- A
The ONT is malfunctioning.
Why wrong: The ONT appears to be working since the connection is active; a malfunction would likely cause no connectivity.
- B
The Cat5e cable is too long for 1 Gbps.
Why wrong: Cat5e supports 1 Gbps up to 100 meters, so 100 meters is within spec and should not cause slowdowns.
- C
The router is not configured for the correct speed.
Why wrong: Router configuration issues are possible but less likely than a physical cable problem; the symptom points to a physical layer issue.
- D
The Ethernet cable is damaged or has a bad termination.
A damaged or poorly terminated cable can cause packet loss and speed degradation, even if the link appears active.
Question 492 of 1,020
FTTH Slow Speed: Ethernet Cable Issues
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of internet connection types. 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 fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet connection works but is slower than expected. The technician finds that the ONT (Optical Network Terminal) is connected to the router via a 100-meter Cat5e cable. 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.
Quick Answer
The answer is a damaged or poorly terminated Ethernet cable. While Cat5e cable is officially rated for 100 meters at 1 Gbps, meaning the 100-meter run itself is not the issue, a physical fault like a kink, pinch, or a bad RJ45 termination introduces impedance mismatches and packet loss, which forces the link to renegotiate to a lower speed or causes excessive retransmissions. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this question tests your understanding that distance limits are a maximum, not a guarantee, and that physical layer problems are the most common cause of a fiber-to-the-home slow Ethernet cable issue. The trap is assuming the distance is the culprit, but the exam wants you to recognize that a cable can be within spec yet still fail due to damage. Memory tip: think “100 meters is fine, but a bad crimp kills the line.”
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 Ethernet cable is damaged or has a bad termination.
The most likely issue is a damaged or poorly terminated Cat5e cable. A 100-meter Cat5e cable is within the maximum length specification for 1 Gbps (100 meters), so the length alone is not the problem. However, a damaged cable or bad termination can cause excessive packet loss, CRC errors, or auto-negotiation failures, resulting in slower throughput even though the link appears to be up.
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 ONT is malfunctioning.
Why it's wrong here
The ONT appears to be working since the connection is active; a malfunction would likely cause no connectivity.
- ✗
The Cat5e cable is too long for 1 Gbps.
Why it's wrong here
Cat5e supports 1 Gbps up to 100 meters, so 100 meters is within spec and should not cause slowdowns.
- ✗
The router is not configured for the correct speed.
Why it's wrong here
Router configuration issues are possible but less likely than a physical cable problem; the symptom points to a physical layer issue.
- ✓
The Ethernet cable is damaged or has a bad termination.
Why this is correct
A damaged or poorly terminated cable can cause packet loss and speed degradation, even if the link appears active.
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.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume a 100-meter Cat5e cable exceeds the maximum length for 1 Gbps, when in fact Cat5e supports 1 Gbps up to exactly 100 meters, so the length is not the problem—the cable condition or termination is the more likely culprit.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, a damaged or poorly terminated Ethernet cable can cause high levels of FCS (Frame Check Sequence) errors and runts, forcing the switch or router to retransmit frames, which reduces effective throughput. In real-world scenarios, a technician might use a cable tester to verify continuity and wiremap, or check interface counters on the router for CRC errors to confirm the issue. Even a single broken pair or a partial short can cause the link to fall back from 1 Gbps to 100 Mbps (using only two pairs) without a complete link drop.
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.
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this 220-1201 question test?
Internet Connection Types — This question tests Internet Connection Types — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The Ethernet cable is damaged or has a bad termination. — The most likely issue is a damaged or poorly terminated Cat5e cable. A 100-meter Cat5e cable is within the maximum length specification for 1 Gbps (100 meters), so the length alone is not the problem. However, a damaged cable or bad termination can cause excessive packet loss, CRC errors, or auto-negotiation failures, resulting in slower throughput even though the link appears to be up.
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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