hardMultiple Choice
220-1201 Practice Question: A user wants to connect a laptop to a 4K…
A user wants to connect a laptop to a 4K projector for a presentation. The laptop has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, and the projector has an HDMI input. Which cable or adapter is required?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap is confusing the direction of conversion or assuming any USB-C cable works for video; candidates must recognize that USB-C video output requires DP Alt Mode support and an adapter to match the projector's HDMI input.
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
✓
USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable
USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode carries a DisplayPort signal over the USB-C connector, so a USB-C to HDMI adapter (or cable) converts that DP signal to HDMI for the projector. This is the correct single-cable solution because the laptop's USB-C port natively outputs video via Alt Mode. A passive USB-C to HDMI cable or an active adapter both work as long as they support DP Alt Mode.
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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USB-C to USB-C cable
Why it's wrong here
This cable is designed for connecting two USB-C devices, typically for data transfer, charging, or native USB-C video output. However, the projector in this scenario only features an HDMI input, which is a different physical connector and signal standard. Therefore, a direct USB-C to USB-C cable cannot physically plug into the projector's HDMI port, nor would it provide the necessary HDMI video signal without an intermediate adapter.
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HDMI to HDMI cable
Why it's wrong here
An HDMI to HDMI cable requires both the source device (laptop) and the destination device (projector) to have native HDMI ports for direct connection. While the projector has an HDMI input, the laptop in this specific scenario only provides a USB-C output, not a dedicated HDMI port. Consequently, this cable cannot establish a physical connection to the laptop, rendering it incompatible for direct video transmission.
- ✓
USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable
Why this is correct
This is the correct solution because modern USB-C ports often support DisplayPort Alternate Mode (Alt Mode), which allows them to output video signals. A USB-C to HDMI adapter or cable actively converts the DisplayPort Alt Mode signal from the laptop's USB-C port into a standard HDMI signal. This enables seamless video transmission to the projector's HDMI input, effectively bridging the differing port types and signal protocols.
- ✗
DisplayPort to HDMI cable
Why it's wrong here
While DisplayPort is a common digital video interface, the laptop specifically has a USB-C port, not a dedicated DisplayPort output. Although a USB-C port can carry DisplayPort signals via Alt Mode, a direct DisplayPort to HDMI cable requires a native DisplayPort connector on the source device. Thus, this cable cannot physically connect to the laptop's USB-C port, making it an unsuitable choice for this setup.
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Written and reviewed by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
Last reviewed September 2026 · checked against the official CompTIA exam blueprint
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.