1|Page
WGU D664 LEARNERS AND LEARNING SCIENCE |
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT | EXPLORE NEW 150 QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE.
1. A teacher notices that students can recall information immediately after a lesson
but struggle to retrieve the same information several weeks later. Which
instructional strategy would most directly strengthen long-term retention?
A. Presenting the same information in one extended lecture
B. Increasing the amount of information presented during each lesson
C. Using retrieval practice at increasingly spaced intervals
D. Allowing students to reread their notes without attempting recall
Answer: C
2. A student studies vocabulary for three hours the night before an examination and
performs well the following morning but forgets much of the material several
weeks later. Which learning principle best explains why this approach is less
effective for long-term retention?
A. Spaced practice
B. Classical conditioning
C. Observational learning
D. Accommodation
Answer: A
3. A teacher alternates practice among fractions, decimals, percentages, and ratios
instead of having students complete an entire worksheet on one topic before
moving to the next. Which strategy is being used?
A. Massed practice
B. Interleaving
C. Direct reinforcement
D. Cognitive dissonance
Answer: B
,2|Page
4. A teacher deliberately asks students to solve a problem that is slightly more
challenging than the examples they have already mastered and provides
appropriate support when needed. Which learning principle is most evident?
A. Desirable difficulty
B. Classical conditioning
C. Fixed mindset
D. Sensory adaptation
Answer: A
5. A student is asked to explain why a mathematical procedure works rather than
simply memorize the steps. Which cognitive process is most directly encouraged?
A. Deep processing
B. Passive rehearsal
C. Stimulus generalization
D. Operant extinction
Answer: A
6. Which situation best demonstrates metacognition?
A. A student memorizes a list of vocabulary terms.
B. A student receives a reward for completing homework.
C. A student evaluates which study strategy helped them understand a difficult
concept and changes strategies accordingly.
D. A student copies an example from the board.
Answer: C
7. A teacher asks students to predict which study strategy will work best, monitor
their understanding during studying, and evaluate their results afterward. Which
concept is most directly represented?
A. Metacognition
B. Classical conditioning
C. Assimilation
D. Observational conditioning
Answer: A
,3|Page
8. A student believes intelligence is an unchangeable trait and avoids challenging
assignments because failure would demonstrate a lack of ability. Which mindset is
most evident?
A. Growth mindset
B. Fixed mindset
C. Mastery orientation
D. Self-regulated learning
Answer: B
9. A teacher responds to a student's failed attempt by emphasizing that the student
can improve through effective strategies, effort, feedback, and continued practice.
Which principle is most directly supported?
A. Growth mindset
B. Fixed intelligence
C. Classical conditioning
D. Cognitive overload
Answer: A
10. A teacher tells students that a challenging assignment is intended to help them
develop a skill that will be useful in their future careers. Which learning principle
is most directly supported?
A. Motivation and purpose
B. Operant extinction
C. Conservation
D. Sensory exploration
Answer: A
11. Which situation best demonstrates intrinsic motivation?
A. A student completes an assignment to earn extra credit.
B. A student studies because the teacher threatens a consequence for poor
performance.
C. A student explores an unfamiliar scientific topic because they genuinely enjoy
understanding how it works.
D. A student completes homework to receive a prize.
, 4|Page
Answer: C
12. Which situation best demonstrates extrinsic motivation?
A. A learner reads about astronomy because of personal curiosity.
B. A learner practices piano because mastering the instrument is personally
satisfying.
C. A learner completes additional practice because the teacher offers a reward for
completion.
D. A learner explores a new topic for enjoyment.
Answer: C
13. A teacher establishes challenging academic expectations while providing
scaffolding, feedback, and additional support to help students reach those
expectations. Which learning principle is best represented?
A. High expectations with appropriate support
B. Reduced cognitive engagement
C. Fixed mindset
D. Passive learning
Answer: A
14. A student who previously avoided difficult mathematics begins attempting
challenging problems after receiving consistent encouragement and useful
feedback. Which factor most directly contributed to this change?
A. Increased sense of competence and supportive learning environment
B. Decreased academic expectations
C. Elimination of productive struggle
D. Classical conditioning alone
Answer: A
15. A teacher intentionally creates a classroom where students feel respected,
connected to peers, and safe when making mistakes. Why can this environment
support learning?
A. Psychological safety can encourage students to participate, take appropriate
intellectual risks, and engage more fully in learning.
WGU D664 LEARNERS AND LEARNING SCIENCE |
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT | EXPLORE NEW 150 QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATE.
1. A teacher notices that students can recall information immediately after a lesson
but struggle to retrieve the same information several weeks later. Which
instructional strategy would most directly strengthen long-term retention?
A. Presenting the same information in one extended lecture
B. Increasing the amount of information presented during each lesson
C. Using retrieval practice at increasingly spaced intervals
D. Allowing students to reread their notes without attempting recall
Answer: C
2. A student studies vocabulary for three hours the night before an examination and
performs well the following morning but forgets much of the material several
weeks later. Which learning principle best explains why this approach is less
effective for long-term retention?
A. Spaced practice
B. Classical conditioning
C. Observational learning
D. Accommodation
Answer: A
3. A teacher alternates practice among fractions, decimals, percentages, and ratios
instead of having students complete an entire worksheet on one topic before
moving to the next. Which strategy is being used?
A. Massed practice
B. Interleaving
C. Direct reinforcement
D. Cognitive dissonance
Answer: B
,2|Page
4. A teacher deliberately asks students to solve a problem that is slightly more
challenging than the examples they have already mastered and provides
appropriate support when needed. Which learning principle is most evident?
A. Desirable difficulty
B. Classical conditioning
C. Fixed mindset
D. Sensory adaptation
Answer: A
5. A student is asked to explain why a mathematical procedure works rather than
simply memorize the steps. Which cognitive process is most directly encouraged?
A. Deep processing
B. Passive rehearsal
C. Stimulus generalization
D. Operant extinction
Answer: A
6. Which situation best demonstrates metacognition?
A. A student memorizes a list of vocabulary terms.
B. A student receives a reward for completing homework.
C. A student evaluates which study strategy helped them understand a difficult
concept and changes strategies accordingly.
D. A student copies an example from the board.
Answer: C
7. A teacher asks students to predict which study strategy will work best, monitor
their understanding during studying, and evaluate their results afterward. Which
concept is most directly represented?
A. Metacognition
B. Classical conditioning
C. Assimilation
D. Observational conditioning
Answer: A
,3|Page
8. A student believes intelligence is an unchangeable trait and avoids challenging
assignments because failure would demonstrate a lack of ability. Which mindset is
most evident?
A. Growth mindset
B. Fixed mindset
C. Mastery orientation
D. Self-regulated learning
Answer: B
9. A teacher responds to a student's failed attempt by emphasizing that the student
can improve through effective strategies, effort, feedback, and continued practice.
Which principle is most directly supported?
A. Growth mindset
B. Fixed intelligence
C. Classical conditioning
D. Cognitive overload
Answer: A
10. A teacher tells students that a challenging assignment is intended to help them
develop a skill that will be useful in their future careers. Which learning principle
is most directly supported?
A. Motivation and purpose
B. Operant extinction
C. Conservation
D. Sensory exploration
Answer: A
11. Which situation best demonstrates intrinsic motivation?
A. A student completes an assignment to earn extra credit.
B. A student studies because the teacher threatens a consequence for poor
performance.
C. A student explores an unfamiliar scientific topic because they genuinely enjoy
understanding how it works.
D. A student completes homework to receive a prize.
, 4|Page
Answer: C
12. Which situation best demonstrates extrinsic motivation?
A. A learner reads about astronomy because of personal curiosity.
B. A learner practices piano because mastering the instrument is personally
satisfying.
C. A learner completes additional practice because the teacher offers a reward for
completion.
D. A learner explores a new topic for enjoyment.
Answer: C
13. A teacher establishes challenging academic expectations while providing
scaffolding, feedback, and additional support to help students reach those
expectations. Which learning principle is best represented?
A. High expectations with appropriate support
B. Reduced cognitive engagement
C. Fixed mindset
D. Passive learning
Answer: A
14. A student who previously avoided difficult mathematics begins attempting
challenging problems after receiving consistent encouragement and useful
feedback. Which factor most directly contributed to this change?
A. Increased sense of competence and supportive learning environment
B. Decreased academic expectations
C. Elimination of productive struggle
D. Classical conditioning alone
Answer: A
15. A teacher intentionally creates a classroom where students feel respected,
connected to peers, and safe when making mistakes. Why can this environment
support learning?
A. Psychological safety can encourage students to participate, take appropriate
intellectual risks, and engage more fully in learning.
