Most single-mode fiber ends are terminated onto factory-made _________ and spliced to the fiber cable.

The correct response identifies pigtails as the factory-made components to which most single-mode fiber ends are terminated and subsequently spliced to the fiber cable. Pigtails are short lengths of fiber optic cable that have a connector on one end and a stripped end on the other. This design allows them to be easily spliced to the fiber cable for a durable and reliable connection in a fiber optic network.

Pigtails facilitate both the connection and maintenance of fiber optic systems because they can be pre-terminated and tested at the factory, ensuring that the connection meets quality standards before being incorporated into a larger network. By using pigtails, the installation process is simplified, and the risk of errors during termination is reduced.

In contrast, other choices like PC connectors, jumpers, and SC connectors refer to specific types of terminations or additional components within a fiber optic system but do not specifically address the pre-fabricated nature that pigtails offer for single-mode fibers. PC connectors denote a polished connector type, while SC connectors specify a particular design of the connector, but these terms do not encompass the broader practice of using pigtails for splicing in single-mode fiber installations. Jumpers are generally used to connect different pieces of equipment rather than directly