Opening and using the terminal in Linux CLI - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

💻 Command Output

intermediate

What is the output of the command pwd?

You open a terminal and run the command pwd. What does it show?

Linux CLI

pwd

A /home/username

B List of files in the current directory

C Shows the current date and time

D An error message saying command not found

💡 Hint

Think about what 'pwd' stands for and what it tells you.

The pwd command prints the current working directory path. It shows where you are in the file system.

💻 Command Output

intermediate

What happens when you run ls -l in the terminal?

You type ls -l and press Enter. What output do you expect?

Linux CLI

ls -l

A An error saying invalid option

B Only the names of files and directories without details

C The current directory path

D A detailed list of files and directories with permissions, owner, size, and date

💡 Hint

The -l option means 'long format'.

The ls -l command lists files with detailed info like permissions, owner, size, and modification date.

📝 Syntax

advanced

Which command correctly changes directory to the parent folder?

You want to move one folder up from your current location. Which command is correct?

A cd /

B cd ..

C cd .

D cd ../..

💡 Hint

The parent folder is one level above the current folder.

The command cd .. moves you up one directory level (to the parent folder).

💻 Command Output

advanced

What error appears if you try to run cd nonexistent_folder?

You type cd nonexistent_folder where the folder does not exist. What is the output?

Linux CLI

cd nonexistent_folder

A bash: cd: nonexistent_folder: No such file or directory

B Moved to nonexistent_folder

C Permission denied

D Command not found

💡 Hint

Think about what happens when you try to enter a folder that does not exist.

The shell shows an error saying the folder does not exist when you try to change to it.

🚀 Application

expert

How many files and directories are listed by ls -a in a folder with 3 visible files and 2 hidden files?

You have 3 normal files and 2 hidden files (names start with a dot) in a folder. What is the total number of items shown by ls -a?

Linux CLI

ls -a

A 5

B 6

C 7

D 3

💡 Hint

Remember that ls -a also shows '.' and '..' entries.

The ls -a command shows all files including hidden ones and the special entries '.' (current directory) and '..' (parent directory). So total is 3 visible + 2 hidden + 2 special = 7.