Q1.

Which of the following commands correctly assigns a value to a shell

variable?

a) x = 5​
b) x==5​
c) x=5 ✅​
d) $x=5​
e) set x=5

Explanation: In bash, there must be no spaces around the = operator while assigning values to
variables.

🧩 Shell Scripting Basics & Variables (Q1–Q25)

Q1. Which of the following lines correctly defines the shell interpreter for a
Bash script?

a) #!/bin/bash ✅​
b) #bash​
c) bash!​
d) @!/bin/sh​
e) #!/usr/bin/env

Explanation: #!/bin/bash is the shebang line that specifies the Bash interpreter path.

Q2. Which command makes a shell script executable?

a) run [Link]​
b) chmod +x [Link] ✅​
c) exec [Link]​
d) bash -x [Link]​
e) set +x [Link]

Explanation: chmod +x gives execution permission to the script file.

Q3. Which command is used to execute a shell script in the current shell
context?

a) bash [Link]​
b) sh [Link]​
c) source [Link] ✅​
d) ./[Link]​
e) exec ./[Link]

Explanation: source (or .) runs the script in the current shell, keeping variables persistent.

Q4. How do you display the current shell being used?

a) echo $0 ✅​
b) cat /etc/shell​
c) ls -s​
d) show shell​
e) whoami

Explanation: $0 contains the name of the shell or script being executed.

Q5. Which of the following is not a valid shell in UNIX?

a) /bin/bash​
b) /bin/ksh​
c) /bin/csh​
d) /bin/vsh ✅​
e) /bin/sh

Explanation: /bin/vsh is not a standard shell; others are valid UNIX shells.

Q6. What is the output of:

x=10
y=20
echo $x+$y
a) 30​
b) 1020​

✅​
c) $x+$y​
d) 10+20
e) Error

Explanation: Variables are expanded but not evaluated arithmetically without expr or $(( )).

Q7. What is the output of:

num=5
echo "$num*2"

✅
a) 10​
b) 5*2 ​
c) *2​
d) 7​
e) Error

Explanation: The * is not interpreted as multiplication; use $((num*2)) for arithmetic.

Q8. Which command allows arithmetic operations in Bash?

a) add​
b) calc​
c) $(( )) ✅​
d) expr[]​
e) math()

Explanation: Arithmetic expansion in Bash is done using $((expression)).

Q9. How can you read user input in Bash?

a) scan​
b) read ✅​
c) input​
d) cin​
e) in

Explanation: The read command is used to take input from the user.

Q10. What is the correct way to read input into variable name?

a) name=read​
b) read name ✅​
c) input name​
d) scan name​
e) readname

Explanation: Syntax: read variable_name assigns input to that variable.

Q11. Which of the following commands shows the exit status of the last
executed command?

a) $!​
b) $@​
c) $? ✅​
d) $#​
e) $$

Explanation: $? holds the exit status of the last command executed.

Q12. What is the output of:

x=7
((x++))
echo $x

a) 6​

✅​
b) 7​
c) 8
d) ++7​
e) Syntax Error

Explanation: Post-increment increases x by 1 after evaluation; final value is 8.

Q13. Which of the following variables stores the process ID of the current
shell?

a) $@​
b) $#​
c) $$ ✅​
d) $?​
e) $PID

Explanation: $$ expands to the PID of the current shell process.

Q14. What does set -x do in a shell script?

✅
a) Stops script execution​
b) Enables debugging ​
c) Disables all variables​
d) Lists shell variables​
e) Clears screen

Explanation: set -x enables debugging mode, printing each command before execution.

Q15. Which of the following commands unsets a variable?

a) clear var​
b) remove var​
c) unset var ✅​
d) delete var​
e) erase var

Explanation: unset deletes a variable from the shell environment.

Q16. What is the difference between $var and ${var} in shell?

a) No difference ​ ✅
b) ${var} gives value, $var gives address​
c) $var is slower​
d) ${var} creates array​
e) $var is deprecated

Explanation: Both reference variable values; braces help in concatenation clarity.

Q17. What is the output of:

var="World"
echo "Hello $var!"

a) Hello World! ✅​
b) Hello var!​
c) Hello$var!​
d) World!​
e) Error

Explanation: Variable substitution replaces $var with its value.

Q18. Which command lists all shell variables and functions?

a) echo $*​
b) set ✅​
c) showvars​
d) env​
e) vars

Explanation: set without arguments lists all variables and functions.

Q19. Which statement correctly concatenates two variables a and b?

a) c = $a$b​
b) c=$a$b ✅​
c) c=a+b​
d) c=${a+b}​
e) concat a b

Explanation: Concatenation in bash is done by directly adjoining variables.

Q20. What is the output of:

a=5
b=10
echo $((a>b))

a) 5​
b) 10​

✅
c) true​
d) 0 ​
e) 1

Explanation: Returns 1 if true, 0 if false; here a>b is false.

Q21. What happens if you execute a script without #!/bin/bash?

✅​
a) It fails to execute​
b) Runs using system’s default shell
c) Runs as plain text​
d) Asks for interpreter​
e) Generates syntax error

Explanation: If no shebang is present, system uses default shell (e.g., /bin/sh).

Q22. What is the default value of an uninitialized variable?

a) null​
b) 0​
c) Empty string ✅​
d) undefined​
e) NaN
Explanation: Uninitialized variables expand to an empty string by default.

Q23. Which option of echo prevents automatic newline at the end?

a) -l​
b) -n ✅​
c) -e​
d) -E​
e) -s

Explanation: echo -n omits the trailing newline.

Q24. What is the output of:

echo $((2+3*2))

a) 10 ✅ ​
b) 8​
c) 7​
d) 12​
e) Error

Explanation: Follows normal arithmetic precedence — multiplication before addition.

Q25. What is the purpose of export command in shell?

a) To remove a variable​

✅​
b) To assign a variable​
c) To make variable available to child processes
d) To unset variables​
e) To hide variable from environment

Explanation: export marks variables to be inherited by subshells or child processes.

🧩 Shell Script Arguments & If Statements (Q26–Q50)

Q26. In a shell script, $0 refers to:

a) The first argument​

✅
b) The number of arguments​
c) The script name ​
d) The last argument​
e) Exit status

Explanation: $0 holds the name of the script being executed.

Q27. $1, $2, $3, … represent:

✅​
a) Lines in the file​
b) Command-line arguments
c) Shell variables​
d) Loop counters​
e) Function parameters

Explanation: $1, $2, etc., are positional parameters for arguments passed to the script.

Q28. Which variable gives the total number of command-line arguments?

a) $@​
b) $*​
c) $# ✅​
d) $?​
e) $0

Explanation: $# expands to the count of command-line arguments.

Q29. Which of the following prints all command-line arguments as a single

string?

a) $@​
b) $* ✅​
c) $#​
d) $?​
e) $0

Explanation: $* expands all positional parameters as one string.

Q30. Which of the following prints all arguments as separate quoted

strings?

a) $@ ✅​
b) $*​
c) $#​
d) $?​
e) $0

Explanation: $@ treats each argument as an individual word.

Q31. What is the output of:

echo "First: $1 Second: $2"

if the script is run as ./[Link] hello world?​

✅
a) First: hello Second: world ​
b) First: world Second: hello​
c) First: $1 Second: $2​
d) First: [Link] Second: hello​
e) Error

Explanation: $1 = first argument, $2 = second argument.

Q32. If no arguments are passed, what is $# equal to?

✅
a) 1​
b) 0 ​
c) null​
d) undefined​
e) -1
Explanation: $# shows count of arguments; if none passed, it’s 0.

Q33. What is the output of:

echo "$*"

if the script is run as: ./[Link] one two three​

a) one two three✅ ​
b) "one" "two" "three"​
c) one​
d) three​
e) Error

Explanation: $* joins all arguments separated by the first character of IFS (default space).

Q34. How to check if at least one argument was passed to a script?

a) if $# -gt 1​
b) if [ $# -ge 1 ] ✅​
c) if $# == 1​
d) if [ $# = 0 ]​
e) if test $#

Explanation: [ $# -ge 1 ] checks if the count of arguments is ≥ 1.

Q35. What will $@ expand to inside double quotes?

✅​
a) All arguments as one word​
b) Each argument as separate word
c) No expansion​
d) Only first argument​
e) Error

Explanation: "$@" expands each argument separately, preserving spacing.

Q36. What does the if statement test in shell scripts?

✅​
a) Whether a string is null​
b) Return value of a command
c) Loop iteration​
d) Shell version​
e) Variable scope

Explanation: The if condition tests the exit status (0 = true, nonzero = false).

Q37. Which command is used with if to test file types and comparisons?

a) test ✅​
b) check​
c) cmp​
d) assert​
e) verify

Explanation: test (or [ ]) checks file existence, strings, numbers, etc.

Q38. Which syntax is correct for if in Bash?

a) if (condition)​
b) if { condition }​
c) if [ condition ]; then ... fi ✅​
d) if < condition > fi​
e) if { condition; done }

Explanation: The correct structure is if [ condition ]; then ... fi.

Q39. What is the output of:

a=10
b=20
if [ $a -lt $b ]; then
echo "Smaller"
fi
 ✅​
a) Larger​
b) Smaller
c) Equal​
d) Error​
e) None

Explanation: $a -lt $b evaluates true, printing “Smaller”.

Q40. Which operator checks equality of two strings?

a) -eq​
b) -lt​
c) == ✅​
d) =​
e) -eqs

Explanation: For strings, == (inside [[ ]]) checks equality.

Q41. What is the output of:

str="hello"
if [ "$str" == "hello" ]; then
echo "Match"
else
echo "No"
fi

✅
a) hello​
b) Match ​
c) No​
d) Error​
e) hello hello

Explanation: Condition true → prints “Match”.

Q42. Which syntax checks if file [Link] exists?

a) [ -e [Link] ] ✅​
b) [ -x [Link] ]​
c) [ -f [Link] ]​
d) [ [Link] ]​
e) [ -d [Link] ]

Explanation: -e tests file existence (of any type).

Q43. How to check if a variable x is empty?

a) [ $x == null ]​
b) [ -n $x ]​
c) [ -z $x ] ✅​
d) [ empty $x ]​
e) [ $x -eq 0 ]

Explanation: -z returns true if the string length is zero.

Q44. What is the output of:

num=15
if (( num % 5 == 0 )); then
echo "Divisible"
else
echo "Not"
fi

a) 3​

✅​
b) 0​
c) Divisible
d) Not​
e) Error

Explanation: Arithmetic evaluation uses (( )), result is true → “Divisible”.

Q45. Which construct checks if file [Link] is a regular file?

a) [ -d [Link] ]​
b) [ -r [Link] ]​
c) [ -f [Link] ] ✅​
d) [ -s [Link] ]​
e) [ -a [Link] ]

Explanation: -f returns true if a regular file exists.

Q46. Which syntax correctly performs logical AND in if?

a) if [ cond1 & cond2 ]​

b) if [ cond1 -and cond2 ]​
c) if [ cond1 ] && [ cond2 ] ✅​
d) if [ cond1 && cond2 ]​
e) if (cond1, cond2)

Explanation: Bash uses && between two conditions for AND logic.

Q47. Which syntax performs logical OR in if?

a) if [ cond1 || cond2 ]​
b) if [ cond1 -or cond2 ]​
c) if [ cond1 ] || [ cond2 ] ✅​
d) if cond1 or cond2​
e) if {cond1 || cond2}

Explanation: Use || for OR between test statements.

Q48. What is the output of:

a=5
if [ $a -ge 10 ]; then
echo "High"
else
 echo "Low"
fi

✅
a) High​
b) Low ​
c) Error​
d) Nothing​
e) 10

Explanation: 5 -ge 10 is false, so “Low” is printed.

Q49. Which command tests if file [Link] has read permission?

a) [ -r [Link] ] ✅​
b) [ -p [Link] ]​
c) [ -s [Link] ]​
d) [ -x [Link] ]​
e) [ -a [Link] ]

Explanation: -r checks if the file is readable.

Q50. What does elif mean in shell scripting?

a) Else-if condition ✅​
b) Else loop​
c) End of file​
d) Else final​
e) End of if

Explanation: elif provides an additional condition when the previous if fails.

🧩 Loops and Return/Exit Status (Q51–Q75)

Q51. Which is the correct syntax of a for loop in Bash?
a) for (i=0;i<10;i++)​
b) for i in 1..10​
c) for i in {1..10}; do ... done ✅​
d) for(i=1;i<=10;i++)do​
e) for each i in 1 to 10

Explanation: Bash uses for var in list; do … done syntax. {1..10} generates a
sequence.

Q52. What is the output of:

for i in 1 2 3
do
echo $i
done

a) 123​
b) 1 2 3​
c)

1
2
3
``` ✅
d) [1,2,3]
e) Error

**Explanation:** Each element is printed on a new line by default.

---

### **Q53.** What is the output of:

```bash
for i in {1..3}
do
echo -n "$i "
done
 ✅
a) 123​
b) 1 2 3 ​
c) {1..3}​
d) Error​
e) 1\n2\n3

Explanation: {1..3} expands to 1 2 3; -n prevents newlines.

Q54. How do you create a C-style for loop in Bash?

a) for (i=0;i<5;i++)​
b) for ((i=0;i<5;i++)) ✅​
c) loop i=0 to 5​
d) while (i<5)​
e) foreach i in range(5)

Explanation: Bash supports for ((init; condition; increment)) syntax.

Q55. What will this code print?

for ((i=1;i<=3;i++))
do
echo "Count $i"
done

a) Count 1 Count 2 Count 3 ✅​

b) 1 2 3​
c) Count 1​
d) Error​
e) i=1 i=2 i=3

Explanation: C-style loop iterates 3 times, printing the counter.

Q56. Which loop is used when the number of iterations is not known?

a) for​
b) until​
c) while ✅ ​
d) repeat​
e) foreach

Explanation: while is preferred for condition-based indefinite iteration.

Q57. What does this script do?

count=1
while [ $count -le 3 ]
do
echo "Hello $count"
((count++))
done

✅​
a) Infinite loop​
b) Prints Hello 1 Hello 2 Hello 3
c) Syntax error​
d) Prints 1, 2, 3 only​
e) Prints 4 times

Explanation: The loop runs 3 times until $count becomes 4.

Q58. Which loop runs until a condition becomes true?

a) while​

✅
b) for​
c) until ​
d) do-while​
e) if

Explanation: The until loop runs until its test condition is true (reverse of while).

Q59. What is the output of:

x=1
until [ $x -gt 3 ]
do
 echo $x
((x++))
done

✅
a) 1 2​
b) 1 2 3 ​
c) Infinite loop​
d) 1 2 3 4​
e) None

Explanation: Executes until $x -gt 3 becomes true, printing 1–3.

Q60. What will happen if you forget done at the end of a loop?

✅
a) Script exits​
b) Syntax error ​
c) Runs forever​
d) Ignores loop​
e) Prints nothing

Explanation: Missing done causes a syntax error since it ends the loop block.

Q61. What is the output of:

for i in 1 2 3 4
do
[ $i -eq 3 ] && break
echo $i
done

✅
a) 1 2 3 4​
b) 1 2 ​
c) 1 2 3​
d) 3 4​
e) None

Explanation: break stops the loop when i==3, printing only 1 and 2.
Q62. What is the output of:
for i in 1 2 3 4
do
[ $i -eq 2 ] && continue
echo $i
done

a) 1 3 4 ✅ ​
b) 1 2 3 4​
c) 1 2 4​
d) 2 3 4​
e) None

Explanation: continue skips the iteration when i==2.

Q63. What is the output of:

for i in {1..5}
do
((i==3)) && exit
echo $i
done

✅
a) 1 2 3 4 5​
b) 1 2 ​
c) 1 2 3​
d) None​
e) 2 3 4 5

Explanation: exit terminates the entire script when i==3.

Q64. What is the purpose of break in shell scripting?

✅​
a) Exits script​
b) Stops current loop
c) Skips next iteration​
d) Resets loop counter​
e) Ends function

Explanation: break exits the innermost loop immediately.

Q65. What is the purpose of continue in shell scripting?

a) Ends the script​

✅​
b) Restarts script​
c) Skips current iteration
d) Restarts loop​
e) Pauses execution

Explanation: continue jumps to next iteration without executing remaining loop body.

Q66. What does $? return after successful execution of a command?

✅
a) 1​
b) 0 ​
c) -1​
d) null​
e) True

Explanation: Exit status 0 means success; nonzero means failure.

Q67. What is the output of:

grep "word" [Link]
echo $?

if the word exists in [Link]?​

✅
a) 1​
b) 0 ​
c) True​
d) Success​
e) 2
Explanation: grep returns 0 if match is found.

Q68. What does return do inside a shell function?

a) Terminates script​

✅​
b) Exits shell​
c) Exits the function and sets its return code
d) Repeats function​
e) Restarts loop

Explanation: return exits a function, optionally returning a numeric exit status.

Q69. What is the range of values for return in a shell function?

a) 0–127 ✅ ​
b) 1–10​
c) -1 to 1​
d) 0–255​
e) 0–1

Explanation: Valid return codes range 0–127; codes >128 represent signals.

Q70. What happens if a function ends without an explicit return?

a) Returns 0 ✅​
b) Returns -1​
c) Returns null​
d) Causes error​
e) Infinite loop

Explanation: Default return value is the exit code of the last executed command (commonly 0).

Q71. What is the output of:

function test() {
return 5
}
test
echo $?

✅
a) 0​
b) 5 ​
c) Error​
d) None​
e) True

Explanation: $? captures the return value (5) from the function.

Q72. What will exit 2 do inside a script?

✅​
a) End loop​
b) End script with exit code 2
c) Continue script​
d) Pause for 2 seconds​
e) Return 2 from function

Explanation: exit ends the entire script with specified status.

Q73. What is the difference between exit and return?

a) Both are same​

b) exit exits function, return exits script​
c) exit ends script, return exits function ✅​
d) return restarts script​
e) exit restarts shell

Explanation: exit terminates script; return terminates only the current function.

Q74. What is the exit status of:

false
echo $?
 ✅
a) 0​
b) 1 ​
c) 255​
d) -1​
e) True

Explanation: false returns exit code 1 (failure).

Q75. Which command can you use to verify exit status inline?

a) if command; then ... fi ✅​

b) test command​
c) check command​
d) echo $?​
e) case $? in

Explanation: In if command; then … fi, the condition checks command’s exit status
automatically.

🧠 Shell Scripting – Set 1 (Q1–Q25)

Q1. Which command is used to execute a shell script named
[Link]?

a) bash [Link] ✅​
b) sh$ [Link]​
c) exec myscript​
d) run [Link]​
e) execute myscript​
Explanation: The script can be executed using bash [Link] or sh
[Link].

Q2. What is the default shell in most modern Linux systems?

a) sh​
b) bash ✅​
c) csh​
d) zsh​
e) ksh​
Explanation: Most Linux distributions use Bash (Bourne Again SHell) as the default shell.

Q3. Which symbol is used to denote comments in a shell script?

a) //​
b) --​
c) # ✅​
d) /* */​
e) ##​
Explanation: In shell scripts, # marks a comment, except when used in #! for shebang.

Q4. What does the line #!/bin/bash at the top of a shell script mean?

✅
a) Starts a bash session manually​
b) Specifies bash as the script’s interpreter ​
c) Comments the first line​
d) Imports bash libraries​
e) Creates a variable​
Explanation: The shebang (#!) defines which interpreter executes the script.

Q5. How do you make a shell script executable?

a) chmod +x [Link] ✅​
b) bash [Link]​
c) exec [Link]​
d) run [Link]​
e) source [Link]​
Explanation: The chmod +x command adds execute permission to the script file.

Q6. How do you display the current shell being used?

a) echo $SHELL ✅​
b) print SHELL​
c) show shell​
d) cat /etc/shells​
e) env shell​
Explanation: $SHELL contains the path to the current shell.

Q7. Which of the following correctly prints “Hello World” in bash?

a) cout << "Hello World"​

b) print("Hello World")​
c) echo "Hello World" ✅​
d) printf("Hello World")​
e) display "Hello World"​
Explanation: echo is used to print output to the terminal.

Q8. Which command displays all environment variables?

a) showenv​
b) env ✅​
c) printenv all​
d) ls -e​
e) echo env​
Explanation: The env command lists all environment variables.

Q9. Which symbol is used for command substitution?

a) #()​
b) {}​
c) $() ✅​
d) @()​
e) %()​
Explanation: $(command) executes the command and substitutes its output.
Q10. How do you read user input into a variable name?

a) input name​
b) scanf name​
c) read name ✅​
d) get name​
e) prompt name​
Explanation: The read command reads input from standard input.

Q11. Which of the following correctly assigns a value to a variable?

a) x = 10​
b) x==10​
c) x=10 ✅​
d) $x=10​
e) int x=10​
Explanation: No spaces are allowed around = in shell variable assignment.

Q12. How can you access the value of a variable named city?

a) city​
b) ${city} ✅​
c) print(city)​
d) var(city)​
e) $var city​
Explanation: Variables are referenced with a $ prefix, e.g., $city or ${city}.

Q13. What happens if a variable is used without being initialized?

a) Causes an error​

✅
b) Returns “undefined”​
c) Expands to an empty string ​
d) Expands to NULL​
e) Returns 0​
Explanation: Uninitialized variables expand to an empty string in bash.
Q14. What does $0 represent in a shell script?

✅
a) Number of arguments​
b) Script name ​
c) First argument​
d) Last argument​
e) Script exit code​
Explanation: $0 holds the name of the currently running script.

Q15. Which variable holds the number of arguments passed to a script?

a) $0​
b) $1​
c) $# ✅​
d) $*​
e) $@​
Explanation: $# gives the total count of command-line arguments.

Q16. Which of the following prints all arguments as a single string?

a) $#​
b) $* ✅​
c) $@​
d) ${args}​
e) $()​
Explanation: $* expands to all arguments as one string, unlike $@.

Q17. What is the difference between $* and $@?

a) $* prints variables, $@ prints arguments​

b) $* joins arguments, $@ treats them separately ✅​
c) $* is numeric, $@ is string​
d) Both are identical always​
e) $* includes $0​
Explanation: $* merges all args into one string, $@ keeps them separate.

Q18. Which command removes a variable from the environment?

a) unset var ✅​
b) remove var​
c) delete var​
d) clear var​
e) drop var​
Explanation: The unset command deletes a shell variable or function.

Q19. How do you export a variable so that it is available to subprocesses?

a) global var=10​
b) export var=10 ✅​
c) share var=10​
d) env var=10​
e) sub var=10​
Explanation: The export keyword marks a variable as part of the environment.

Q20. What will be the output of this script?

x=5
y=10
echo $((x+y))

a) x+y​
b) 15 ✅​
c) $x+$y​
d) 5+10​
e) Error​
Explanation: $((expression)) performs arithmetic expansion.
Q21. Which command displays the type of a shell variable or command?

a) check​
b) typeof​
c) type ✅​
d) whatis​
e) info​
Explanation: The type command shows whether a name is a shell keyword, alias, or function.

Q22. What will echo "$x" print if x="Hello World"?

a) Hello​
b) World​
c) Hello World ✅​
d) Hello World​
e) Error​
Explanation: Double quotes preserve whitespace while expanding variables.

Q23. What is the output of this code?

x=10
y=$x+5
echo $y

a) 15​
b) 10+5 ✅​
c) 5​
d) Error​
e) x+5​
Explanation: Without arithmetic expansion $(( )), it performs string concatenation.

Q24. Which command prints both the variable name and its value?

a) env ✅​
b) show​
c) display​
d) echo $var​
e) printenv​
Explanation: env or printenv lists variables and their values.

Q25. Which command displays all currently defined shell variables?

a) listvar​
b) echo $*​
c) set ✅​
d) env​
e) showvars​
Explanation: The set command lists all variables and functions in the shell.

🧩 Shell Scripting – Set 2 (Q26–Q50)

(Moderate → Complex mix)

Q26. How do you declare a variable named count with value 5 in bash?

a) int count = 5​
b) declare int count=5​
c) count=5 ✅​
d) $count=5​
e) var count = 5​
Explanation: Shell variables are created simply by assignment without spaces or type.

Q27. What is the output of this code?

x=3
y=4
echo $((x*y + 2))
 ✅
a) 12​
b) 14 ​
c) 20​
d) xy+2​
e) Error​
Explanation: $((...)) performs arithmetic expansion → 34+2 = 14.

Q28. What is the output of:

a=10
b=20
echo $($a+$b)

a) 30​
b) $a+$b​
c) Error ✅​
d) 1020​
e) Nothing​
Explanation: $($a+$b) tries command substitution using an invalid command name “10+20”,
causing an error.

Q29. Correct syntax for printing the sum of arguments 2 and 3 in a script:

a) echo($2+$3)​
b) echo $(($2+$3)) ✅​
c) echo ($2+$3)​
d) echo $2+$3​
e) echo $($2+$3)​
Explanation: Arithmetic expansion in bash uses $((...)).

Q30. If a script [Link] is executed as ./[Link] 5 7, what will $# return?

a) 5​

✅
b) 7​
c) 2 ​
d) 12​
e) 1​
Explanation: $# gives the number of positional parameters (here, 2 arguments).

Q31. What is printed by the following?

echo "Script name: $0"

a) Name of user​

✅
b) Current shell​
c) Name of script ​
d) Total arguments​
e) Working directory​
Explanation: $0 expands to the name of the current script.

Q32. Output of:

echo "First: $1 Second: $2"

when script is run as ./[Link] A B​

a) First: A Second: B ✅​
b) First: B Second: A​
c) First: $1 Second: $2​
d) First: [Link] Second: A​
e) Error​
Explanation: $1 and $2 hold first and second command-line arguments.

Q33. What is $@ used for?

✅
a) Returns argument count​
b) Returns all arguments as separate strings ​
c) Joins all arguments into one string​
d) Returns script name​
e) Returns last argument​
Explanation: $@ expands to all positional parameters as individual words.
Q34. What happens when no arguments are passed but $1 is used in the
script?

a) Prints 0​

✅
b) Prints “null”​
c) Expands to empty ​
d) Causes error​
e) Prints “undefined”​
Explanation: If no positional argument exists, $1 expands to empty string.

Q35. What is the output?

a=5
b=7
if [ $a -lt $b ]; then
echo "A smaller"
else
echo "B smaller"
fi

a) A smaller ✅​
b) B smaller​
c) Error​
d) A smaller B smaller​
e) None​
Explanation: -lt tests if $a is less than $b.

Q36. Choose valid string comparison in bash:

a) if ($a == $b)​
b) if [ $a = $b ] ✅​
c) if { $a eq $b }​
d) if test $a==$b​
e) if $a=$b​
Explanation: For string comparison, use single = within [ ].
Q37. Which operator checks for file existence?

a) -x​
b) -e ✅​
c) -f​
d) -r​
e) -s​
Explanation: -e filename returns true if the file exists.

Q38. What does this script output if file [Link] exists?

if [ -e [Link] ]; then
echo "Found"
else
echo "Missing"
fi

✅
a) Missing​
b) Found ​
c) [Link]​
d) None​
e) Error​
Explanation: -e tests for file existence.

Q39. Identify the error:

if [ $a -eq 5 ]
echo "Equal"
fi

✅
a) Missing semicolon​
b) Missing then ​
c) Missing brackets​
d) Wrong operator​
e) Wrong syntax for echo​
Explanation: Bash requires then keyword after condition.
Q40. Output of this script:
num=6
if (( num % 2 == 0 )); then
echo "Even"
else
echo "Odd"
fi

✅
a) Odd​
b) Even ​
c) 6​
d) num % 2​
e) Error​
Explanation: Double parentheses (( )) perform arithmetic evaluation.

Q41. How can you test multiple conditions in bash?

a) if [ cond1 ] and [ cond2 ]​

b) if [ cond1 -a cond2 ] ✅​
c) if cond1 && cond2 ✅
✅
​
d) Both b and c ​
e) None​
Explanation: -a (within [ ]) or && (outside) combine conditions logically.

Q42. What will be printed?

x=4
if [ $x -gt 10 ]; then
echo "Large"
elif [ $x -gt 5 ]; then
echo "Medium"
else
echo "Small"
fi
a) Large​

✅
b) Medium​
c) Small ​
d) Error​
e) 4​
Explanation: $x=4 fails both greater-than tests → prints “Small”.

Q43. What does the if statement check in bash?

✅
a) Syntax correctness​
b) Command exit status ​
c) Variable value​
d) File type​
e) Argument count​
Explanation: In bash, if evaluates the exit status of a command (0 = true).

Q44. Output of this snippet:

if echo "Hi"; then
echo "Yes"
fi

a) Hi​
b) Yes​

✅
c) Hi​
Yes ​
d) Error​
e) None​
Explanation: echo always succeeds (exit code 0), so both lines print.

Q45. What will happen?

if grep "root" /etc/passwd; then
echo "User found"
else
echo "Not found"
fi
 ✅
a) Always prints “User found” (on Linux)​
b) Always prints “Not found”​
c) Syntax error​
d) Prints both​
e) None​
Explanation: grep returns 0 if match is found → “User found”.

Q46. Identify correct syntax:

a) if[ $x -eq 1 ];then echo yes;fi​

b) if [ $x -eq 1 ]; then echo yes; fi ✅​
c) if $x==1 then echo yes fi​
d) if ($x -eq 1); then echo yes; fi​
e) if test $x eq 1 then echo yes fi​
Explanation: Proper spacing around [ ] is mandatory.

Q47. Output of:

a=4
b=2
if (( a / b == 2 )); then
echo "ok"
fi

✅
a) Error​
b) ok ​
c) 2​
d) Division not supported​
e) None​
Explanation: Arithmetic expression ((a / b == 2)) evaluates true.

Q48. What is true about [ "$var" = "abc" ]?

 ✅
a) Error if $var is empty ​
b) Always true​
c) Checks equality safely​
d) Always false​
e) Never executes​
Explanation: If $var is empty and unquoted, it breaks test syntax. Quoting prevents that.

Q49. Which of the following executes only if a command fails?

a) cmd && echo success​

b) cmd || echo failed ✅​
c) if cmd then echo fail​
d) !cmd && echo fail​
e) Both b and d​
Explanation: The || operator runs the right command only if the left one fails.

Q50. What will be the output?

x=5
if [ $x -eq 5 ]; then
echo $((x+5))
else
echo $(($x*2))
fi

a) 10 ✅​
b) 25​
c) 5​
d) $x+5​
e) Error​
Explanation: Condition true → prints arithmetic result 5+5=10.

⚙️ Shell Scripting – Set 3 (Q51–Q75)

(Topics: Loops + Return / Exit Status)
Q51. Which of the following is the correct syntax of a for loop in bash?

a) for i in range(1,5)​
b) for i=1 to 5​
c) for i in 1 2 3 4 5; do echo $i; done ✅​
d) for(i=1;i<=5;i++) echo $i​
e) foreach i (1..5)​
Explanation: Bash uses for var in list; do ...; done.

Q52. Output of:

for i in 1 2 3; do
echo -n "$i "
done

a) 1​
2​
3​

✅
b) 123​
c) 1 2 3 ​
d) “i” three times​
e) Error​
Explanation: -n prevents newline, so prints 1 2 3.

Q53. What will this print?

for ((i=1;i<=3;i++))
do
echo $((i*i))
done

✅​
a) 1 2 3​
b) 1 4 9
c) 2 4 6​
d) 3 6 9​
e) Error​
Explanation: C-style loop syntax works in bash arithmetic context.

Q54. Which loop executes as long as the condition is true?

a) for​

✅
b) until​
c) while ​
d) foreach​
e) repeat​
Explanation: while runs while condition evaluates true (exit code 0).

Q55. Identify valid syntax for a while loop:

a) while [ $x -lt 5 ]; do echo $x; done ✅​

b) while ($x < 5) { echo $x; }​
c) while $x < 5 then echo $x done​
d) while test $x<5 do echo $x done​
e) while do echo done​
Explanation: Bash uses [ condition ]; do …; done.

Q56. What is output?

x=1
while [ $x -le 3 ]
do
echo $x
x=$((x+1))
done

✅
a) 123​
b) 1 2 3 ​
c) Infinite loop​
d) 4 5 6​
e) Error​
Explanation: Increments till 3 → prints 1 2 3.
Q57. Which loop executes as long as condition is false?

✅
a) for​
b) until ​
c) while​
d) loop​
e) repeat​
Explanation: until continues until condition becomes true.

Q58. What is the output?

n=1
until [ $n -gt 3 ]
do
echo $n
n=$((n+1))
done

✅
a) 1 2​
b) 1 2 3 ​
c) None​
d) Infinite loop​
e) Error​
Explanation: until stops when $n > 3`.

Q59. What is output of:

for i in 1 2 3 4 5
do
if [ $i -eq 3 ]; then
break
fi
echo -n "$i "
done
a) 1 2 ✅ ​
b) 1 2 3 4 5​
c) 3 4 5​
d) Infinite​
e) Error​
Explanation: Loop breaks when i = 3.

Q60. What is output of:

for i in 1 2 3 4 5
do
if [ $i -eq 3 ]; then
continue
fi
echo -n "$i "
done

✅
a) 1 2 3 4 5​
b) 1 2 4 5 ​
c) 3 4 5​
d) 1 2​
e) None​
Explanation: continue skips iteration 3.

Q61. What will happen?

for file in $(ls *.txt)
do
echo "$file"
done

✅
a) Lists all files in directory​
b) Lists only .txt files ​
c) Syntax error​
d) Lists all hidden files​
e) Prints nothing​
Explanation: Command substitution $(ls *.txt) iterates over .txt files.
Q62. Output:
sum=0
for i in {1..3}
do
((sum+=i))
done
echo $sum

✅
a) 3​
b) 6 ​
c) 5​
d) 1 2 3​
e) Error​
Explanation: Sum = 1 + 2 + 3 = 6.

Q63. Identify correct loop that reads lines from a file:

a) for line in [Link]​

b) while read line; do echo $line; done < [Link] ✅​
c) while $line in [Link]​
d) loop read [Link]​
e) cat [Link] | while read line do echo done​
Explanation: Redirection < file feeds input to read.

Q64. What happens when read reaches EOF?

✅
a) It repeats last line​
b) It exits loop ​
c) Returns 1 and continues​
d) Throws error​
e) Resets variable​
Explanation: read returns non-zero on EOF → loop ends.
Q65. What is printed?
for i in {1..3}
do
for j in {1..2}
do
echo "$i,$j"
done
done

✅
a) 1,1 1,2 2,1 2,2 3,1 3,2 ​
b) 1,1 2,1 3,1 1,2 2,2 3,2​
c) Only 3,2​
d) Syntax error​
e) Infinite​
Explanation: Nested for loop produces 3 × 2 = 6 pairs.

Q66. What will be the exit status after executing ls /etc > /dev/null
successfully?

a) 0 ✅ ​
b) 1​
c) 127​
d) 255​
e) Depends​
Explanation: Exit code 0 → command succeeded.

Q67. Which variable stores the exit code of the last executed command?

a) $#​
b) $@​
c) $? ✅​
d) $!​
e) $:​
Explanation: $? holds last command’s exit status.
Q68. What will $? contain after this?
grep "admin" /etc/passwd

(Assume “admin” not found)​

✅
a) 0​
b) 1 ​
c) 2​
d) 127​
e) 255​
Explanation: grep returns 1 if no match found.

Q69. What is the output?

false
echo $?

✅
a) 0​
b) 1 ​
c) 2​
d) 255​
e) None​
Explanation: false always returns exit code 1.

Q70. Output of:

true
echo $?

a) 0✅ ​
b) 1​
c) true​
d) false​
e) None​
Explanation: true always returns exit code 0.
Q71. Which command explicitly exits a shell script with code 5?

a) stop 5​
b) return 5​
c) exit 5 ✅​
d) break 5​
e) end 5​
Explanation: exit <code> terminates script with given status.

Q72. What is the difference between exit and return in bash?

✅​
a) No difference​
b) exit ends script, return ends function
c) exit ends loop, return repeats​
d) exit resets variables​
e) return is invalid in bash​
Explanation: return only valid inside functions; exit ends entire script.

Q73. Output of:

myfun() { return 3; }
myfun
echo $?

✅
a) 0​
b) 3 ​
c) 1​
d) 255​
e) Error​
Explanation: $? captures return status 3 from function.

Q74. What will be printed?

cmd() { ls /fakepath; echo "done"; }
cmd
echo $?
 ✅
a) 0​

✅
b) 1 ​
c) “done” then 1 ​
d) “done” then 0​
e) Error​
Explanation: ls fails → exit code 1; function continues but $? = 1.

Q75. Which of the following commands will execute a script and pass its
exit status to the shell?

a) . [Link] ✅​
b) bash < [Link]​
c) source [Link] ✅​
d) run [Link]​
e) both a and c ✅​
Explanation: Both . and source run scripts in current shell, preserving exit status.

Shell Scripting Basics

Q1. What is the default shell in most modern Linux distributions?​

a) /bin/csh​
b) /bin/sh​
c) /bin/bash ✅​
d) /bin/zsh​
e) /usr/bin/ksh​
Explanation: Bash (Bourne Again Shell) is the default shell in most Linux systems.

Q2. Which command is used to execute a shell script named [Link]?​

a) execute [Link]​
b) bash [Link] ✅​
c) run [Link]​
d) launch [Link]​
e) open [Link]​
Explanation: bash [Link] or ./[Link] executes the script.
Q3. Which line is known as the shebang in a shell script?​
a) //bin/bash​
b) #!bin/bash​
c) #!/bin/bash ✅​
d) ##/bin/bash​
e) $!/bin/bash​
Explanation: The shebang (#!) specifies the interpreter to run the script.

✅
Q4. Which command gives execution permission to a shell script?​
a) chmod +x [Link] ​
b) execute [Link]​
c) bash +x [Link]​
d) permit [Link]​
e) run +x [Link]​
Explanation: chmod +x makes a script executable.

Q5. What will this command print:

echo "Shell scripting is fun"

a) Nothing​
b) Shell scripting​
c) Shell scripting is fun ✅​
d) Error​
e) fun​
Explanation: echo simply outputs the given text.

Q6. Which of the following comments a line in bash?​

a) //​
b) --​
c) # ✅​
d) ;​
e) /* */​
Explanation: Lines beginning with # are comments in shell scripts.

Q7. What will echo $0 display when running a shell script?​

a) Last argument passed​

✅
b) Number of arguments​
c) Name of the shell or script ​
d) Exit status​
e) PID of script​
Explanation: $0 stores the name of the script.

✅
Q8. Which command prints the current working directory?​
a) pwd ​
b) dir​
c) cd​
d) ls​
e) path​
Explanation: pwd (print working directory) displays the current directory.

Q9. What is the correct way to run a script in the current directory?​
a) bash [Link]​
b) ./[Link] ✅​
c) /[Link]​
d) run [Link]​
e) source ./[Link]​
Explanation: ./[Link] executes it using relative path.

✅
Q10. Which of the following commands lists all environment variables?​
a) set ​
b) ls -e​
c) show env​
d) printenv​
e) export​
Explanation: set or printenv can display environment variables.
Q11. What does this command output?

echo $(date)

✅
a) Nothing​
b) Prints current date ​
c) Error​
d) Prints $(date)​
e) Prints only year​
Explanation: Command substitution executes date and echoes its output.

Q12. Which file contains user-specific shell settings?​

a) /etc/bashrc​
b) ~/.bashrc ✅​
c) /etc/profile​
d) ~/.bash_profile​
e) /usr/bin/env​
Explanation: ~/.bashrc holds user-level configurations.

Q13. What will happen if you miss the shebang line?​

✅
a) Script won’t execute​
b) Script executes using default shell ​
c) System crash​
d) Syntax error​
e) Infinite loop​
Explanation: Without shebang, system uses the default shell to interpret.

Q14. Identify the correct statement:​

a) Shell script files must end with .bash​

✅
b) Shell scripts must be compiled before running​
c) Shell scripts are interpreted ​
d) Shell scripts are binary files​
e) Shell scripts cannot take arguments​
Explanation: Bash scripts are interpreted line by line.
Q15. What is the output of:

echo "Hello $USER"

✅
a) Prints literal text “Hello $USER”​
b) Prints “Hello root” or current user ​
c) Error​
d) Prints username only​
e) None​
Explanation: $USER expands to the logged-in username.

Q16. How do you correctly declare a variable in bash?​

a) x = 10​
b) $x = 10​
c) x=10 ✅​
d) int x=10​
e) declare(x=10)​
Explanation: Bash does not allow spaces around = when assigning values.

Q17. What is the output of the following?

x=10
echo $x

a) x=10​
b) $x​
c) 10 ✅ ​
d) Error​
e) Null​
Explanation: $x expands to the variable’s value.

Q18. What is the output of:

a=5
b=10
echo $(($a+$b))
a) $a+$b​
b) 5+10​
c) 15 ✅​
d) a+b​
e) Error​
Explanation: $((...)) performs arithmetic evaluation.

✅
Q19. Which command lists all environment variables?​
a) env ​
b) echo $env​
c) printvars​
d) set -a​
e) ls -e​
Explanation: env displays exported environment variables.

Q20. What will happen if you execute:

x=10
y=$x+2
echo $y

a) 12​
b) 10+2 ✅​
c) 2​
d) Error​
e) Null​
Explanation: Without $(( )), bash treats + as a string, not arithmetic.

Q21. Which of the following converts a local variable to environment variable?​

a) declare x​
b) set x​
c) export x ✅​
d) env x​
e) public x​
Explanation: export makes a variable accessible to child processes.
Q22. What will this print?

x=2
y=3
echo $(($2+$3))

a) 5​
b) 2+3​
c) Error ✅​
d) 0​
e) $2+$3​
Explanation: $2 and $3 refer to positional arguments, not variables x and y. Undefined →
empty → arithmetic error.

Q23. What is the output of:

num1=8
num2=4
result=$((num1/num2))
echo $result

a) 2 ✅​
b) 2.0​
c) 0​
d) Error​
e) num1/num2​
Explanation: Bash integer division returns integer value 2.

Q24. How can you remove a variable in shell?​

a) delete var​
b) unset var ✅​
c) remove var​
d) clear var​
e) set -r var​
Explanation: unset deletes a variable from the shell environment.

Q25. What is the output of:

name="Harsh"
echo "Hello $name"

a) $name​
b) Hello Harsh ✅​
c) Hello $name​
d) Harsh​
e) None​
Explanation: $name expands to its stored value.

Q26. What is the result of:

x=3
y=2
z=$((x**y))
echo $z

a) 9 ✅​
b) 6​
c) 8​
d) Error​
e) x**y​
Explanation: ** is the exponentiation operator in bash arithmetic.

Q27. Which command prints all defined shell variables (local + environment)?​
a) env​
b) set ✅​
c) export​
d) declare -x​
e) vars​
Explanation: set lists both shell and environment variables.

Q28. What is the output?

var=123
var=456
echo $var

a) 123​
b) 456 ✅​
c) 123456​
d) Error​
e) Null​
Explanation: Latest assignment overwrites the previous value.

✅
Q29. Which statement is true about variable scope?​
a) All variables are global by default ​
b) All variables are local by default​
c) Only constants are global​
d) Variables need explicit global keyword​
e) Variables cannot be made global​
Explanation: In bash, variables are global unless defined with local in a function.

Q30. What is the output of:

name="IFSCA"
echo '${name}'

a) IFSCA​
b) ${name} ✅​
c) $name​
d) Error​
e) None​
Explanation: Single quotes prevent variable expansion; $ treated literally.
Q31. What does $1 represent in a shell script?​
a) Number of arguments passed​

✅
b) Name of the script​
c) First argument ​
d) Last argument​
e) Exit status​
Explanation: $1 stores the first argument passed to the script.

Q32. What does $# represent?​

✅
a) Sum of all arguments​
b) Count of arguments ​
c) Name of the shell​
d) Exit code​
e) Total bytes​
Explanation: $# gives the number of arguments passed.

Q33. What does $0 contain?​

✅
a) Last argument​
b) Script name ​
c) Path of current directory​
d) Total arguments​
e) None​
Explanation: $0 stores the script name or path used to execute it.

Q34. What will this script print when executed as ./[Link] 2 3?

echo $(($1+$2))

a) 5 ✅​
b) $1+$2​
c) 23​
d) 2+3​
e) Error​
Explanation: $1 = 2, $2 = 3 → arithmetic evaluation gives 5.
Q35. What is the output of:

echo $*

when the script is run as ./[Link] A B C?​

a) A​
b) B C​
c) A B C ✅​
d) $*​
e) Error​
Explanation: $* expands to all arguments as a single word.

Q36. What is the output of:

echo "$@"

when run as ./[Link] A B C?​

a) A B C ✅​
b) A​
c) A, B, C​
d) $@​
e) Error​
Explanation: $@ expands each argument as a separate word.

Q37. What will this script print?

echo "$# arguments were passed"

if run as ./[Link] one two three​

a) 3 arguments were passed ✅​
b) 2 arguments were passed​
c) 0 arguments were passed​
d) one two three arguments were passed​
e) Error​
Explanation: $# = 3 → total arguments.
Q38. What happens if you reference $3 when only one argument was passed?​
a) Error​
b) Prints $3​
c) Prints blank ✅
​
d) Prints 0​
e) Prints NULL​
Explanation: Undefined positional parameters expand to empty string.

Q39. What does the shift command do in bash?​

✅
a) Resets variables​
b) Removes first argument ​
c) Clears all arguments​
d) Copies arguments​
e) Reverses arguments​
Explanation: shift discards $1 and shifts others down.

Q40. What will this script output?

echo $1
shift
echo $1

when run as ./[Link] A B C​

a) A B ✅​
b) B C​
c) A A​
d) A​
e) B​
Explanation: After shift, $2 becomes $1, so prints A then B.

Q41. What is printed by:

echo "$@"
shift 2
echo "$@"

if run as ./[Link] one two three four​

a) one two three four → three four ✅​
b) one two → three four​
c) Error​
d) three four → one two​
e) None​
Explanation: shift 2 discards first two arguments.

Q42. What is the output of:

for arg in "$@"; do echo $arg; done

when run as ./[Link] red blue green​

a) red blue green​
b) red, blue, green printed separately ✅​
c) $@​
d) Error​
e) None​
Explanation: Iterates through all arguments.

✅
Q43. How do you handle optional arguments with defaults in bash?​
a) Use if condition on $# ​
b) Declare argument type​
c) Use read​
d) Use input()​
e) You can’t​
Explanation: You can check if $# < expected count and assign default.

Q44. What will this print?

echo "The last argument is ${!#}"

when run as ./[Link] 10 20 30​
a) ${!#}​
b) 3​
c) 30 ✅​
d) Error​
e) $#​
Explanation: ${!#} expands to the last positional argument.

Q45. What is the output of:

echo "$@"
set "A" "B" "C"
echo "$#"

a) 0​
b) 3 ✅​
c) 1​
d) Error​
e) $@​
Explanation: set redefines positional parameters; $# = 3.

✅ Covered concepts: $0, $1, $#, $*, $@, shift, ${!#}, argument defaults.
Q46. What is the correct syntax of an if statement in bash?​
a) if (condition) then ... fi​
b) if [ condition ] then ... fi ✅​
c) if { condition } fi​
d) if (condition) fi​
e) if condition; end​
Explanation: The correct structure is if [ condition ]; then ... fi.

Q47. Which command checks if a file named [Link] exists?​

a) if [ -d [Link] ]​
b) if [ -f [Link] ]​
c) if [ -e [Link] ] ✅​
d) if [ -x [Link] ]​
e) if [ [Link] ]​
Explanation: -e returns true if the file exists.

Q48. What is the output of:

a=5
if [ $a -eq 5 ]
then
echo "Equal"
else
echo "Not Equal"
fi

a) Error​
b) Equal ✅​
c) Not Equal​
d) $a=5​
e) None​
Explanation: -eq compares integers for equality.

Q49. Which operator checks if two strings are equal?​

a) -eq​
b) = ✅​
c) ==​
d) -s​
e) -str​
Explanation: String comparison uses = inside [ ].

Q50. What is the output?

x="IFSCA"
if [ "$x" == "IFSCA" ]; then echo "Match"; else echo "No"; fi
a) IFSCA​
b) Match ✅​
c) No​
d) Error​
e) $x​
Explanation: Strings match, condition true.

Q51. What happens if spaces are missing in [ $x==5 ]?​

a) Error ✅ ​
b) Works fine​
c) Prints blank​
d) Ignores​
e) Prints $x==5​
Explanation: [ ] must have spaces before and after condition tokens.

Q52. What does this test return true for?

if [ -d /home/user ]

a) Regular file​

✅
b) Empty file​
c) Directory ​
d) Executable file​
e) Hidden file​
Explanation: -d tests if the path is a directory.

Q53. Which condition checks if variable $num is greater than 10?​

a) [ $num > 10 ]​
b) [ $num -gt 10 ] ✅​
c) [ $num >= 10 ]​
d) [ $num -ge 10 ]​
e) [ $num gtr 10 ]​
Explanation: -gt is used for numeric greater than comparison.
Q54. What is the output?

x=4
if [ $x -lt 10 -a $x -gt 2 ]; then echo "True"; fi

a) False​
b) True ✅​
c) Error​
d) None​
e) 0​
Explanation: -a = logical AND; both conditions true.

Q55. How to represent OR condition in bash if?​

a) || ✅​
b) |​
c) or​
d) /​
e) -o​
Explanation: In [[ ]], || performs logical OR.

Q56. What will this print?

str="IFSCA"
if [ -n "$str" ]; then echo "Not Empty"; else echo "Empty"; fi

a) Empty​
b) Not Empty ✅​
c) IFSCA​
d) Error​
e) None​
Explanation: -n checks if string length > 0.

Q57. Which condition checks if a file [Link] is executable?​

a) [ -e [Link] ]​
b) [ -f [Link] ]​
c) [ -x [Link] ] ✅​
d) [ -r [Link] ]​
e) [ -s [Link] ]​
Explanation: -x checks for execute permission.

Q58. What is the output of:

num=8
if (( num % 2 == 0 )); then echo "Even"; fi

a) Error​
b) 8​
c) Even ✅​
d) False​
e) None​
Explanation: Double parentheses (( )) allow arithmetic comparisons.

Q59. What will happen if fi is missing in a bash script?​

✅
a) Nothing​
b) Syntax error ​
c) Condition skips​
d) Prints 0​
e) Default fi assumed​
Explanation: Every if must end with fi.

Q60. What is the output?

x=5
if [ $x -eq 5 ]; then
echo "A"
elif [ $x -eq 10 ]; then
echo "B"
else
echo "C"
fi

a) B​
b) C​
c) A ✅​
d) 5​
e) None​
Explanation: First condition true → prints “A”.

✅ Covered concepts: syntax, [ ] vs [[ ]], numeric and string operators, logical AND/OR,
file tests, nesting, and edge cases.

Q26. What will be the output of the following script?

#!/bin/bash
a=10
b=20
echo $((a==b))

a) 0 ✅
​
b) 1​
c) 10​
d) 20​
e) Syntax error

Explanation: The expression returns 1 if true and 0 if false. Since 10 != 20, result is 0.

Q27. What is the output of the following?

#!/bin/bash
echo $(($2 + $3))

Command executed: ./[Link] 3 7 2​

✅
a) 9​
b) 5 ​
c) 7​
d) 10​
e) Error
Explanation: $2=7, $3=2 → 7+2=9, but here $($2 + $3) is evaluated as $7 + $3 which
are empty variables, so error → fixed form should be $(( $2 + $3 )).

Q28. How do you make a variable available to child processes?

a) Use read var​

b) Use local var​
c) Use export var ✅​
d) Use declare var​
e) Use source var

Explanation: The export command marks a variable for export to child processes.

Q29. Which of the following is the correct syntax to read a value from user
input in a shell script?

a) input = read​
b) read input ✅​
c) read = input​
d) get input​
e) scanf input

Q30. What will be the output of the following script?

#!/bin/bash
x=5
y=10
if [ $x -eq 5 -a $y -eq 10 ]; then
echo "True"
else
echo "False"
fi

✅​
a) Error​
b) True
c) False​
d) 5 10​
e) None

Q31. Which of the following statements correctly checks if a file exists and
is readable?

a) [ -r $file ] ✅​
b) [ -x $file ]​
c) [ -f $file ]​
d) [ $file -eq 0 ]​
e) [ read $file ]

Q32. What will happen if you execute this command?

echo $((5/0))

a) 0​

✅​
b) Infinity​
c) Division by zero error
d) Nothing​
e) 5

Explanation: Division by zero is not allowed — bash prints an error.

Q33. What is the default exit status of a successfully executed command?

a) 1​
b) -1​

✅
c) 255​
d) 0 ​
e) None

Q34. What is the output of the following script?

#!/bin/bash
for i in {3..7}
do
echo -n "$i "
done

a) 3 4 5 6 7✅ ​
b) 1 2 3 4 5​
c) 7 6 5 4 3​
d) 3..7​
e) Error

Q35. What is the correct syntax for an infinite loop in bash?

a) while (true)​
b) while true; do ... done ✅​
c) loop forever​
d) for(;;)​
e) repeat do done

Q36. What is the effect of the shift command in a shell script?

✅
a) Shifts positional parameters to the right​
b) Shifts positional parameters to the left ​
c) Deletes $1 only​
d) Resets all arguments​
e) None

Explanation: Each call to shift discards $1 and moves $2 → $1, $3 → $2, etc.

Q37. What will the following script print?

#!/bin/bash
a=3
b=7
if ((a<b)); then
echo $((b-a))
fi

a) 4 ✅​
b) 10​
c) 3​
d) 7​
e) None

Q38. Which of the following symbols is used for command substitution?

a) #​
b) $() ✅​
c) @()​
d) []​
e) {}

Q39. What will be printed?

#!/bin/bash
x=8
y=3
echo $((x%y))

a) 1 ✅​
b) 2​
c) 0​
d) 8​
e) Error

Q40. Which of the following is used to check if a string is empty?

a) [ -e $str ]​
b) [ -n $str ]​
c) [ -z $str ] ✅​
d) [ $str == 0 ]​
e) None
Q41. What will the output be?
#!/bin/bash
a=10
b=5
if [ $a -gt 5 ] && [ $b -lt 10 ]; then
echo "Condition met"
else
echo "Condition failed"
fi

✅
a) Condition failed​
b) Condition met ​
c) Error​
d) None​
e) 10 5

Q42. What happens if you forget fi in an if statement?

✅
a) Script runs normally​
b) Syntax error ​
c) It ignores condition​
d) fi is optional​
e) None

Q43. What will be printed?

#!/bin/bash
count=0
while [ $count -lt 3 ]
do
echo $count
((count++))
done
 ✅
a) 1 2 3​
b) 0 1 2 ​
c) 0 1 2 3​
d) 1 2​
e) Error

Q44. What is the meaning of $# in a shell script?

✅
a) Number of background processes​
b) Number of arguments passed ​
c) Process ID of shell​
d) The exit code​
e) None

Q45. What is the difference between $* and $@?

a) No difference​
b) $* preserves spaces; $@ doesn’t​
c) $@ treats each argument separately ✅​
d) $* gives total count​
e) Both expand only first argument

Q46. What is the output of the following code?

#!/bin/bash
for i in 1 2 3; do
echo -n "$i "
done

a) 1 2 3 ✅​
b) 123​
c) 1\n2\n3​
d) Error​
e) None

Q47. What is the output of this script?

#!/bin/bash
for i in {1..5..2}
do
echo -n "$i "
done

a) 1 2 3 4 5​
b) 1 3 5 ✅​
c) 2 4​
d) Error​
e) None

Explanation: The {1..5..2} syntax increments by 2.

Q48. What happens when this script executes?

#!/bin/bash
for file in *.txt
do
echo $file
done

a) Lists only .txt files ✅​

b) Deletes .txt files​
c) Renames files​
d) Opens .txt files​
e) Error

Q49. What is the output?

#!/bin/bash
x=5
y=10
if (( x+y > 12 )); then
echo "Yes"
else
echo "No"
fi

a) Yes ✅ ​
b) No​
c) 15​
d) Error​
e) None

Q50. What is the return value of a successful command in shell scripting?

a) 0 ✅ ​
b) 1​
c) 255​
d) -1​
e) None

Q51. What is the output of the following?

#!/bin/bash
grep "root" /etc/passwd >/dev/null
echo $?

a) Prints 0 if “root” found ✅​

b) Always prints 1​
c) Prints username​
d) Prints nothing​
e) Error

Q52. What does exit 5 mean inside a shell script?

a) Terminates script and returns 5 as exit code ✅​

b) Prints 5​
c) Ignores exit​
d) Terminates but no return​
e) Returns true
Q53. What will happen in this script?
#!/bin/bash
function sum() {
return $(($1+$2))
}
sum 5 10
echo $?

✅
a) 15​
b) 255 ​
c) 0​
d) 10​
e) Error

Explanation: Bash return can only return 0–255. Here 15 is valid, but $? returns it as an exit
code.

Q54. What is the correct way to capture the output of a command in a

variable?

a) var = cmd​
b) var=$(cmd) ✅​
c) var=cmd​
d) $var=cmd​
e) var => cmd

Q55. Which loop syntax is valid in bash?

a) for ((i=0; i<5; i++)) ✅​

b) for (i=0; i<5; i++)​
c) loop(i<5)​
d) do for i​
e) None

Q56. What will this print?

#!/bin/bash
for ((i=2; i<=6; i+=2))
do
echo -n "$i "
done

a) 2 4 6 ✅​
b) 2 3 4 5 6​
c) 2 4​
d) 6 4 2​
e) None

Q57. What is printed by this script?

#!/bin/bash
for i in $(seq 3)
do
echo -n "$i "
done

a) 0 1 2​
b) 1 2 3 ✅​
c) seq 3​
d) Error​
e) None

Q58. What does this script output?

#!/bin/bash
for word in $(echo "IFSCA Exam IT Stream")
do
echo $word
done

✅​
a) Prints the full line​
b) Prints each word on a new line
c) Error​
d) Prints only “IFSCA”​
e) None

Q59. What is the effect of break inside a loop?

✅​
a) Skips next iteration​
b) Stops loop execution
c) Jumps to top​
d) Restarts loop​
e) None

Q60. What does continue do in a loop?

✅​
a) Exits loop​
b) Skips current iteration
c) Ends script​
d) Restarts program​
e) None

Q61. What will be the output?

#!/bin/bash
i=1
while [ $i -le 3 ]
do
echo $i
((i++))
done

a) 1 2 3 ✅ ​
b) 0 1 2​
c) 1 2 3 4​
d) Infinite loop​
e) None
Q62. What happens here?
#!/bin/bash
n=3
until [ $n -eq 0 ]
do
echo $n
((n--))
done

a) 3 2 1 ✅ ​
b) Infinite loop​
c) 0 1 2​
d) None​
e) Error

Q63. Which operator performs integer comparison for equality in bash?

a) ==​
b) -eq ✅​
c) =​
d) is​
e) equals

Q64. What is the correct way to check if a directory exists?

a) [ -d /path/to/dir ] ✅​
b) [ -f /path/to/dir ]​
c) [ dir /path ]​
d) [ -e file ]​
e) [ -x path ]

Q65. What is the output?

#!/bin/bash
arr=(10 20 30)
echo ${arr[1]}

✅
a) 10​
b) 20 ​
c) 30​
d) 0​
e) Error

Q66. What does $? represent?

✅​
a) The PID​
b) The exit status of the last command
c) Total number of arguments​
d) Shell version​
e) None

Q67. What does set -e do in a shell script?

✅​
a) Ignores errors​
b) Exits immediately if a command fails
c) Enables echoing​
d) Prints environment​
e) None

Q68. What will this print?

#!/bin/bash
var=10
((var+=5))
echo $var

a) 5​

✅
b) 10​
c) 15 ​
d) 20​
e) Error
Q69. What will the output of this script be?
#!/bin/bash
num=7
if [ $((num % 2)) -eq 0 ]; then
echo "Even"
else
echo "Odd"
fi

✅
a) Even​
b) Odd ​
c) Error​
d) None​
e) 7

Q70. What is printed?

#!/bin/bash
x=3
y=2
echo $(($x**$y))

✅
a) 6​
b) 9 ​
c) 8​
d) Error​
e) None

Q71. What will the following command output?

echo $(echo 2+3 | bc)

a) 2+3​
b) 5 ✅​
c) bc​
d) Error​
e) None

Explanation: bc evaluates arithmetic expressions, so 2+3 → 5.

Q72. What will be the output?

echo $($2+$3)

Command: ./[Link] 4 5 6​
a) 11​
b) Error ✅​
c) 9​
d) 56​
e) None

Explanation: $($2+$3) tries to execute the command 5+6, which is invalid.​

Correct syntax: $(( $2 + $3 )).

Q73. Which of the following correctly prints the number of arguments

passed to a script?

a) echo $# ✅​
b) echo $@​
c) echo $*​
d) echo $$​
e) echo $?

Q74. What will be the output?

#!/bin/bash
echo "Arguments: $*"
echo "Count: $#"
Command: ./[Link] A B "C D"​

✅
a) Arguments: A B C D | Count: 4​
b) Arguments: A B C D | Count: 3 ​
c) Arguments: A B | Count: 2​
d) Error​
e) None

Explanation: Quoted string "C D" counts as one argument.

Q75. What is the output of this line?

echo "File count: $(ls | wc -l)"

✅​
a) Prints names of files​
b) Prints total number of files
c) Prints all file sizes​
d) Syntax error​
e) None

Q76. What does this command print?

echo "Total: $(expr 3 + 4)"

a) Total: 7 ✅​
b) Total: expr 3 + 4​
c) Error​
d) Total:​
e) None

Q77. What is the output?

#!/bin/bash
a=4
b=2
echo "$((a*b + a/b))"
a) 10✅ ​
b) 8​
c) 6​
d) Error​
e) 2

Q78. What does the following command do?

grep -c "bash" /etc/passwd

✅​
a) Prints lines containing bash​
b) Counts lines containing “bash”
c) Deletes lines containing “bash”​
d) Replaces “bash”​
e) None

Q79. What is the function of this command?

cut -d ':' -f1 /etc/passwd

a) Shows first field (usernames) ✅​

b) Shows all lines​
c) Deletes first field​
d) Replaces : with ,​
e) None

Q80. What will this command print?

awk -F: '{print $1,$3}' /etc/passwd | head -n 2

✅​
a) Prints all fields​
b) Prints username and UID of first two users
c) Prints only usernames​
d) Error​
e) None
Q81. What does this script output?
#!/bin/bash
x=$(grep root /etc/passwd | wc -l)
echo $x

a) Number of “root” lines ✅​

b) Prints “root”​
c) Error​
d) 0 always​
e) None

Q82. What is the output?

echo $(pwd)

a) Prints current directory ✅​

b) Prints shell name​
c) Prints home directory​
d) Error​
e) None

Q83. What will find /home -name "*.sh" do?

a) Delete .sh files​

b) List .sh files ✅​
c) Run .sh files​
d) Count .sh files​
e) None

Q84. What happens with this script?

#!/bin/bash
if [ -f "$1" ]; then
echo "File exists"
else
echo "Not found"
fi

Command: ./[Link] [Link]​

✅​
a) Always prints “File exists”​
b) Prints “File exists” if [Link] present
c) Prints “Not found” always​
d) Error​
e) None

Q85. What does basename /home/user/[Link] output?

a) /home/user​
b) [Link] ✅​
c) /home​
d) None​
e) user

Q86. What is printed?

#!/bin/bash
x=$(date +%Y)
echo "Year: $x"

✅​
a) Current date​
b) Current year
c) 2025 only​
d) Error​
e) None

Q87. What happens here?

#!/bin/bash
read -p "Enter name: " name
echo "Welcome, $name!"
a) Takes input and prints greeting ✅​
b) Error​
c) Reads file​
d) No input​
e) None

Q88. What is the output?

#!/bin/bash
for i in $(ls *.sh); do
echo "Script: $i"
done

a) Prints .sh filenames ✅​

b) Runs each .sh file​
c) Deletes .sh files​
d) Error​
e) None

Q89. What happens if you run this?

#!/bin/bash
echo $(($1 * $2))

Command: ./[Link] 3 5​

✅
a) 8​
b) 15 ​
c) 35​
d) Error​
e) None

Q90. What does $0 represent?

✅
a) Last argument​
b) Script name ​
c) First argument​
d) Exit code​
e) None

Q91. Which command replaces “foo” with “bar” in [Link]?

a) awk '{gsub("foo","bar")}' [Link] ✅​

b) grep foo bar [Link]​
c) find foo bar​
d) ls foo bar​
e) None

Q92. What does this line print?

echo $(echo $(echo Hello))

a) Hello✅ ​
b) echo Hello​
c) Error​
d) None​
e) Hello Hello

Q93. What does this script print?

#!/bin/bash
n=1
while [ $n -le 3 ]; do
echo "Loop $n"
((n++))
done

a) Loop 1 Loop 2 Loop 3 ✅​

b) Infinite loop​
c) 1 2 3​
d) Error​
e) None
Q94. What happens here?
#!/bin/bash
for ((i=1; i<=3; i++))
do
[ $i -eq 2 ] && continue
echo $i
done

✅
a) 1 2 3​
b) 1 3 ​
c) 2 3​
d) 1 2​
e) None

Q95. What will the output be?

#!/bin/bash
arr=(A B C)
for i in "${arr[@]}"; do
echo -n "$i "
done

a) A B C ✅​
b) ABC​
c) Array​
d) None​
e) Error

Q96. What does $(whoami) print?

✅​
a) Shell name​
b) Current logged-in user
c) Root​
d) Hostname​
e) None
Q97. Which of the following prints last 5 lines of a file?

a) head -n 5 file​
b) tail -n 5 file ✅​
c) grep 5 file​
d) awk -n5 file​
e) None

Q98. What will this output?

#!/bin/bash
x="IFSCA"
y="Exam"
echo "${x}_${y}"

✅​
a) IFSCAExam​
b) IFSCA_Exam
c) _Exam​
d) Error​
e) None

Q99. Which command shows total number of users in the system?

a) cat /etc/passwd | wc -l ✅​
b) ls /home | wc​
c) who​
d) id​
e) grep users

Q100. What will this print?

#!/bin/bash
x=10
y=20
echo "$(($x<$y?1:0))"
 ✅
a) 0​
b) 1 ​
c) 10​
d) 20​
e) Error