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220-1201 Practice Question: A user wants to use a wired headset with their…
A user wants to use a wired headset with their tablet for voice calls, but the tablet only has a single USB-C port and no 3.5mm jack. The headset has a 3.5mm plug. Which accessory should you recommend?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that a USB-C hub (Option A) is a universal solution for all port shortages, but candidates must recognize that audio output requires a specific adapter with a DAC, not just any hub.
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
✓
A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.
A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter converts the digital audio signal from the USB-C port into an analog signal that the wired headset can use. This adapter typically includes a built-in DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) to handle the conversion, enabling voice calls through the tablet's USB-C port without requiring additional power or Bluetooth pairing.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
A USB-C hub with multiple ports.
Why it's wrong here
A USB-C hub with multiple ports primarily serves to expand the number of available USB-C, USB-A, video, or network connections from a single USB-C port. While some advanced hubs might integrate a 3.5mm audio jack, a generic hub does not inherently provide this functionality. Therefore, to connect a wired 3.5mm headset, a separate USB-C to 3.5mm adapter would still be necessary, making the hub an inefficient and redundant solution for the specific audio requirement.
- ✗
A Bluetooth audio adapter for the headset.
Why it's wrong here
A Bluetooth audio adapter is designed to convert a wired audio device into a wireless one by transmitting audio signals via Bluetooth technology. This device would enable the headset to connect wirelessly to a Bluetooth-enabled source. However, the user explicitly stated a desire for a *wired* headset connection, which a Bluetooth adapter fundamentally contradicts by transforming the connection type to wireless.
- ✓
A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter.
Why this is correct
Many modern tablets and smartphones have eliminated the dedicated 3.5mm audio jack, relying on the versatile USB-C port for both data and audio transmission. A USB-C to 3.5mm adapter contains a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that translates the digital audio signal from the USB-C port into an analog signal compatible with a standard 3.5mm wired headset. This adapter directly plugs into the tablet's USB-C port and provides the necessary 3.5mm jack, thereby fulfilling the user's requirement for a wired audio connection.
- ✗
A 3.5mm Y-splitter cable.
Why it's wrong here
A 3.5mm Y-splitter cable is designed to take a single 3.5mm audio output and divide it into two or more 3.5mm outputs, typically for sharing audio or separating microphone and headphone signals. This device presupposes the existence of an initial 3.5mm audio jack on the source device. Since the tablet in question lacks a native 3.5mm port, a Y-splitter would have no input source to split, rendering it completely ineffective for connecting a wired headset.
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
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Power Supply Units and Connectors
Key term
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology used to connect devices like keyboards, mice, headphones, and smartphones without cables.
Key term
Tablet
A tablet is a portable computing device with a touchscreen interface, typically larger than a smartphone but smaller than a laptop, used for browsing, media consumption, and light productivity tasks.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.