- A
The HDMI cable is not version 2.0 or higher
Why wrong: HDMI 1.4 supports 1080p, so cable version is not causing stretching.
- B
The secondary monitor's resolution is set to 1440p instead of 1080p
If the 1080p monitor is set to a higher resolution, the OS scales it, causing stretching.
- C
The graphics card cannot support two different resolutions
Why wrong: Modern GPUs easily support multiple resolutions.
- D
The secondary monitor is set to extend mode instead of duplicate
Why wrong: Extend mode is correct for dual monitors; duplicate would mirror, not stretch.
Question 678 of 1,020
Dual Monitor Resolution Mismatch: Fixing a Stretched Image
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 technician is configuring a dual-monitor setup for a stock trader. The primary monitor is a 27-inch 1440p display connected via DisplayPort, and the secondary is a 24-inch 1080p display connected via HDMI. The user notices that windows dragged to the secondary monitor appear stretched. What is the most likely cause?
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.
Clue:
"primary"Why it matters: Asks for the main purpose or function, not a secondary benefit. Eliminate answers that describe side-effects or partial functions.
Quick Answer
The answer is that the secondary monitor’s resolution is set to 1440p instead of its native 1080p. This is the most likely cause because when a monitor receives a signal at a resolution higher than its native panel resolution, the display driver must scale the image down to fit the physical pixels, which introduces distortion and stretching. In a dual monitor setup with a resolution mismatch, each display must be configured to its own native resolution in Windows Display Settings; the 1080p monitor should be set to 1920x1080, not the 1440p resolution intended for the primary display. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of display configuration and scaling, often appearing as a troubleshooting question where the technician must identify that a stretched image on a secondary monitor is not a cable or driver fault but a simple resolution misconfiguration. A common trap is assuming the stretched image is caused by a bad HDMI cable or incorrect aspect ratio setting, but the core issue is always matching the resolution to the monitor’s native specs. Memory tip: “Native resolution, no distortion—set each screen to its own proportion.”
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 secondary monitor's resolution is set to 1440p instead of 1080p
When a 1080p monitor is configured to run at 1440p, the graphics card scales the image to fit the physical panel, but the pixel density mismatch causes stretching and blurriness. The secondary monitor's native resolution is 1920x1080, so setting it to 2560x1440 forces non-native scaling, distorting the image. This is the most common cause of stretched windows in a multi-monitor setup with different native resolutions.
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 HDMI cable is not version 2.0 or higher
Why it's wrong here
HDMI 1.4 supports 1080p, so cable version is not causing stretching.
- ✓
The secondary monitor's resolution is set to 1440p instead of 1080p
Why this is correct
If the 1080p monitor is set to a higher resolution, the OS scales it, causing stretching.
Clue confirmation
The clue words "most likely", "primary" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The graphics card cannot support two different resolutions
Why it's wrong here
Modern GPUs easily support multiple resolutions.
- ✗
The secondary monitor is set to extend mode instead of duplicate
Why it's wrong here
Extend mode is correct for dual monitors; duplicate would mirror, not stretch.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the misconception that HDMI cable version or graphics card limitations cause scaling issues, when the real culprit is a manual resolution override that mismatches the monitor's native resolution.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, each monitor's EDID (Extended Display Identification Data) reports its native resolution to the graphics card. If the user manually overrides the resolution in the OS display settings (e.g., setting 1440p on a 1080p panel), the GPU's scalar performs non-native scaling, which interpolates pixels and distorts the aspect ratio. In a real-world scenario, a stock trader might inadvertently set the secondary monitor to match the primary's resolution for visual consistency, not realizing the physical panel cannot display it natively.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Display Devices — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Display Devices practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All 220-1201 questions
1,020 questions across all exam domains
- →
CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
220-1201 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related 220-1201 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Mobile Device Hardware Servicing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Hardware Servicing.
Mobile Device Connection Methods practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Connection Methods.
Mobile Device Accessories practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Accessories.
Mobile Device Network Connectivity practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Network Connectivity.
Mobile Device Application Support practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Mobile Device Application Support.
Network Protocols practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Protocols.
TCP & UDP Ports practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to TCP & UDP Ports.
Wireless Networking Technologies practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Wireless Networking Technologies.
Network Services practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Services.
Network Configuration Concepts practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Network Configuration Concepts.
Common Networking Hardware practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to Common Networking Hardware.
IP Addressing practice questions
Practise 220-1201 questions linked to IP Addressing.
Practice this exam
Start a free 220-1201 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Display Devices — This question tests Display Devices — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The secondary monitor's resolution is set to 1440p instead of 1080p — When a 1080p monitor is configured to run at 1440p, the graphics card scales the image to fit the physical panel, but the pixel density mismatch causes stretching and blurriness. The secondary monitor's native resolution is 1920x1080, so setting it to 2560x1440 forces non-native scaling, distorting the image. This is the most common cause of stretched windows in a multi-monitor setup with different native resolutions.
What should I do if I get this 220-1201 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely", "primary". 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
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
1 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their external monitor connected via HDMI shows a blurry image and the text is hard to read. They have tried a different HDMI cable and the issue persists. What is the most likely cause?
easy- A.The HDMI cable is defective.
- B.The monitor's refresh rate is set too low.
- ✓ C.The display resolution is set below the monitor's native resolution.
- D.The graphics driver is corrupted.
Why C: When an external monitor displays a blurry image with hard-to-read text, the most likely cause is that the display resolution is set below the monitor's native resolution. Each LCD monitor has a fixed native resolution (e.g., 1920x1080), and running at any other resolution forces the monitor to scale the image, which introduces blurriness and loss of sharpness. Since the user already tried a different HDMI cable, the cable is not the issue, and a low refresh rate typically causes flickering or motion artifacts, not static blur.
Keep practising
More 220-1201 practice questions
- During a network cable installation, a technician needs to verify that a newly run Cat6 cable is properly terminated and…
- A user connects a 4K monitor to their laptop using a USB-C port. The monitor is detected, but the resolution is stuck at…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that will not charge. The battery is removable, and the power adapter works on…
- A customer brings in a smartphone with a broken charging port. They want the port replaced. During disassembly, the tech…
- A user reports that their laptop's keyboard types random characters when certain keys are pressed. The laptop has not be…
- A technician is troubleshooting a laptop that shuts down randomly after a few minutes of use. The fan is spinning, and t…
Last reviewed: Jul 4, 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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.