Why file system navigation is the first skill in Linux CLI - Test Your Understanding

Practice - 5 Tasks

1fill in blank

easy

Complete the code to list files in the current directory.

Linux CLI

ls [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A-l

B-z

C-x

D-q

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using options that do not exist or do not show file details.

The -l option shows detailed information about files, which is a common way to view directory contents.

2fill in blank

medium

Complete the command to change directory to the user's home folder.

Linux CLI

cd [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A/root

B~

C/etc

D/var

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using absolute paths to system folders instead of the home directory shortcut.

The tilde ~ symbol represents the current user's home directory in Linux.

3fill in blank

hard

Fix the error in the command to move up one directory level.

Linux CLI

cd [1]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A~/

B.

C..

D/

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using a single dot which means current directory, not parent.

The double dot .. means the parent directory, so cd .. moves up one level.

4fill in blank

hard

Fill both blanks to create a directory and then move into it.

Linux CLI

mkdir [1] && cd [2]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

Anew_folder

Bold_folder

Dtemp

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Using different folder names for creation and navigation.

You first create a directory named new_folder and then change into it with cd new_folder.

5fill in blank

hard

Fill all three blanks to list all files including hidden ones in long format inside a directory.

Linux CLI

ls [1] [2] [3]

Drag options to blanks, or click blank then click option'

A-a

B-l

C/home/user

D-h

Attempts:

3 left

💡 Hint

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to include the directory path or mixing options.

The -a option shows hidden files, -l shows details, and /home/user specifies the directory.

Practice

1. Why is file system navigation considered the first skill to learn in Linux command line?

easy

A. Because it automatically fixes file errors.

B. Because it allows you to install software.

C. Because it lets you change system settings directly.

D. Because it helps you find and manage files easily.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of navigation commands

   Commands like cd, ls, and pwd help you move around and see files and folders.

2. Step 2: Recognize the importance of managing files

   Being able to find and organize files is essential before doing other tasks like installing software or changing settings.

3. Final Answer:

   Because it helps you find and manage files easily. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Navigation = Manage files easily [OK]

Hint: Remember: navigation = finding and managing files [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking navigation installs software
• Confusing navigation with system settings
• Believing navigation fixes file errors automatically

2. Which of the following is the correct command to change directory to the home folder in Linux?

easy

A. cd /home

B. ls ~

C. cd ~

D. pwd ~

Solution

1. Step 1: Identify the command to change directory

   The command to change directory is cd.

2. Step 2: Recognize the shortcut for home directory

   The tilde ~ represents the home directory, so cd ~ moves you there.

3. Final Answer:

   cd ~ -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   cd ~ changes to home [OK]

Hint: Use cd ~ to go home quickly [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using ls ~ which lists files, not changes directory
• Using pwd ~ which is invalid syntax
• Using cd /home which may not be the user's home

3. What will be the output of the following commands sequence?

cd /tmp
pwd
cd ..
pwd

medium

A. /tmp
/

B. /tmp
/tmp

C. /
/tmp

D. /
/

Solution

1. Step 1: Execute cd /tmp and pwd

   Changing directory to /tmp and printing working directory shows /tmp.

2. Step 2: Execute cd .. and pwd

   Moving up one directory from /tmp goes to /. Printing working directory now shows /.

3. Final Answer:

   /tmp / -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   cd /tmp then cd .. moves to root [OK]

Hint: Remember: cd .. moves up one folder [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking cd .. stays in the same folder
• Confusing output order
• Assuming pwd shows previous directory

4. You run the command cd documents but get an error: bash: cd: documents: No such file or directory. What is the most likely cause?

medium

A. The folder 'documents' does not exist in the current directory.

B. The 'cd' command is misspelled.

C. You need to use 'ls' before 'cd'.

D. You are already in the documents folder.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the error message

   The error says the folder 'documents' does not exist in the current directory.

2. Step 2: Check the folder existence

   If the folder is not there, cd documents will fail with this error.

3. Final Answer:

   The folder 'documents' does not exist in the current directory. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Error means folder missing [OK]

Hint: Check folder exists before cd [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Assuming 'cd' is misspelled
• Thinking 'ls' must run before 'cd'
• Believing you are already inside the folder

5. You want to write a script that lists all files in your home directory, then moves into the Documents folder inside home, and finally prints the current directory path. Which sequence of commands is correct?

hard

A. cd ~/Documents
ls ~
pwd

B. ls ~
cd ~/Documents
pwd

C. pwd
cd ~
ls Documents

D. ls Documents
cd ~
pwd

Solution

1. Step 1: List files in home directory

   The command ls ~ lists files in the home directory.

2. Step 2: Change directory to Documents inside home

   cd ~/Documents moves into the Documents folder inside home.

3. Step 3: Print current directory path

   pwd shows the current directory, which should now be Documents.

4. Final Answer:

   ls ~ cd ~/Documents pwd -> Option B

5. Quick Check:

   List home, cd Documents, print path [OK]

Hint: List home first, then cd Documents, then pwd [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Changing directory before listing home files
• Listing wrong folder
• Printing path before changing directory