The answer is a damaged LCD panel or its video cable. This is correct because when a laptop display is distorted with colors and horizontal lines but an external monitor works fine, the graphics adapter is ruled out as the cause—it is successfully sending a signal to the external display. The fault must therefore lie in the internal display chain, specifically the LCD panel itself or the flexible video cable connecting it to the motherboard. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to isolate hardware failures using the principle of component substitution; a common trap is to assume the GPU is bad when the issue is actually mechanical. Remember the memory tip: “If external is perfect, the internal path is suspect.”
220-1201 Display Devices Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices. 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.
A user reports that their laptop's built-in display shows distorted colors and horizontal lines, but when they connect an external monitor via VGA, the external display works perfectly. What is the most likely cause?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The laptop's LCD panel or its video cable is damaged
The internal display or its cable/connector is faulty because the external monitor works fine, ruling out the graphics adapter. This isolates the problem to the laptop's LCD panel or its connection.
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 laptop's GPU is failing
Why it's wrong here
If the GPU were failing, the external monitor would also show issues.
✗
The VGA cable is defective
Why it's wrong here
The external monitor works, so the VGA cable is not the problem.
✓
The laptop's LCD panel or its video cable is damaged
Why this is correct
Since the external display is fine, the internal panel or its connection is the likely culprit.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The display driver is corrupt
Why it's wrong here
A corrupt driver would affect both internal and external displays.
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.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
If the GPU were failing, the external monitor would also show issues.
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 220-1201 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.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Identify which 220-1201 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.
Display Devices — This question tests Display Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The laptop's LCD panel or its video cable is damaged — The internal display or its cable/connector is faulty because the external monitor works fine, ruling out the graphics adapter. This isolates the problem to the laptop's LCD panel or its connection.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which 220-1201 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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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