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220-1201 Practice Question: A user has a laptop that supports USB-C Power…
A user has a laptop that supports USB-C Power Delivery and wants to charge it using a portable power bank while on a flight. The power bank has a USB-A output. Which additional accessory is required?
⚠ Common exam trap
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that any USB-C cable or adapter will enable charging, when in reality the power source must also support the USB-C PD protocol to deliver the higher voltages required by laptops.
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
✓
A power bank that supports USB-C Power Delivery output.
The laptop requires USB-C Power Delivery (PD) to negotiate a charging voltage higher than the standard 5V. A power bank with only a USB-A output cannot provide the PD protocol negotiation over USB-A, as PD is a feature of the USB-C connector and its configuration channel (CC) lines. Therefore, a power bank that explicitly supports USB-C PD output is necessary to deliver the higher wattage (e.g., 20V/3A) that the laptop expects for charging.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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A USB-A to USB-C cable.
Why it's wrong here
A USB-A to USB-C cable cannot facilitate USB Power Delivery (PD) because USB-A ports lack the Configuration Channel (CC) pins essential for power negotiation. USB-A typically provides standard 5V at lower currents (0.5A to 2.4A), which is insufficient for most laptops that require higher voltages and currents (e.g., 20V) for efficient charging. Consequently, the laptop would receive only minimal power, making it charge very slowly or not at all.
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A USB-C to USB-C cable.
Why it's wrong here
While a USB-C to USB-C cable is technically required for USB Power Delivery (PD) to enable the necessary power negotiation between devices, it is not the solution in this specific context. The problem implies the user's *current* power bank only has USB-A ports. Therefore, even possessing the correct cable for PD, there would be no compatible USB-C port on the existing power bank to connect it to, rendering this cable unusable with the current hardware setup.
- ✓
A power bank that supports USB-C Power Delivery output.
Why this is correct
For a laptop that supports USB-C Power Delivery (PD) to charge efficiently, the power source, such as a power bank, must also explicitly support USB-C PD *output*. This capability allows the power bank to negotiate and supply the higher voltages and currents (e.g., 20V at 3A or 5A) that modern laptops require for proper charging. The existing power bank, presumably lacking a USB-C PD output port, cannot meet these power demands, thus necessitating a new, PD-enabled power bank.
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A USB-C to HDMI adapter.
Why it's wrong here
A USB-C to HDMI adapter is designed to convert a video signal transmitted over USB-C (via DisplayPort Alternate Mode) into an HDMI output for an external display. Its primary function is video connectivity, not power input for the laptop. This adapter would not facilitate charging or power delivery from a power bank to the laptop, as it addresses display requirements rather than the necessary power input for the device.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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