- A
The hypervisor is not configured to use hardware-assisted virtualization.
Why wrong: Hardware-assisted virtualization affects CPU performance, not memory allocation; this would cause general slowness across all VMs, not just one.
- B
The file-sharing VM’s virtual hard disk is stored on a slow USB 2.0 external drive.
Why wrong: While a slow disk could cause file-sharing slowness, the scenario specifically points to memory exhaustion (4 GB free on host), not disk I/O.
- C
The file-sharing VM has been allocated insufficient RAM and is experiencing memory ballooning.
Memory ballooning is a technique where the hypervisor reclaims RAM from VMs, causing performance degradation. With only 4 GB free, the host is likely ballooning memory from the file-sharing VM.
- D
The network switch port for the server is set to half-duplex.
Why wrong: A half-duplex switch port would cause network collisions and slow transfers, but the issue is specific to the file-sharing VM, not all VMs, and the symptom is general slowness rather than network errors.
220-1101 Virtualization Concepts Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of virtualization concepts. 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 small business runs a single physical server hosting three virtual machines (VMs) for file sharing, database, and email. The server has 32 GB of RAM, and each VM is allocated 8 GB. Users report that the file-sharing VM is extremely slow. The hypervisor shows the host has 4 GB of RAM free. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the performance issue?
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 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
The file-sharing VM has been allocated insufficient RAM and is experiencing memory ballooning.
The scenario describes memory overcommitment, where the total allocated RAM (24 GB) plus the host overhead leaves only 4 GB free. The file-sharing VM is likely starved for memory because the hypervisor is swapping or ballooning memory to compensate. The correct answer identifies that the VM needs more RAM than currently allocated, which is a common virtualization performance bottleneck.
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 hypervisor is not configured to use hardware-assisted virtualization.
Why it's wrong here
Hardware-assisted virtualization affects CPU performance, not memory allocation; this would cause general slowness across all VMs, not just one.
- ✗
The file-sharing VM’s virtual hard disk is stored on a slow USB 2.0 external drive.
Why it's wrong here
While a slow disk could cause file-sharing slowness, the scenario specifically points to memory exhaustion (4 GB free on host), not disk I/O.
- ✓
The file-sharing VM has been allocated insufficient RAM and is experiencing memory ballooning.
Why this is correct
Memory ballooning is a technique where the hypervisor reclaims RAM from VMs, causing performance degradation. With only 4 GB free, the host is likely ballooning memory from the file-sharing VM.
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 network switch port for the server is set to half-duplex.
Why it's wrong here
A half-duplex switch port would cause network collisions and slow transfers, but the issue is specific to the file-sharing VM, not all VMs, and the symptom is general slowness rather than network errors.
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
Scenario analysis trap
While a slow disk could cause file-sharing slowness, the scenario specifically points to memory exhaustion (4 GB free on host), not disk I/O.
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.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
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.
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Virtualization Concepts — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Virtualization Concepts — This question tests Virtualization Concepts — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The file-sharing VM has been allocated insufficient RAM and is experiencing memory ballooning. — The scenario describes memory overcommitment, where the total allocated RAM (24 GB) plus the host overhead leaves only 4 GB free. The file-sharing VM is likely starved for memory because the hypervisor is swapping or ballooning memory to compensate. The correct answer identifies that the VM needs more RAM than currently allocated, which is a common virtualization performance bottleneck.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
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.
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