hardMultiple Select
FC0-U71 Practice Question: Which THREE of the following are common types of…
Which THREE of the following are common types of network topologies? (Choose three.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse 'circle' with 'ring' topology, but 'circle' is a non-standard term, while 'ring' is the correct CompTIA-recognized topology name; similarly, 'square' is a distractor with no technical basis in networking.
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
✓
Star
Star, bus, and ring are three of the most common physical network topologies defined in networking standards. In a star topology, all devices connect to a central switch or hub, which manages traffic and isolates failures to individual links. Bus topology uses a single backbone cable with terminators at both ends, while ring topology passes data sequentially from one node to the next using a token-passing mechanism (e.g., Token Ring per IEEE 802.5).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
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Circle
Why it's wrong here
Circle is not a recognised topology; standard types are bus, star, ring, mesh, tree and hybrid. It is tempting because ring topologies connect nodes in a circular layout, so candidates confuse the physical shape with the formal topology name.
- ✓
Star
Why this is correct
A star topology connects every device to a central hub or switch, giving a single point of failure and simple fault isolation. It is a standard topology, satisfying the question's requirement to identify common network topologies.
- ✓
Bus
Why this is correct
Bus topology connects every node to a single shared backbone cable, with terminators at both ends absorbing signal reflections. This satisfies the stem's request for a common network topology type, as bus remains a recognised physical and logical layout alongside star, ring, mesh and hybrid designs.
- ✓
Ring
Why this is correct
Ring topology connects each node to exactly two neighbours, forming a closed loop where data travels in one direction. It satisfies the stem's requirement for a common network topology, alongside star and mesh. Its defining feature is the absence of a central device, unlike star topologies.
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Square
Why it's wrong here
Square is not a recognised topology; the standard set comprises bus, star, ring, mesh, tree and hybrid. It is tempting because mesh and grid layouts can appear square on diagrams, leading candidates to name the drawn shape rather than the topology.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This FC0-U71 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 FC0-U71 exam.