easyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
220-1102 Practice Question: That their MacBook Pro running macOS Ventura is…
A user reports that their MacBook Pro running macOS Ventura is unable to open any applications after a recent system update. They see a spinning beach ball when clicking app icons. Which macOS tool should you use first to diagnose and resolve this issue?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA A+ exams often test the misconception that Disk Utility is the universal fix for post-update issues, but the spinning beach ball is a process-level symptom, not a filesystem problem, so Activity Monitor is the correct initial diagnostic tool.
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
✓
Activity Monitor
Activity Monitor is the correct first tool because it allows you to inspect running processes, CPU usage, memory pressure, and disk activity. The spinning beach ball indicates a hung or unresponsive process, likely caused by a kernel extension or system daemon failing after the update. Activity Monitor can identify the offending process (e.g., a high CPU or stuck I/O process) so you can force quit it or gather logs for further troubleshooting.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Terminal
Why it's wrong here
While the Terminal provides powerful command-line utilities like `top` or `ps` for process management, it is not the initial or most efficient tool for diagnosing an unresponsive graphical application for a typical user. Activity Monitor offers a user-friendly graphical interface that visually displays real-time resource consumption, making it significantly easier to identify and terminate a problematic process without needing to recall specific commands or process IDs.
- ✓
Activity Monitor
Why this is correct
Activity Monitor is the primary macOS utility for real-time system resource monitoring, making it the correct first step to diagnose an unresponsive application. It provides a comprehensive overview of CPU, memory, energy, disk, and network usage for all running processes. This allows a technician to quickly identify applications consuming excessive resources or those that are frozen, enabling direct termination of the problematic process to restore system responsiveness.
- ✗
Disk Utility
Why it's wrong here
Disk Utility is a macOS tool specifically designed for managing and maintaining storage devices, including formatting, partitioning, verifying, and repairing disk errors. Its functions are focused on the integrity and organization of the file system and physical storage medium. It does not provide any real-time monitoring of running applications or their resource consumption, making it irrelevant for troubleshooting an unresponsive software application in memory.
- ✗
System Information
Why it's wrong here
System Information compiles a static, detailed report of a Mac's hardware specifications, installed software, network configurations, and other system attributes. While valuable for inventory, compatibility checks, or deep-dive diagnostics into system components, it does not offer dynamic, real-time performance monitoring of active processes. Therefore, it cannot be used to identify which specific application is currently consuming excessive resources or has become unresponsive.
Visual reference
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Related to this question
Learn chapter
macOS and Linux Basics for A+
Key term
Kernel
The kernel is the core program of an operating system that manages hardware resources and provides essential services for all other software to run.
Key term
macOS
macOS is the operating system that powers Apple's Mac computers, providing a graphical interface, system management, and security features for users and IT professionals.
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JA
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.