The answer is a cable being pinched or crushed in the conduit. This occurs because sharp bends in the conduit exceed the cable’s minimum bend radius, which physically deforms the internal conductors and insulation, leading to intermittent shorts as the damaged wires make contact under vibration or movement. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish physical layer faults from signal degradation issues like attenuation or crosstalk—a common trap is to blame the 85-meter length, but the real culprit is the bend radius violation causing intermittent shorts rather than a fixed distance limit. Remember that a cable tester showing intermittent shorts points to physical damage, not a length problem. Memory tip: “Sharp bends pinch, shorts begin.”
220-1201 Cabling Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cabling. 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.
A technician is troubleshooting a network where one workstation intermittently loses connectivity. The cable run is 85 meters and passes through a conduit with several sharp bends. The cable tester shows intermittent shorts. Which cabling issue is most likely?
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 cable is being pinched or crushed in the conduit.
This question tests understanding of physical cable damage due to improper installation. Sharp bends can exceed the cable's bend radius, causing internal wire damage or shorts. The correct answer identifies this as the root cause.
Key principle: Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
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 cable is too long for the network standard.
Why it's wrong here
85 meters is within the 100-meter limit for most Ethernet standards.
✓
The cable is being pinched or crushed in the conduit.
Why this is correct
Sharp bends or crushing can damage the cable's internal conductors, causing intermittent shorts.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Authentication checks who the user is.
✗
The cable is unshielded and picking up EMI.
Why it's wrong here
EMI typically causes signal degradation, not physical shorts detected by a cable tester.
✗
The cable is a flat patch cable used for a permanent run.
Why it's wrong here
Flat cables are less durable but would not specifically cause intermittent shorts from bending.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: authentication is not authorization
Logging in proves the user can authenticate. It does not automatically mean the user is allowed to enter privileged or configuration mode. Watch for AAA authorization, privilege level and command authorization details.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This kind of question is testing the difference between identity and permission. A user may successfully log in to a router because authentication is working, but still fail to enter configuration mode because authorization is missing, misconfigured or mapped to a lower privilege level.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Authentication checks who the user is.
Authorization controls what the user is allowed to do after login.
Privilege levels affect access to EXEC and configuration commands.
AAA, TACACS+ and RADIUS can separate login success from command access.
TExam Day Tips
→Do not assume successful login means full administrative access.
→Look for words such as cannot enter configuration mode, privilege level, authorization or command access.
→Separate login problems from permission problems before choosing the answer.
Key takeaway
Authentication proves identity; authorization controls what that identity can do after login. Both must work for full privileged access.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
Related glossary terms
Concepts from this question explained
These glossary pages explain the core terms tested in this 220-1201 question in full detail.
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 220-1201 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
Cabling — This question tests Cabling — Authentication checks who the user is..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The cable is being pinched or crushed in the conduit. — This question tests understanding of physical cable damage due to improper installation. Sharp bends can exceed the cable's bend radius, causing internal wire damage or shorts. The correct answer identifies this as the root cause.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Review Cisco AAA concepts — authentication, authorization, and accounting. Study privilege levels (0–15), command authorization under TACACS+, and how RADIUS differs. Then practise related 220-1201 questions on access control and AAA configuration.
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?
Authentication checks who the user is.
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Question Discussion
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