- A
A USB-C to DisplayPort adapter.
Why wrong: DisplayPort is not compatible with HDMI without an active adapter, and the TV only has HDMI.
- B
A USB-C to HDMI adapter.
This is correct; it converts the USB-C video signal to HDMI for the TV.
- C
A USB-C to VGA adapter.
Why wrong: VGA is analog and does not support 4K resolution, and the TV lacks VGA input.
- D
A USB-C to Ethernet adapter.
Why wrong: Ethernet is for network connectivity, not video output.
Question 68 of 1,020
USB-C to HDMI Adapter for Laptop to TV
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of mobile device accessories. 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 wants to connect their laptop to a 4K TV for a movie marathon. They have a USB-C port on the laptop but the TV only has HDMI. Which accessory is required?
Quick Answer
The correct accessory is a USB-C to HDMI adapter. This is necessary because the USB-C port on the laptop uses a different physical connector and signaling protocol than the HDMI input on the TV; the adapter converts the digital video signal from USB-C’s alternate mode into the HDMI standard that the TV can accept, enabling 4K video output. On the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam, this scenario tests your knowledge of display interfaces and adapter types, often appearing in troubleshooting or connectivity questions where a user needs to bridge incompatible ports. A common trap is confusing a simple USB-C to USB-A adapter, which does not carry video, with the correct video-capable adapter. Remember the memory tip: “C to H, video to the TV”—if the source is USB-C and the display is HDMI, you need a dedicated adapter that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C.
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 USB-C to HDMI adapter.
The correct answer is B because USB-C supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which allows video signals to be transmitted over the USB-C connector. A USB-C to HDMI adapter converts the DisplayPort signal from the laptop into an HDMI signal compatible with the TV, enabling 4K video output. This is the standard solution for connecting a USB-C laptop to an HDMI-only display.
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-C to DisplayPort adapter.
Why it's wrong here
DisplayPort is not compatible with HDMI without an active adapter, and the TV only has HDMI.
- ✓
A USB-C to HDMI adapter.
Why this is correct
This is correct; it converts the USB-C video signal to HDMI for the TV.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
A USB-C to VGA adapter.
Why it's wrong here
VGA is analog and does not support 4K resolution, and the TV lacks VGA input.
- ✗
A USB-C to Ethernet adapter.
Why it's wrong here
Ethernet is for network connectivity, not video output.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The 220-1201 exam often tests the misconception that any USB-C adapter can carry video, but the trap here is that only USB-C ports supporting DisplayPort Alternate Mode (or Thunderbolt 3/4) can output video, and candidates may incorrectly choose a DisplayPort adapter thinking it will work with an HDMI TV via a separate cable.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Ethernet is for network connectivity, not video output.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
USB-C to HDMI adapters leverage DisplayPort Alternate Mode, where the USB-C connector's SuperSpeed lanes carry DisplayPort signals that are then converted to HDMI using a protocol translator chip (e.g., from Parade Technologies or Analogix). This conversion supports HDMI 2.0 for 4K at 60Hz, but note that the laptop must support DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C; some USB-C ports are data-only or power-only, which would prevent video output. In real-world scenarios, users may also need to ensure the adapter is HDMI 2.0 compliant for full 4K support, as older HDMI 1.4 adapters limit resolution to 4K at 30Hz.
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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Mobile Device Accessories — study guide chapter
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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 USB-C to HDMI adapter. — The correct answer is B because USB-C supports DisplayPort Alternate Mode, which allows video signals to be transmitted over the USB-C connector. A USB-C to HDMI adapter converts the DisplayPort signal from the laptop into an HDMI signal compatible with the TV, enabling 4K video output. This is the standard solution for connecting a USB-C laptop to an HDMI-only display.
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.
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 →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on 220-1201
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A customer wants to use their tablet as a secondary display for their laptop while traveling. They need a solution that does not require a Wi-Fi network. Which accessory should you recommend?
easy- A.A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse set.
- ✓ B.A USB-C to HDMI adapter.
- C.A wireless display adapter like Miracast.
- D.A portable battery pack.
Why B: A USB-C to HDMI adapter allows you to connect the tablet directly to the laptop via a wired video connection, enabling it to function as a secondary display without relying on any Wi-Fi network. This solution uses the DisplayPort Alt Mode over USB-C, which is a standard feature on many modern tablets and laptops, providing a stable, low-latency video signal.
Variation 2. A customer wants to use a portable projector with their smartphone for impromptu presentations. The smartphone has a USB-C port that supports DisplayPort Alt Mode. Which accessory will enable this connection?
medium- A.A USB-C to USB-A adapter
- ✓ B.A USB-C to HDMI adapter
- C.A Bluetooth audio receiver
- D.A wireless HDMI dongle
Why B: The smartphone's USB-C port supports DisplayPort Alt Mode, which allows it to output a video signal over the USB-C connection. A USB-C to HDMI adapter converts this native DisplayPort signal into HDMI, enabling the portable projector to receive the video input. This is the standard accessory for connecting a USB-C device with DisplayPort Alt Mode to an HDMI display.
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Last reviewed: Jul 4, 2026
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