- A
Crosstalk: Interference caused by electromagnetic coupling between adjacent cables.
Crosstalk is a common cable issue where signals from one wire pair induce unwanted signals in adjacent pairs due to electromagnetic interference.
- B
Attenuation: Loss of signal strength over the length of the cable.
Why wrong: Attenuation is indeed signal loss, but the question asks for the symptom of 'interference', not signal loss.
- C
Impedance mismatch: Reflection of signals due to inconsistent cable impedance.
Why wrong: Impedance mismatch causes signal reflections, not interference from adjacent cables.
- D
Split pair: Incorrect wire pairing causing excessive crosstalk.
Why wrong: Split pair is a wiring error that can cause crosstalk, but the question asks for the symptom description of 'interference', not the cause.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is crosstalk, which is interference caused by electromagnetic coupling between adjacent cables. This occurs because signals in one wire induce unwanted voltages in nearby wires, corrupting the data and leading to interface error counters like CRC and input errors on the receiving device. On the CCNA 200-301 v2 exam, this concept often appears in drag-and-drop or multiple-choice questions where you must match cable fault symptoms to their definitions, testing your ability to distinguish crosstalk from other physical-layer issues like attenuation or impedance mismatch. A common trap is confusing crosstalk with near-end crosstalk (NEXT), but remember that crosstalk broadly refers to any electromagnetic interference between cables, while NEXT specifically measures it at the transmitting end. For a quick memory tip, think of crosstalk as “crossed talk” between wires, like two people whispering too close together, causing garbled messages that show up as CRC and input errors on your interface counters.
CCNA Network Infrastructure and Connectivity Practice Question
This 200-301 practice question tests your understanding of network infrastructure and connectivity. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
Drag and drop the cable issue symptoms on the left to the correct descriptions on the right.
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
Crosstalk: Interference caused by electromagnetic coupling between adjacent cables.
Each interface counter describes a specific type of packet failure. CRC errors occur when the frame check sequence fails, pointing to physical issues like bad cabling or interference. Input errors is a broader counter that sums all receive-side anomalies, including CRC errors, runts, and giants. Output errors represents transmit-side failures, often from collisions, buffer overruns, or late collisions. Runts are frames shorter than the 64-byte minimum, commonly caused by collisions or defective hardware, while giants exceed the maximum frame size and usually indicate a duplex mismatch or faulty NIC. Understanding these categories helps pinpoint whether the problem is receive-side, transmit-side, or due to physical layer faults.
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.
- ✓
Crosstalk: Interference caused by electromagnetic coupling between adjacent cables.
Why this is correct
Crosstalk is a common cable issue where signals from one wire pair induce unwanted signals in adjacent pairs due to electromagnetic interference.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Attenuation: Loss of signal strength over the length of the cable.
Why it's wrong here
Attenuation is indeed signal loss, but the question asks for the symptom of 'interference', not signal loss.
- ✗
Impedance mismatch: Reflection of signals due to inconsistent cable impedance.
Why it's wrong here
Impedance mismatch causes signal reflections, not interference from adjacent cables.
- ✗
Split pair: Incorrect wire pairing causing excessive crosstalk.
Why it's wrong here
Split pair is a wiring error that can cause crosstalk, but the question asks for the symptom description of 'interference', not the cause.
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.
✓Crosstalk: Interference caused by electromagnetic coupling between adjacent cables.Correct answer▾
Why this is correct
Crosstalk is a common cable issue where signals from one wire pair induce unwanted signals in adjacent pairs due to electromagnetic interference.
✗Attenuation: Loss of signal strength over the length of the cable.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Attenuation refers to signal degradation over distance, not interference from external sources.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may confuse attenuation with interference because both degrade signal quality.
✗Impedance mismatch: Reflection of signals due to inconsistent cable impedance.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Impedance mismatch is a different issue that leads to signal bounce and data errors, not crosstalk.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates might think impedance mismatch causes interference because it disrupts signal integrity.
✗Split pair: Incorrect wire pairing causing excessive crosstalk.Wrong answer — click to see why▾
Why this is wrong here
Split pair is a specific cause of crosstalk, not the symptom itself.
Why candidates choose this
Candidates may associate split pair directly with interference, but the description 'interference caused by electromagnetic coupling' defines crosstalk, not split pair.
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.
- →
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 200-301 questions
1,819 questions across all exam domains
- →
CCNA 200-301 v2 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
200-301 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 200-301 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Infrastructure and Connectivity.
Switching and Network Access practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Switching and Network Access.
IP Routing practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to IP Routing.
Network Services and Security practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to Network Services and Security.
AI and Network Operations practice questions
Practise 200-301 questions linked to AI and Network Operations.
CCNA subnetting practice questions
Practise IPv4 subnetting, CIDR, masks, host ranges and subnet selection.
CCNA OSPF practice questions
Practise OSPF neighbours, router IDs, metrics, areas and routing-table interpretation.
CCNA VLAN practice questions
Practise VLANs, access ports, trunks, allowed VLANs and switching scenarios.
CCNA STP practice questions
Practise spanning tree, root bridge election, port roles and STP troubleshooting.
CCNA EtherChannel practice questions
Practise LACP, PAgP, port-channel behaviour and bundle requirements.
CCNA ACL practice questions
Practise standard and extended ACLs, permit/deny logic and traffic filtering.
CCNA NAT practice questions
Practise static NAT, dynamic NAT, PAT and inside/outside address translation.
Practice this exam
Start a free 200-301 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 200-301 question test?
Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — This question tests Network Infrastructure and Connectivity — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Crosstalk: Interference caused by electromagnetic coupling between adjacent cables. — Each interface counter describes a specific type of packet failure. CRC errors occur when the frame check sequence fails, pointing to physical issues like bad cabling or interference. Input errors is a broader counter that sums all receive-side anomalies, including CRC errors, runts, and giants. Output errors represents transmit-side failures, often from collisions, buffer overruns, or late collisions. Runts are frames shorter than the 64-byte minimum, commonly caused by collisions or defective hardware, while giants exceed the maximum frame size and usually indicate a duplex mismatch or faulty NIC. Understanding these categories helps pinpoint whether the problem is receive-side, transmit-side, or due to physical layer faults.
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 →
Keep practising
More 200-301 practice questions
- A switchport connected to another switch should carry multiple VLANs, but it was manually configured as an access port.…
- What problem is HSRP designed to solve?
- Which TWO statements correctly describe the causes or implications of CRC errors, runts, giants, or output errors as see…
- You are connected to R1. Configure IPv4 and IPv6 addressing on R1's interfaces and verify reachability to R2. The curren…
- Which TWO statements accurately describe how AI/ML concepts are applied to network operations in modern enterprise netwo…
- Which TWO switch port configurations are required when connecting a Cisco IP phone and a desktop PC to a single access p…
Last reviewed: Jun 6, 2026
This 200-301 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 200-301 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.