- A
The cable is too long for Cat5e.
Why wrong: Cat5e supports up to 100 meters, so 90 meters is fine.
- B
The cable has been cut or damaged.
A sudden loss of link suggests a physical break. This could be from construction, rodents, or accidental damage.
- C
The network switch is not powered on.
Why wrong: The technician tested the switch port and found it fine, so the switch is powered.
- D
The cable is terminated with the wrong standard.
Why wrong: Wrong termination would cause issues from the start, not suddenly after working.
Question 220 of 1,020
220-1201 Cabling Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of cabling. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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 troubleshooting a network drop that was working yesterday but now has no link light. The cable run is 90 meters and uses Cat5e. The patch cables and switch ports have been tested and are fine. What is the most likely issue?
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.
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 cable has been cut or damaged.
Since the cable run is 90 meters (within the 100-meter maximum for Cat5e), the patch cables and switch ports are verified working, and the link light is absent, the most likely cause is physical damage to the cable—such as a cut, pinch, or break—that interrupts the electrical continuity required for link pulses. A damaged cable prevents the switch and NIC from establishing a link, even if all other components are functional.
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 cable is too long for Cat5e.
Why it's wrong here
Cat5e supports up to 100 meters, so 90 meters is fine.
- ✓
The cable has been cut or damaged.
Why this is correct
A sudden loss of link suggests a physical break. This could be from construction, rodents, or accidental damage.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
The network switch is not powered on.
Why it's wrong here
The technician tested the switch port and found it fine, so the switch is powered.
- ✗
The cable is terminated with the wrong standard.
Why it's wrong here
Wrong termination would cause issues from the start, not suddenly after working.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
A common misconception is that a cable run of 90 meters is too long for Cat5e, but the actual limit is 100 meters, so candidates must remember the exact maximum distance and not assume any run near that limit is automatically faulty.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Ethernet link lights rely on the physical layer (Layer 1) detecting a valid link pulse (e.g., 10/100BASE-T uses normal link pulses, Gigabit uses burst pulses). A break in any of the four twisted pairs—especially pairs 1-2 and 3-6 for 10/100BASE-T—will prevent the link pulse from being received, causing the port to remain in a 'no link' state. In real-world scenarios, cable damage often occurs from accidental cuts during construction, rodent chewing, or repeated bending near termination points.
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.
- →
Cabling — study guide chapter
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Cabling practice questions
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Cabling — This question tests Cabling — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The cable has been cut or damaged. — Since the cable run is 90 meters (within the 100-meter maximum for Cat5e), the patch cables and switch ports are verified working, and the link light is absent, the most likely cause is physical damage to the cable—such as a cut, pinch, or break—that interrupts the electrical continuity required for link pulses. A damaged cable prevents the switch and NIC from establishing a link, even if all other components are functional.
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". 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.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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