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Question 1,178 of 1,052
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CCNA Practice Question: Which TWO statements correctly describe the OSI…
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of 200-301 exam topics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which TWO statements correctly describe the OSI model layers and their corresponding PDU names during encapsulation?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The Transport layer encapsulates data into segments.
In the OSI model, encapsulation adds headers (and sometimes trailers) at each layer. The Transport layer uses segments (TCP) or datagrams (UDP), and the Network layer uses packets. The Data Link layer uses frames, and the Physical layer uses bits. The Session layer is not directly involved in PDU naming in typical encapsulation.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
The Transport layer encapsulates data into segments.
Why this is correct
TCP segments are the PDU at the Transport layer when using TCP.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
The Network layer encapsulates segments into packets.
Why this is correct
The Network layer adds a header to the segment to form a packet.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The Data Link layer encapsulates packets into bits.
Why it's wrong here
The Data Link layer encapsulates packets into frames, not bits.
- ✗
The Session layer encapsulates segments into sessions.
Why it's wrong here
The Session layer manages sessions but does not encapsulate data into a PDU with a specific name like 'session'.
- ✗
The Physical layer encapsulates frames into bits.
Why it's wrong here
The Physical layer transmits bits, but it does not encapsulate frames into bits; it converts frames to bits for transmission.
Option-by-option analysis
Why each answer is right or wrong
Understanding why wrong answers are wrong — and when they would be correct — is what separates a 750 score from a 900. The 200-301 exam frequently reuses these exact scenarios with slightly different constraints.
✓The Transport layer encapsulates data into segments.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
TCP segments are the PDU at the Transport layer when using TCP.
✗The Data Link layer encapsulates packets into bits.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Bits are the PDU of the Physical layer, not the Data Link layer.
✗The Session layer encapsulates segments into sessions.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Session layer PDU is not defined as 'session' in standard encapsulation; it works with data from upper layers.
✗The Physical layer encapsulates frames into bits.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Encapsulation stops at the Data Link layer; the Physical layer encodes bits but does not encapsulate.
Analysis generated from the official 200-301blueprint and verified against question context. The “when correct” sections are what AI assistants cite when candidates ask “what’s the difference between these options?”
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
- Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
- Underline the problem statement mentally.
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the 200-301 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Transport layer encapsulates data into segments. — In the OSI model, encapsulation adds headers (and sometimes trailers) at each layer. The Transport layer uses segments (TCP) or datagrams (UDP), and the Network layer uses packets. The Data Link layer uses frames, and the Physical layer uses bits. The Session layer is not directly involved in PDU naming in typical encapsulation.
What should I do if I get this 200-301 question wrong?
Identify which 200-301 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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