- A
Fiber-optic
Why wrong: Fiber is buried underground and not affected by rain.
- B
Cable broadband
Why wrong: Cable is also underground and not typically affected by rain.
- C
Satellite
Satellite signals can be disrupted by heavy rain, known as rain fade.
- D
DSL
Why wrong: DSL uses phone lines and is not affected by rain.
Question 342 of 1,020
Satellite Internet Rain Fade
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of internet connection types. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 internet connection drops out frequently, especially during rainstorms. They have a dish mounted on their roof. Which connection type are they most likely using?
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 satellite internet, as the symptom of frequent dropouts during rainstorms is a classic indicator of rain fade. This occurs because heavy rain attenuates the microwave signals traveling between the user’s dish and the orbiting satellite, causing enough signal loss to disrupt the connection. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your ability to distinguish connection types by their environmental vulnerabilities; a common trap is confusing satellite with fixed wireless, but satellite is uniquely susceptible to weather between the dish and the sky, whereas fiber, cable, and DSL are underground or use wired lines. To remember this, think of the mnemonic “Rain Drops Signal” for Satellite—when rain drops, the signal drops.
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
✓
Satellite
Satellite internet (Option C) is the correct answer because the user's dish is mounted on the roof, and the connection drops out during rainstorms—a phenomenon known as 'rain fade.' Rain attenuates the Ku-band or Ka-band radio frequencies (typically 12–18 GHz or 26–40 GHz) used by satellite systems, causing signal loss. Fiber-optic, cable, and DSL are terrestrial connections that do not use a roof-mounted dish and are not significantly affected by rain.
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.
- ✗
Fiber-optic
Why it's wrong here
Fiber is buried underground and not affected by rain.
- ✗
Cable broadband
Why it's wrong here
Cable is also underground and not typically affected by rain.
- ✓
Satellite
Why this is correct
Satellite signals can be disrupted by heavy rain, known as rain fade.
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.
- ✗
DSL
Why it's wrong here
DSL uses phone lines and is not affected by rain.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
CompTIA A+ often tests the distinction between 'rain fade' affecting satellite connections versus other connection types that are weather-resistant, leading candidates to mistakenly choose cable or DSL because they associate 'dish' with TV rather than internet.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Rain fade occurs when raindrops absorb and scatter electromagnetic waves, particularly at frequencies above 10 GHz. Satellite internet providers like HughesNet and Viasat use spot beams and adaptive coding and modulation (ACM) to mitigate this, but heavy rain can still cause packet loss or complete disconnection. The dish's parabolic reflector focuses the signal onto a low-noise block downconverter (LNB), which converts the high-frequency signal to a lower intermediate frequency (e.g., 950–2150 MHz) for the modem.
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.
- →
Internet Connection Types — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Internet Connection Types 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?
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: Satellite — Satellite internet (Option C) is the correct answer because the user's dish is mounted on the roof, and the connection drops out during rainstorms—a phenomenon known as 'rain fade.' Rain attenuates the Ku-band or Ka-band radio frequencies (typically 12–18 GHz or 26–40 GHz) used by satellite systems, causing signal loss. Fiber-optic, cable, and DSL are terrestrial connections that do not use a roof-mounted dish and are not significantly affected by rain.
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.
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 →
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.