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FC0-U71 Practice Question: Refer to the exhibit
Exhibit
C:\> ping 8.8.8.8 Pinging 8.8.8.8 with 32 bytes of data: Request timed out. Request timed out. Request timed out. Request timed out. Ping statistics for 8.8.8.8: Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 0, Lost = 4 (100% loss) C:\> ping 192.168.1.1 Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data: Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128 Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128 Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128 Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=1ms TTL=128 Ping statistics for 192.168.1.1: Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss)
Refer to the exhibit. A user can successfully ping the local default gateway but cannot ping an external IP address. What is the most likely cause?
⚠ Common exam trap
CompTIA often tests the distinction between local connectivity (Layer 2/3 within subnet) and external connectivity (Layer 3 routing beyond the gateway), leading candidates to incorrectly blame DNS or subnet mask when the real issue is the upstream connection.
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 internet connection is down
Since the user can successfully ping the local default gateway, the Layer 2 and Layer 3 connectivity within the local subnet is intact, ruling out issues with the NIC, subnet mask, or local routing. The failure to ping an external IP address indicates that traffic is not being forwarded beyond the local network, which most commonly occurs when the internet connection (WAN link) is down or the ISP's upstream router is unreachable.
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 internet connection is down
Why this is correct
The gateway works but external IP fails, indicating an issue beyond the gateway.
- ✗
The network interface card is faulty
Why it's wrong here
If the NIC were faulty, the ping to the gateway would likely fail.
- ✗
The DNS server is not responding
Why it's wrong here
Ping uses an IP address, not DNS, so DNS is irrelevant.
- ✗
The subnet mask is misconfigured
Why it's wrong here
A misconfigured subnet mask would affect local pings, which are successful.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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