CompTIA A+ 220-1101 (Core 1) Sample Questions
Advanced Sample Questions
What should be done if a user reports that their computer is slow and unresponsive?
- A) Upgrade the computer’s RAM
- B) Replace the computer’s hard drive
- C) Reinstall the operating system
- D) Install additional antivirus software
Answer: A) Upgrade the computer’s RAM.
Explanation: If a computer is running slow and unresponsive, it may not have enough memory (RAM) to handle all the programs and processes it’s running. Upgrading the RAM can help to improve the computer’s performance.
What is the most common cause of a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death)?
- A) Power Surge
- B) Virus infection
- C) Outdated drivers
- D) Corrupted operating system files
Answer: D) Corrupted operating system files.
Explanation: A BSOD can occur when the operating system encounters a critical error it can’t recover from, often due to corrupted or damaged system files.
What is the purpose of a firewall in a network security setup?
- A) To monitor incoming and outgoing traffic
- B) To encrypt data
- C) To store passwords
- D) To manage network addresses
Answer: A) To monitor incoming and outgoing traffic.
Explanation: A firewall is a security system that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. It helps to prevent unauthorized access to a network and protect against malicious attacks.
A user reports that their laptop screen is not displaying properly. What should be the first step in troubleshooting the issue?
- A) Replace the laptop’s battery
- B) Update the video drivers
- C) Replace the laptop screen
- D) Check the video cable connection
Answer: D) Check the video cable connection.
Explanation: If a laptop screen is not displaying properly, the first step should be to check the connection between the screen and the computer. A loose or damaged cable could be causing the display issue.
What is the purpose of defragmenting a hard drive?
- A) To increase the speed of the hard drive
- B) To decrease the size of the hard drive
- C) To improve the reliability of the hard drive
- D) To increase the storage capacity of the hard drive
Answer: A) To increase the speed of the hard drive.
Explanation: Defragmenting a hard drive rearranges the data stored on it to make it more contiguous, reducing the time it takes for the hard drive to find and retrieve the data. This can help to increase the overall speed and performance of the hard drive.
A user reports that their keyboard is not working properly. What should be the first step in troubleshooting the issue?
- A) Replace the keyboard
- B) Check the keyboard cable connection
- C) Update the keyboard driver
- D) Clean the keyboard
Answer: B) Check the keyboard cable connection.
Explanation: If a keyboard is not working properly, the first step should be to check the connection between the keyboard and the computer. A loose or damaged cable could be causing the keyboard to malfunction.
What is the purpose of an Operating System (OS)?
- A) To manage hardware resources
- B) To run applications
- C) To store data
- D) To perform arithmetic calculations
Answer: A) To manage hardware resources.
Explanation: An Operating System (OS) is the foundation of a computer system that manages the computer’s hardware resources, such as the CPU, memory, and storage, and provides a platform for running applications.
What is the most common type of physical connector used for a network cable?
- A) USB
- B) HDMI
- C) Ethernet
- D) VGA
Answer: C) Ethernet.
Explanation: Ethernet is the most common type of physical connector used for a network cable, it is typically a rectangular connector used to connect computers and other devices to a network.
A user reports that their printer is not printing properly. What should be the first step in troubleshooting the issue?
- A) Replace the printer
- B) Check the printer driver
- C) Clean the printer
- D) Check the paper supply
Answer: B) Check the printer driver.
Explanation: If a printer is not printing properly, the first step should be to check the printer driver, to make sure that it is up-to-date and compatible with the operating system. An outdated or incorrect driver can cause the printer to malfunction.
What is the purpose of a router in a network setup?
- A) To manage network addresses
- B) To encrypt data
- C) To distribute network traffic
- D) To store passwords
Answer: C) To distribute network traffic.
Explanation: A router is a network device that connects multiple networks and distributes network traffic between them. It helps to control the flow of data and improve network performance by directing traffic to the appropriate destination.
Basic Sample Questions
Question 1: In this scenario, a company wants to grant third-party developers access to its corporate network through desktop environments under its control. Which of the given options can BEST achieve these requirements?
- A. Sandbox
- B. VDI
- C. Private cloud
- D. SaaS
Correct Answer: B
Question 2 – During the installation, a technician finds that the Cat 5 cable, which is connected to the network jack, does not work when it is moved around. Which items should the technician use for fixing the issue? (Choose two.)
- A. Scissors
- B. Network tap
- C. Magnetized screwdriver
- D. Tone generator
- E. RJ45 connector
- F. Crimper
Correct Answer: EF
Question 3 – Upon acquiring a new workstation, a user attempts to open multiple large Excel files simultaneously. In the case of such large requests, the user is not experiencing the expected performance. What must a technician do FIRST?
- A. Increasing the swap partition.
- B. Upgrading the CPU in the workstation.
- C. Upgrading the power supply in the workstation.
- D. Upgrading the RAM in the workstation.
Correct Answer: A
Question 4 – Which of the following option correctly utilizes TCP ports 20/21 and transfers data in cleartext?
- A. SNMP
- B. SSH
- C. FTP
- D. Telnet
Correct Answer: C
Question 5 – The processing ability of an organization’s computers needs to be upgraded. In most cases, users report that when multiple applications are in use, the system’s response time slows down dramatically. There is no problem with the response time when only one application is open. Which of the following should be upgraded FIRST?
- A. SSD
- B. CPU
- C. HDD
- D. RAM
Correct Answer: D
Question 6 – It is important to ensure that client-side virtualization guest machines are separated from each other and have similar security requirements as physical machines. What will BEST describe this client-side guest security requirement?
- A. Isolation
- B. Authentication
- C. Hardening
- D. Authorization
Correct Answer: A
Question 7 – A user connects a smartphone to a laptop. What type of network has the user created?
- A. PAN
- B. MAN
- C. WLAN
- D. LAN
Correct Answer: A
Question 8 – There were a number of spam emails that recently passed through a spam gateway for an organization. Despite having similar content, these emails were sent from different domains. Which of the given solutions will help mitigate the issue?
- A. Updating the keyword filtering
- B. Editing the sender policy framework
- C. Contacting the gateway vendor
- D. Verifying DMARC is enabled
Correct Answer: D
Question 9 – It has been reported that several users in an office who share a multifunction printer are seeing thin, vertical lines covering the entire height of every page. What is the MOST likely procedure that a technician should follow in order to resolve the problem?
- A. Replacing the printer paper with a new ream.
- B. Clearing the print spooler on each computer.
- C. Reinstalling the printer driver on each computer.
- D. Performing the drum-cleaning procedure.
Correct Answer: D
Question 10 – In order to ensure maximum uptime for customers’ virtual machines, which of the following should the hardware technician implement?
- A. Line conditioner
- B. AC voltage regulator
- C. Uninterruptible power supply
- D. Cloud storage backup
Correct Answer: C
Question 11 – In order to improve a workstation’s overall response time, it is necessary to replace the current hard drive without removing the current operating system. Which storage devices must the technician install?
- A. M.2
- B. SAS
- C. HDD
- D. SCSI
Correct Answer: A
Question 12 – A technician is setting up a device for using two-factor authentication. Which of the following options will meet this requirement?
- A. Thumbprint/retinal scan
- B. Password/password
- C. Password/thumbprint
- D. Password/PIN
Correct Answer: C
Question 13 – Which of the following statements can BEST describe the main function of a web server?
- A. Storing files and controlling user access
- B. Setting up personal mailboxes and calendars
- C. Providing IP addresses and printing services
- D. Hosting home pages and business portals
Correct Answer: A
Question 14 – A user reports keyboard issues with an older laptop to the help desk, and the technician inspects the laptop and does not see any external damage, but many keystrokes do not register in a word processor. The laptop is working fine when the technician tests it with an external keyboard. What actions would MOST likely resolve the issue?
- A. Disabling the sticky keys feature.
- B. Cleaning the keyboard.
- C. Resetting the BIOS settings to default.
- D. Charging the laptop.
Correct Answer: B
Question 15 – In the process of configuring a company-owned smartphone for a new manager, the administrator needs the ability to wipe the phone’s data remotely in case of loss or theft, as well as the capability to approve apps. Which of the given tools will BEST meet this need?
- A. Tethering to a corporate-owned laptop
- B. WPA2-Enterprise wireless
- C. Corporate enterprise email
- D. Mobile device management
Correct Answer: D
Question 16 – A technician is working on installing additional RAM in a desktop computer. Which type of RAM is MOST likely to be used?
- A. SODIMM
- B. DDR3
- C. ECC
- D. VRAM
Correct Answer: B
Question 17 – Vertical streaks are appearing on the output of a laser printer. Which of the given items is the MOST likely cause?
- A. Roller
- B. Drum
- C. Transfer belt
- D. Ribbon
Correct Answer: B
Question 18 – Despite installing the necessary software, a technician cannot create any virtual machines on a workstation configured as a VM host. What action should be necessarily performed?
- A. Disabling the BIOS password.
- B. Enabling TPM.
- C. Enabling multithreading.
- D. Enabling Fast Startup.
Correct Answer: C
Question 19 – Users attempting to give presentations via a projector in a conference room report that the projector only displays video but no audio. Which of the following will MOST likely resolve the issue?
- A. Changing the input on the projector to VGA
- B. Changing the output on the PC to DVI
- C. Modifying the projector’s refresh rate
- D. Utilizing an HDMI connection
Correct Answer: D
Question 20 – The user selects a webcam to use with a popular videoconferencing program, but the webcam cannot be opened. However, the webcam was working the previous day. What must be done to address this issue?
- A. Closing other video software and retrying.
- B. Adjusting the conference software to a compatible resolution.
- C. Switching the video from the webcam to “conference” mode.
- D. Reseating or replacing the webcam.
Correct Answer: A