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220-1202 Practice Question: A graphic designer is running out of storage…
A graphic designer is running out of storage space on their MacBook Air. They have a large collection of old design files that they rarely access but want to keep available on demand without manual intervention. Which macOS feature should you enable to automatically free up space?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the misconception that backup solutions like Time Machine can free up space, when in reality they only duplicate data and require manual deletion of local files to reclaim storage.
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
✓
Turn on iCloud Drive and select 'Optimize Mac Storage'
ICloud Drive with 'Optimize Mac Storage' automatically moves rarely accessed files from the local drive to iCloud, keeping them available on demand while freeing up local space. This feature is designed exactly for the scenario of maintaining access to large, infrequently used files without manual intervention, leveraging cloud storage to offload data seamlessly.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Enable Time Machine to an external drive
Why it's wrong here
Time Machine copies files to an external drive for backup and version history; it leaves the originals on the internal SSD, so no space is freed. It is the right choice when the goal is recoverable backups after deletion or drive failure, not automatic on-demand storage management.
- ✓
Turn on iCloud Drive and select 'Optimize Mac Storage'
Why this is correct
iCloud Drive with Optimize Mac Storage automatically evicts local copies of files, retaining only recent or frequently used items while older design files stay downloadable on demand. This frees space without manual intervention, exactly matching the stated requirement.
- ✗
Use Disk Utility to erase and repartition the drive
Why it's wrong here
Erasing and repartitioning destroys all data on the drive and creates no automatic mechanism for offloading files on demand. Disk Utility is appropriate for repairing corruption, changing partition schemes or preparing a drive, not for reclaiming space while keeping files accessible.
- ✗
Configure a local Time Machine snapshot schedule
Why it's wrong here
Local Time Machine snapshots capture point-in-time states on the same volume for short-term recovery; they consume additional space rather than releasing it. Snapshots are appropriate when you need to roll back recent changes, not when macOS should offload rarely accessed files automatically.
Quick reference
Access Control Model Comparison
| Model | Acronym | Who Controls Access? | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discretionary Access Control | DAC | Resource owner | Small teams, file shares |
| Mandatory Access Control | MAC | System / security labels | Classified govt / military |
| Role-Based Access Control | RBAC | Administrator (via roles) | Enterprise environments |
| Attribute-Based Access Control | ABAC | Policy engine (user + resource attributes) | Fine-grained, dynamic policies |
| Rule-Based Access Control | RuBAC | System rules / ACLs | Firewall rules, network ACLs |
Go deeper
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 220-1202 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 220-1202 exam.