WGU D333 ETHICS IN TECHNOLOGY:
200-QUESTION OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM WITH
VERIFIED RATIONALES (2026/2027)
ALREADY GRADED A+ ||
GUARANTEED PASS || NEWEST
Question 1
Which philosophical theory focuses on the consequences of an action, aiming to
provide the greatest good for the greatest number of people?
• A) Deontology
• B) Virtue Ethics
• C) Utilitarianism
• D) Social Contract Theory
Correct Answer: C) Utilitarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that judges the morality of an
action based on its outcomes, specifically the principle of the greatest good for the
greatest number. Deontology focuses on duties and rules, Virtue Ethics on character,
and Social Contract Theory on agreements within society .
Question 2
What is the difference between ethics and morals?
• A) Ethics and morals are the same concept
• B) Ethics reflect a societal code of behavior, whereas morals reflect personal
principles
• C) Ethics reflect personal principles, whereas morals reflect societal codes
• D) Ethics and morals are both personal beliefs
Correct Answer: B) Ethics reflect a societal code of behavior, whereas morals
reflect personal principles
Rationale: Ethics are shared standards of right and wrong within a group or
profession, while morals are an individual's personal principles. This distinction is
fundamental to ethical analysis in technology .
,Question 3
Two programmers disagree about which philosophical theory is best suited for their
autonomous vehicles. One programmer suggests their vehicle should always choose
the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Which philosophical theory
does this stance represent?
• A) Deontology
• B) Utilitarianism
• C) Virtue ethics
• D) Social contract theory
Correct Answer: B) Utilitarianism
Rationale: This stance is a direct application of Utilitarianism, which seeks to
maximize overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people .
Question 4
A tech worker's computer acts abnormally shortly after the worker starts their shift.
The computer is up-to-date on all relevant patches and updates. The installed
antivirus software has not identified any malicious code. During the investigation, the
worker discovers that an attacker compromised the system without any action by the
worker. Which method of attack was likely used?
• A) Trojan horse
• B) Spear phishing
• C) Zero-day exploit
• D) Blended threat
Correct Answer: C) Zero-day exploit
Rationale: A zero-day exploit attacks a previously unknown vulnerability for which
no patch exists, allowing compromise even on fully updated systems. Trojan horses
and spear phishing require user interaction, while a blended threat combines
multiple attack methods .
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?
• A) To regulate the hardware specifications of servers in Europe
• B) To protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens
• C) To establish global patent standards
• D) To provide guidelines for international AI development
Correct Answer: B) To protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens
Rationale: GDPR is an EU regulation that governs data protection and privacy for
individuals within the European Union, giving them more control over their personal
data .
,Question 6
Nadia is a hacktivist who targets oil refining companies. She primarily focuses on
deleting important client information, as well as human resources records. While
Nadia acknowledges that her actions do hurt some people, she justifies it by stating
that it is for the greater good. Which theory best exemplifies Nadia's reasoning?
• A) Egoism
• B) Utilitarianism
• C) Deontology
• D) Virtue Ethics
Correct Answer: B) Utilitarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism justifies actions by their consequences, weighing the
greatest good for the greatest number. Nadia's reasoning that harming some is
acceptable for the greater good reflects utilitarian thinking, even if her actions are
illegal .
Question 7
Which ethical framework is based on moral duties and rules that should be followed
regardless of consequences?
• A) Utilitarianism
• B) Deontology
• C) Virtue Ethics
• D) Consequentialism
Correct Answer: B) Deontology
Rationale: Deontology holds that certain actions are inherently right or wrong based
on moral rules and duties, regardless of their outcomes. This contrasts with
consequentialism (including utilitarianism), which judges actions by their results .
Question 8
A developer creates video games based on real war scenarios and designs characters
that mimic real people from world events. The developer is concerned about the
impact on players' moral character. Which ethical theory does this situation
represent?
• A) Utilitarianism
• B) Deontology
• C) Virtue Ethics
• D) Social Contract Theory
Correct Answer: C) Virtue Ethics
Rationale: Virtue Ethics focuses on the character and moral development of
individuals, considering whether actions promote or diminish virtuous traits. The
, developer's concern about the impact on players' moral character reflects this
theory .
Question 9
An IT company holds itself accountable for how its actions affect its shareholders,
consumers, employees, community, the environment, and suppliers. What is this
company demonstrating?
• A) Corporate Social Responsibility
• B) Legal Compliance
• C) Profit Maximization
• D) Stakeholder Theory
Correct Answer: A) Corporate Social Responsibility
Rationale: CSR refers to a business model where companies voluntarily integrate
social and environmental concerns into their operations, considering stakeholders
beyond shareholders .
Question 10
The marketing department of a financial services institution asks data scientists to
build a consumer profile based on transaction data. Although company lawyers
approve the request to explicitly signal customers with potential gambling addiction
problems, the data scientists refuse to build the profiles. What describes this request?
• A) Legal and ethical
• B) Legal but unethical
• C) Illegal but ethical
• D) Illegal and unethical
Correct Answer: B) Legal but unethical
Rationale: The request may be legal as it complies with regulations, but creating
profiles to single out individuals with gambling problems raises significant ethical
concerns about discrimination and privacy. The data scientists' refusal demonstrates
ethical reasoning .
Question 11
What is the primary ethical concern with AI in decision-making systems?
• A) Cost efficiency
• B) Bias and fairness
• C) Speed of processing
• D) User interface design
Correct Answer: B) Bias and fairness
Rationale: AI systems can perpetuate biases from training data, leading to unfair
200-QUESTION OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT PRACTICE EXAM WITH
VERIFIED RATIONALES (2026/2027)
ALREADY GRADED A+ ||
GUARANTEED PASS || NEWEST
Question 1
Which philosophical theory focuses on the consequences of an action, aiming to
provide the greatest good for the greatest number of people?
• A) Deontology
• B) Virtue Ethics
• C) Utilitarianism
• D) Social Contract Theory
Correct Answer: C) Utilitarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism is a consequentialist theory that judges the morality of an
action based on its outcomes, specifically the principle of the greatest good for the
greatest number. Deontology focuses on duties and rules, Virtue Ethics on character,
and Social Contract Theory on agreements within society .
Question 2
What is the difference between ethics and morals?
• A) Ethics and morals are the same concept
• B) Ethics reflect a societal code of behavior, whereas morals reflect personal
principles
• C) Ethics reflect personal principles, whereas morals reflect societal codes
• D) Ethics and morals are both personal beliefs
Correct Answer: B) Ethics reflect a societal code of behavior, whereas morals
reflect personal principles
Rationale: Ethics are shared standards of right and wrong within a group or
profession, while morals are an individual's personal principles. This distinction is
fundamental to ethical analysis in technology .
,Question 3
Two programmers disagree about which philosophical theory is best suited for their
autonomous vehicles. One programmer suggests their vehicle should always choose
the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Which philosophical theory
does this stance represent?
• A) Deontology
• B) Utilitarianism
• C) Virtue ethics
• D) Social contract theory
Correct Answer: B) Utilitarianism
Rationale: This stance is a direct application of Utilitarianism, which seeks to
maximize overall happiness or well-being for the greatest number of people .
Question 4
A tech worker's computer acts abnormally shortly after the worker starts their shift.
The computer is up-to-date on all relevant patches and updates. The installed
antivirus software has not identified any malicious code. During the investigation, the
worker discovers that an attacker compromised the system without any action by the
worker. Which method of attack was likely used?
• A) Trojan horse
• B) Spear phishing
• C) Zero-day exploit
• D) Blended threat
Correct Answer: C) Zero-day exploit
Rationale: A zero-day exploit attacks a previously unknown vulnerability for which
no patch exists, allowing compromise even on fully updated systems. Trojan horses
and spear phishing require user interaction, while a blended threat combines
multiple attack methods .
Question 5
What is the primary purpose of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)?
• A) To regulate the hardware specifications of servers in Europe
• B) To protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens
• C) To establish global patent standards
• D) To provide guidelines for international AI development
Correct Answer: B) To protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens
Rationale: GDPR is an EU regulation that governs data protection and privacy for
individuals within the European Union, giving them more control over their personal
data .
,Question 6
Nadia is a hacktivist who targets oil refining companies. She primarily focuses on
deleting important client information, as well as human resources records. While
Nadia acknowledges that her actions do hurt some people, she justifies it by stating
that it is for the greater good. Which theory best exemplifies Nadia's reasoning?
• A) Egoism
• B) Utilitarianism
• C) Deontology
• D) Virtue Ethics
Correct Answer: B) Utilitarianism
Rationale: Utilitarianism justifies actions by their consequences, weighing the
greatest good for the greatest number. Nadia's reasoning that harming some is
acceptable for the greater good reflects utilitarian thinking, even if her actions are
illegal .
Question 7
Which ethical framework is based on moral duties and rules that should be followed
regardless of consequences?
• A) Utilitarianism
• B) Deontology
• C) Virtue Ethics
• D) Consequentialism
Correct Answer: B) Deontology
Rationale: Deontology holds that certain actions are inherently right or wrong based
on moral rules and duties, regardless of their outcomes. This contrasts with
consequentialism (including utilitarianism), which judges actions by their results .
Question 8
A developer creates video games based on real war scenarios and designs characters
that mimic real people from world events. The developer is concerned about the
impact on players' moral character. Which ethical theory does this situation
represent?
• A) Utilitarianism
• B) Deontology
• C) Virtue Ethics
• D) Social Contract Theory
Correct Answer: C) Virtue Ethics
Rationale: Virtue Ethics focuses on the character and moral development of
individuals, considering whether actions promote or diminish virtuous traits. The
, developer's concern about the impact on players' moral character reflects this
theory .
Question 9
An IT company holds itself accountable for how its actions affect its shareholders,
consumers, employees, community, the environment, and suppliers. What is this
company demonstrating?
• A) Corporate Social Responsibility
• B) Legal Compliance
• C) Profit Maximization
• D) Stakeholder Theory
Correct Answer: A) Corporate Social Responsibility
Rationale: CSR refers to a business model where companies voluntarily integrate
social and environmental concerns into their operations, considering stakeholders
beyond shareholders .
Question 10
The marketing department of a financial services institution asks data scientists to
build a consumer profile based on transaction data. Although company lawyers
approve the request to explicitly signal customers with potential gambling addiction
problems, the data scientists refuse to build the profiles. What describes this request?
• A) Legal and ethical
• B) Legal but unethical
• C) Illegal but ethical
• D) Illegal and unethical
Correct Answer: B) Legal but unethical
Rationale: The request may be legal as it complies with regulations, but creating
profiles to single out individuals with gambling problems raises significant ethical
concerns about discrimination and privacy. The data scientists' refusal demonstrates
ethical reasoning .
Question 11
What is the primary ethical concern with AI in decision-making systems?
• A) Cost efficiency
• B) Bias and fairness
• C) Speed of processing
• D) User interface design
Correct Answer: B) Bias and fairness
Rationale: AI systems can perpetuate biases from training data, leading to unfair
