- A
A USB-A to USB-C cable.
Why wrong: This cable would allow charging, but USB-A does not support Power Delivery, so the laptop would charge very slowly or not at all.
- B
A USB-C to USB-C cable.
Why wrong: This cable is needed for PD, but the power bank only has USB-A, so this cable cannot be used.
- C
A power bank that supports USB-C Power Delivery output.
To use USB-C PD, the power bank must have a USB-C port that supports PD output. The current power bank lacks this, so a new power bank is required.
- D
A USB-C to HDMI adapter.
Why wrong: This adapter is for video output, not charging, and would not help with power delivery.
Question 100 of 1,020
Power Bank USB-A to USB-C Laptop Charging: Need USB-C PD Output
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device accessories. 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 user has a laptop that supports USB-C Power Delivery and wants to charge it using a portable power bank while on a flight. The power bank has a USB-A output. Which additional accessory is required?
Quick Answer
The correct answer is a power bank that supports USB-C Power Delivery output. This is because USB-A ports cannot deliver the higher voltage and current negotiation required by Power Delivery, which is a protocol exclusive to USB-C connections. Even with a USB-A to USB-C cable, the laptop will only receive standard 5V charging, not the 20V or higher needed for efficient laptop charging. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding of power specifications and connector capabilities, often appearing as a trap where test-takers mistakenly choose a USB-C to USB-C cable without realizing the power bank lacks a USB-C port. A common memory tip: “USB-A can’t PD—check the port, not just the cable.”
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
✓
A power bank that supports USB-C Power Delivery output.
Option C is correct because the laptop requires USB-C Power Delivery (PD) to negotiate a charging voltage higher than the standard 5V. A power bank with only a USB-A output cannot provide the PD protocol negotiation over USB-A, as PD is a feature of the USB-C connector and its configuration channel (CC) lines. Therefore, a power bank that explicitly supports USB-C PD output is necessary to deliver the higher wattage (e.g., 20V/3A) that the laptop expects for charging.
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.
- ✗
A USB-A to USB-C cable.
Why it's wrong here
This cable would allow charging, but USB-A does not support Power Delivery, so the laptop would charge very slowly or not at all.
- ✗
A USB-C to USB-C cable.
Why it's wrong here
This cable is needed for PD, but the power bank only has USB-A, so this cable cannot be used.
- ✓
A power bank that supports USB-C Power Delivery output.
Why this is correct
To use USB-C PD, the power bank must have a USB-C port that supports PD output. The current power bank lacks this, so a new power bank is required.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A USB-C to HDMI adapter.
Why it's wrong here
This adapter is for video output, not charging, and would not help with power delivery.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that any USB-C cable or adapter will enable charging, when in reality the power source must also support the USB-C PD protocol to deliver the higher voltages required by laptops.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This adapter is for video output, not charging, and would not help with power delivery.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
USB Power Delivery relies on the CC (Configuration Channel) pin in the USB-C connector to negotiate voltage and current profiles (e.g., 5V, 9V, 15V, 20V) between source and sink. USB-A ports lack this pin entirely, so even with a high-current USB-A charger, the laptop cannot request a PD profile and will fall back to USB Battery Charging (BC 1.2) at a maximum of 5V/1.5A or 5V/2.4A, which is far below the 45W–100W typical for laptop charging. In a real-world scenario, a user might see the laptop slowly discharging even while plugged into a USB-A power bank, because the power bank cannot supply the negotiated voltage the laptop needs.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Mobile Device Accessories — This question tests Mobile Device Accessories — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: A power bank that supports USB-C Power Delivery output. — Option C is correct because the laptop requires USB-C Power Delivery (PD) to negotiate a charging voltage higher than the standard 5V. A power bank with only a USB-A output cannot provide the PD protocol negotiation over USB-A, as PD is a feature of the USB-C connector and its configuration channel (CC) lines. Therefore, a power bank that explicitly supports USB-C PD output is necessary to deliver the higher wattage (e.g., 20V/3A) that the laptop expects for charging.
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.
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
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.
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