CompTIA Linux+ XK0-006 (V8) Practice Question

The correct answer is that the command starts a new login shell for the root user, changing the directory and environment. The sudo -i (or --login) option simulates an initial login for the target user (root by default). This means it starts a login shell, which cleanses the environment of most variables from the previous user and executes the target user's login scripts (e.g., .profile, .bash_profile). As part of this process, the current working directory is changed to the target user's home directory, which is /root for the root user.

Running a root shell while remaining in the current directory and preserving the environment is more characteristic of the sudo -s command. Executing only a single command with elevated privileges is the default behavior of sudo when followed by a command (e.g., sudo apt update). The sudo -i command uses the current user's password for authentication, not the root user's password, which is a key feature of sudo itself.