220-1101 Question 20
Single answerAccessoriesA user wants to make hands-free video calls from a laptop while traveling. The laptop has only USB-C ports and a 3.5 mm combo audio jack. The user already has a wired headset with separate 3.5 mm microphone and headphone plugs. The technician needs to recommend the most practical accessory so the headset can be used for both audio input and output on the laptop without replacing the headset. Which accessory should the technician recommend?
- A
A 3.5 mm Y-adapter that combines separate microphone and headphone plugs into a single 4-pole headset plug
- B
A USB-C to HDMI adapter so the headset can be connected through an external monitor
- C
A 3.5 mm inline volume attenuator to reduce feedback during calls
- D
A TRS extension cable to increase the reach of the existing headset plugs
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best answer is the 3.5 mm Y-adapter that combines separate microphone and headphone plugs into a single 4-pole TRRS headset plug. In A+ Core 1, candidates are expected to understand common laptop and mobile accessories and how they affect compatibility. Modern laptops frequently use a combo audio jack, while many desktop-style wired headsets have two separate 3.5 mm connectors: one for headphones and one for the microphone. A proper headset adapter resolves that mismatch without replacing the headset. This aligns with standard audio connector best practices: TRS is commonly used for stereo headphones, while TRRS adds an additional conductor for microphone support on combo headset jacks. Manufacturer documentation for laptops and headset accessories commonly specifies whether a device requires a CTIA-style TRRS headset connection, so verifying jack type and adapter compatibility is a recommended step before purchase or deployment.
- A. Correct.
Correct. Many laptops use a single 3.5 mm combo audio jack that supports both headphones and microphone through a 4-pole TRRS connector. A headset splitter/combiner designed to merge separate headphone and microphone 3.5 mm plugs into one compatible TRRS plug is the appropriate accessory. This is a common real-world solution when using older PC headsets with modern laptops.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. HDMI carries digital audio and video to displays, but it is not a practical method for attaching an analog wired headset to the laptop. Even if a monitor has audio features, this does not solve the issue of combining separate analog microphone and headphone plugs for use with the laptop's combo jack.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. An inline volume attenuator only adjusts signal level. It does not convert or combine separate microphone and headphone connections into the single headset connection required by the laptop. Someone might choose this if they are thinking generally about call quality, but it does not address compatibility.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A standard TRS extension cable only extends an existing connection and does not combine separate microphone and headphone plugs into a single compatible connector. In addition, using the wrong cable type can prevent the microphone from functioning altogether.