it the standard tool for partition-level checks, while `du -sh` summarizes the actual disk usage of the `/home` directory itself, and `lsblk` lists block devices with their sizes. On the Red Hat EX200 exam, this tests your ability to distinguish between filesystem-level reporting (`df`) and directory-level usage (`du`); a common trap is using `du` on a partition mount point and expecting the same output as `df`, but `du` only shows file contents, not reserved blocks or metadata overhead. Remember the mnemonic: “df for free, du for used” — `df` shows how much space is free on the partition, while `du` shows how much space the files inside it are actually consuming.
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 THREE commands can be used to check the disk space usage of the /home partition?
df -h /home
Shows free and used space.
lsblk /dev/sda1
Shows size of block device.
fdisk -l /dev/sda
Why wrong: Shows partition table, not usage.
parted /dev/sda print
Why wrong: Shows partition layout, not usage.
du -sh /home
Shows total size of /home.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
df -h /home
Option A is correct because `df -h /home` displays the disk space usage of the /home filesystem in human-readable format (e.g., GB, MB). The `df` command reports the total, used, and available space for mounted filesystems, making it the standard tool for checking partition-level disk usage.
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.
df -h /home
Why this is correct
Shows free and used space.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
lsblk /dev/sda1
Why this is correct
Shows size of block device.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
fdisk -l /dev/sda
Why it's wrong here
Shows partition table, not usage.
parted /dev/sda print
Why it's wrong here
Shows partition layout, not usage.
du -sh /home
Why this is correct
Shows total size of /home.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse partition table tools (fdisk, parted) with filesystem usage tools (df, du), or mistakenly think `lsblk` shows disk space usage when it only shows device size and mount points.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Shows partition table, not usage.
Detailed technical explanation
The `df` command reads filesystem statistics from the kernel via the statfs() system call, which queries superblock data for each mounted filesystem. The `-h` flag converts raw 1024-byte blocks into human-readable units (e.g., GiB). In contrast, `du -sh /home` recursively sums the disk usage of all files under /home, which can differ from `df` due to metadata overhead, reserved blocks, or unlinked files still held open by processes.
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: df -h /home — Option A is correct because `df -h /home` displays the disk space usage of the /home filesystem in human-readable format (e.g., GB, MB). The `df` command reports the total, used, and available space for mounted filesystems, making it the standard tool for checking partition-level disk usage.
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
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.
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