WGU D169 OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT — COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
(2025/2026)
Introduction
The WGU D169 Objective Assessment evaluates foundational academic skills essential
for success in higher education, focusing on effective communication and critical
thinking. This course develops proficiency in academic writing, critical reading, and
analytical reasoning, preparing students for rigorous scholarly work. Key themes include
academic writing foundations, clarity and organization, critical reading and evaluation,
evidence and source integration, grammar and syntax, rhetorical purpose, audience
awareness, and argument development. This study guide, designed for the 2025/2026
academic year, provides original, scenario-based questions with detailed explanations to
ensure complete mastery of D169 competencies, formatted cleanly in Markdown.
Question 1
Which sentence in a paragraph best represents a thesis statement?
A. Many studies show social media impacts mental health.
B. This paper examines social media’s effects on anxiety and depression.
C. Teenagers spend over 7 hours daily on social media platforms.
D. Solutions include limiting screen time and promoting mindfulness.
Correct Answer: B — This paper examines social media’s effects on anxiety and
depression.
Explanation: A thesis statement articulates the main argument or purpose of a paper.
Option B clearly states the paper’s focus and scope. A (evidence), C (fact), and D
(solution) support the thesis but do not serve as the central claim.
Question 2
A student paraphrases a source but omits quotation marks around a verbatim phrase.
This is an example of:
A. Proper citation
B. Plagiarism
C. Effective summarizing
D. Accurate quotation
Correct Answer: B — Plagiarism
Explanation: Using a source’s exact words without quotation marks, even with a citation,
is plagiarism, as it misrepresents the words as the student’s own. Proper citation (A),
summarizing (C), and quotation (D) require correct attribution and formatting.
,Question 3
Which transition improves coherence between these sentences: “Renewable energy
reduces emissions. Solar panels are costly to install.”
A. For example
B. However
C. In addition
D. Therefore
Correct Answer: B — However
Explanation: “However” signals a contrast between the benefit (reduced emissions) and
the drawback (cost), improving logical flow. “For example” (A) and “In addition” (C)
suggest continuation, while “Therefore” (D) implies causation, which is incorrect.
Question 4
In a source, the author claims, “All diets are ineffective without exercise.” This is an
example of:
A. A logical fallacy
B. A credible claim
C. An absolute statement
D. A statistical fact
Correct Answer: C — An absolute statement
Explanation: The use of “all” makes this an absolute statement, lacking nuance. It’s not
inherently a fallacy (A) without context, not necessarily credible (B) without evidence,
and not statistical (D).
Question 5
Which sentence demonstrates academic tone?
A. I totally believe renewable energy is the best solution ever!
B. Renewable energy offers sustainable benefits, supported by research.
C. Yo, wind turbines are super cool for the environment.
D. Fossil fuels are lame compared to solar power.
Correct Answer: B — Renewable energy offers sustainable benefits, supported by
research.
Explanation: Academic tone is formal, objective, and evidence-based, as in B. Options A,
C, and D use informal language, slang, or emotional bias, which are inappropriate.
Question 6
A paragraph lacks a topic sentence. What is the BEST revision strategy?
, A. Add a concluding sentence
B. Include a sentence stating the main idea
C. Remove supporting details
D. Add more evidence
Correct Answer: B — Include a sentence stating the main idea
Explanation: A topic sentence introduces the paragraph’s main idea, providing focus. A
concluding sentence (A) summarizes, removing details (C) weakens support, and adding
evidence (D) doesn’t address the missing focus.
Question 7
Which source is most credible for a paper on climate change?
A. A blog post by an anonymous writer
B. A peer-reviewed article in a scientific journal
C. A social media influencer’s video
D. A news opinion column
Correct Answer: B — A peer-reviewed article in a scientific journal
Explanation: Peer-reviewed articles undergo rigorous expert scrutiny, ensuring
credibility. Blogs (A), influencer videos (C), and opinion columns (D) often lack objectivity
or verification.
Question 8
Which sentence contains a comma splice?
A. I studied for hours, and I passed the exam.
B. I studied for hours, I passed the exam.
C. I studied for hours; I passed the exam.
D. I studied for hours because I wanted to pass.
Correct Answer: B — I studied for hours, I passed the exam.
Explanation: A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a
comma (B). A (conjunction), C (semicolon), and D (dependent clause) are grammatically
correct.
Question 9
A writer claims, “Since my friend lost weight, this diet works for everyone.” This is an
example of:
A. A strong argument
B. A hasty generalization
C. A credible source
(2025/2026)
Introduction
The WGU D169 Objective Assessment evaluates foundational academic skills essential
for success in higher education, focusing on effective communication and critical
thinking. This course develops proficiency in academic writing, critical reading, and
analytical reasoning, preparing students for rigorous scholarly work. Key themes include
academic writing foundations, clarity and organization, critical reading and evaluation,
evidence and source integration, grammar and syntax, rhetorical purpose, audience
awareness, and argument development. This study guide, designed for the 2025/2026
academic year, provides original, scenario-based questions with detailed explanations to
ensure complete mastery of D169 competencies, formatted cleanly in Markdown.
Question 1
Which sentence in a paragraph best represents a thesis statement?
A. Many studies show social media impacts mental health.
B. This paper examines social media’s effects on anxiety and depression.
C. Teenagers spend over 7 hours daily on social media platforms.
D. Solutions include limiting screen time and promoting mindfulness.
Correct Answer: B — This paper examines social media’s effects on anxiety and
depression.
Explanation: A thesis statement articulates the main argument or purpose of a paper.
Option B clearly states the paper’s focus and scope. A (evidence), C (fact), and D
(solution) support the thesis but do not serve as the central claim.
Question 2
A student paraphrases a source but omits quotation marks around a verbatim phrase.
This is an example of:
A. Proper citation
B. Plagiarism
C. Effective summarizing
D. Accurate quotation
Correct Answer: B — Plagiarism
Explanation: Using a source’s exact words without quotation marks, even with a citation,
is plagiarism, as it misrepresents the words as the student’s own. Proper citation (A),
summarizing (C), and quotation (D) require correct attribution and formatting.
,Question 3
Which transition improves coherence between these sentences: “Renewable energy
reduces emissions. Solar panels are costly to install.”
A. For example
B. However
C. In addition
D. Therefore
Correct Answer: B — However
Explanation: “However” signals a contrast between the benefit (reduced emissions) and
the drawback (cost), improving logical flow. “For example” (A) and “In addition” (C)
suggest continuation, while “Therefore” (D) implies causation, which is incorrect.
Question 4
In a source, the author claims, “All diets are ineffective without exercise.” This is an
example of:
A. A logical fallacy
B. A credible claim
C. An absolute statement
D. A statistical fact
Correct Answer: C — An absolute statement
Explanation: The use of “all” makes this an absolute statement, lacking nuance. It’s not
inherently a fallacy (A) without context, not necessarily credible (B) without evidence,
and not statistical (D).
Question 5
Which sentence demonstrates academic tone?
A. I totally believe renewable energy is the best solution ever!
B. Renewable energy offers sustainable benefits, supported by research.
C. Yo, wind turbines are super cool for the environment.
D. Fossil fuels are lame compared to solar power.
Correct Answer: B — Renewable energy offers sustainable benefits, supported by
research.
Explanation: Academic tone is formal, objective, and evidence-based, as in B. Options A,
C, and D use informal language, slang, or emotional bias, which are inappropriate.
Question 6
A paragraph lacks a topic sentence. What is the BEST revision strategy?
, A. Add a concluding sentence
B. Include a sentence stating the main idea
C. Remove supporting details
D. Add more evidence
Correct Answer: B — Include a sentence stating the main idea
Explanation: A topic sentence introduces the paragraph’s main idea, providing focus. A
concluding sentence (A) summarizes, removing details (C) weakens support, and adding
evidence (D) doesn’t address the missing focus.
Question 7
Which source is most credible for a paper on climate change?
A. A blog post by an anonymous writer
B. A peer-reviewed article in a scientific journal
C. A social media influencer’s video
D. A news opinion column
Correct Answer: B — A peer-reviewed article in a scientific journal
Explanation: Peer-reviewed articles undergo rigorous expert scrutiny, ensuring
credibility. Blogs (A), influencer videos (C), and opinion columns (D) often lack objectivity
or verification.
Question 8
Which sentence contains a comma splice?
A. I studied for hours, and I passed the exam.
B. I studied for hours, I passed the exam.
C. I studied for hours; I passed the exam.
D. I studied for hours because I wanted to pass.
Correct Answer: B — I studied for hours, I passed the exam.
Explanation: A comma splice occurs when two independent clauses are joined by only a
comma (B). A (conjunction), C (semicolon), and D (dependent clause) are grammatically
correct.
Question 9
A writer claims, “Since my friend lost weight, this diet works for everyone.” This is an
example of:
A. A strong argument
B. A hasty generalization
C. A credible source
