Which selection keeps track of a fragmented file in a FAT (not exFAT) file system?

In a FAT (File Allocation Table) file system, the File Allocation Table itself is the critical component that keeps track of all files on the volume, including those that are fragmented. It maintains a mapping of file clusters; each entry in the table corresponds to a cluster on the disk, indicating whether it is free, in use, or part of a fragmented file. When a file is fragmented, the table will have entries that point to non-contiguous clusters, allowing the operating system to locate and reassemble the fragments into a complete file during access.

The other components mentioned have different roles. The directory structure serves to organize files and directories, but it does not track file fragmentation. The volume boot record contains information necessary for booting the operating system and details about the file system itself but does not manage file allocation directly. The master file table is specific to NTFS, not FAT, and it performs a different function related to file management in that filesystem type.