easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1201 Practice Question: A customer reports that their internet connection…
A customer reports that their internet connection drops frequently during rainstorms. They have a cable modem and a wireless router. What is the most likely cause of the intermittent connection?
⚠ Common exam trap
The CompTIA A+ exam often tests the distinction between cable modem (coaxial) and DSL (telephone line) technologies. The trap here is that candidates may confuse DSL filters with cable modem issues or incorrectly assume that rain only affects satellite or wireless signals, ignoring that coaxial cable is also vulnerable to moisture ingress.
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 cable modem's coaxial cable connection is compromised by moisture.
Cable internet relies on a coaxial cable connection from the street to the modem. During rainstorms, moisture can seep into damaged or poorly sealed coaxial connectors or cable sheathing, causing signal attenuation or intermittent shorting that drops the connection. This is a classic symptom of RF signal degradation due to water ingress, which directly affects the physical layer (Layer 1) of the cable modem's link.
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 wireless router is overheating.
Why it's wrong here
While an overheating wireless router can cause intermittent connection drops due to component stress and thermal throttling, this issue is generally independent of external weather conditions like rainstorms. Overheating typically results from poor ventilation, dust accumulation, or component failure, leading to consistent instability rather than drops specifically correlated with moisture or precipitation. Therefore, it's an unlikely cause for rain-dependent internet issues.
- ✓
The cable modem's coaxial cable connection is compromised by moisture.
Why this is correct
Moisture ingress into a coaxial cable connection, particularly at outdoor splices or poorly sealed connectors, can significantly degrade the signal quality. Water acts as a conductor and can short the signal, increase impedance, or introduce noise, leading to intermittent signal loss and frequent internet drops, especially during rainstorms when water can penetrate compromised seals. This directly impacts the modem's ability to maintain a stable connection with the ISP.
- ✗
The DSL filter is malfunctioning.
Why it's wrong here
A malfunctioning DSL filter is irrelevant in this scenario because the customer explicitly states they have a "cable modem," indicating a cable internet service, not Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). DSL filters are specifically designed to separate voice and data signals on traditional telephone lines used by DSL, and their operation is not typically affected by external weather conditions like rain.
- ✗
The satellite dish is out of alignment.
Why it's wrong here
While satellite internet connections are susceptible to "rain fade," where heavy precipitation can attenuate the signal between the dish and the satellite, this option is incorrect because the customer explicitly uses a "cable modem." A cable modem connects to a coaxial cable infrastructure, not a satellite dish, making satellite dish alignment irrelevant to their internet service type.
Quick reference
OSI Model Reference
| Layer | Name | PDU | Key Protocols / Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Application | Data | HTTP, HTTPS, DNS, SMTP, FTP, SSH |
| 6 | Presentation | Data | TLS / SSL, JPEG, ASCII encoding |
| 5 | Session | Data | NetBIOS, RPC, SIP |
| 4 | Transport | Segment / Datagram | TCP, UDP |
| 3 | Network | Packet | IP, ICMP, OSPF — Routers |
| 2 | Data Link | Frame | Ethernet, Wi-Fi, PPP — Switches, Bridges |
| 1 | Physical | Bits | Cables, NICs, Hubs, Repeaters |
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA 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 220-1201 exam.