- A
The HDMI cable is defective.
Why wrong: The user already tried a different cable, so a defective cable is unlikely.
- B
The monitor's refresh rate is set too low.
Why wrong: Low refresh rate causes flicker or motion blur, not static blurry text.
- C
The display resolution is set below the monitor's native resolution.
A non-native resolution forces the monitor to scale, causing blurriness. Setting it to native resolution fixes this.
- D
The graphics driver is corrupted.
Why wrong: A corrupted driver would likely cause more severe issues like artifacts or no display, not just blurry text.
Question 33 of 1,020
220-1201 Display Devices Practice Question
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of display devices. 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 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?
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 display resolution is set below the monitor's native resolution.
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.
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 defective.
Why it's wrong here
The user already tried a different cable, so a defective cable is unlikely.
- ✗
The monitor's refresh rate is set too low.
Why it's wrong here
Low refresh rate causes flicker or motion blur, not static blurry text.
- ✓
The display resolution is set below the monitor's native resolution.
Why this is correct
A non-native resolution forces the monitor to scale, causing blurriness. Setting it to native resolution fixes this.
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 graphics driver is corrupted.
Why it's wrong here
A corrupted driver would likely cause more severe issues like artifacts or no display, not just blurry text.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse a low refresh rate with resolution-related blur, but refresh rate affects motion smoothness, not static image sharpness, while resolution mismatch directly causes the described symptom.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
LCD monitors have a fixed grid of pixels; when the input resolution does not match the native resolution, the monitor's scaler must interpolate the image, which reduces sharpness and creates a soft, blurry appearance. This is especially noticeable with text because anti-aliasing and subpixel rendering are optimized for the native resolution. In real-world scenarios, users often set a lower resolution to make UI elements larger, but the correct approach is to keep native resolution and adjust scaling in the OS (e.g., Windows Display Settings > Scale and Layout).
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
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Display Devices practice questions
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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 display resolution is set below the monitor's native resolution. — 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.
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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