WGU D677 Elementary Literacy Curriculum
Exam Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which instructional approach best supports early literacy
development by explicitly teaching the relationship between
letters and sounds?
A. Whole language immersion
B. Silent sustained reading
C. Systematic phonics instruction
D. Independent reading only
Rationale: Systematic phonics instruction teaches students predictable
relationships between graphemes (letters) and phonemes (sounds).
This explicit approach helps beginning readers decode unfamiliar
words and develop foundational reading skills.
, 2. A teacher asks students to identify the first sound they hear in the
word “map.” Which literacy skill is being assessed?
A. Vocabulary development
B. Reading fluency
C. Phonemic awareness
D. Comprehension monitoring
Rationale: Phonemic awareness is the ability to recognize and
manipulate individual sounds in spoken words. Identifying the first
sound in “map” requires students to isolate the initial phoneme /m/.
3. Which activity most directly develops phonological awareness in
kindergarten students?
A. Copying sentences from a book
B. Memorizing sight word lists
C. Clapping syllables in students’ names
D. Writing paragraphs about a story
Rationale: Clapping syllables requires students to hear and
manipulate parts of spoken words, which builds phonological
awareness. It is an oral language skill that develops before formal
reading instruction.
, 4. A first-grade teacher models how to blend the sounds /c/ /a/ /t/
to read “cat.” This strategy is an example of:
A. Semantic mapping
B. Decoding instruction
C. Predictive reading
D. Text analysis
Rationale: Decoding involves using knowledge of sound-symbol
relationships to read words. Blending individual phonemes together
helps students recognize and pronounce written words.
5. Which component is essential in a balanced literacy program?
A. Avoiding direct instruction
B. Using only textbooks
C. Combining reading instruction with authentic reading experiences
D. Eliminating independent reading time
Rationale: Balanced literacy integrates explicit instruction in
foundational skills with opportunities for students to read meaningful
texts independently and collaboratively.
, 6. What is the primary purpose of a running record assessment?
A. Measuring handwriting ability
B. Determining vocabulary size only
C. Analyzing reading behaviors and accuracy
D. Evaluating writing organization
Rationale: Running records allow teachers to examine a student’s
reading accuracy, fluency, and strategies used while reading
connected text.
7. Which strategy best helps students develop comprehension
before reading a new text?
A. Assigning a spelling test
B. Activating prior knowledge through discussion
C. Asking students to memorize the passage
D. Having students copy vocabulary definitions
Rationale: Activating prior knowledge helps students connect new
information to existing knowledge, improving comprehension and
engagement with the text.
Exam Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. Which instructional approach best supports early literacy
development by explicitly teaching the relationship between
letters and sounds?
A. Whole language immersion
B. Silent sustained reading
C. Systematic phonics instruction
D. Independent reading only
Rationale: Systematic phonics instruction teaches students predictable
relationships between graphemes (letters) and phonemes (sounds).
This explicit approach helps beginning readers decode unfamiliar
words and develop foundational reading skills.
, 2. A teacher asks students to identify the first sound they hear in the
word “map.” Which literacy skill is being assessed?
A. Vocabulary development
B. Reading fluency
C. Phonemic awareness
D. Comprehension monitoring
Rationale: Phonemic awareness is the ability to recognize and
manipulate individual sounds in spoken words. Identifying the first
sound in “map” requires students to isolate the initial phoneme /m/.
3. Which activity most directly develops phonological awareness in
kindergarten students?
A. Copying sentences from a book
B. Memorizing sight word lists
C. Clapping syllables in students’ names
D. Writing paragraphs about a story
Rationale: Clapping syllables requires students to hear and
manipulate parts of spoken words, which builds phonological
awareness. It is an oral language skill that develops before formal
reading instruction.
, 4. A first-grade teacher models how to blend the sounds /c/ /a/ /t/
to read “cat.” This strategy is an example of:
A. Semantic mapping
B. Decoding instruction
C. Predictive reading
D. Text analysis
Rationale: Decoding involves using knowledge of sound-symbol
relationships to read words. Blending individual phonemes together
helps students recognize and pronounce written words.
5. Which component is essential in a balanced literacy program?
A. Avoiding direct instruction
B. Using only textbooks
C. Combining reading instruction with authentic reading experiences
D. Eliminating independent reading time
Rationale: Balanced literacy integrates explicit instruction in
foundational skills with opportunities for students to read meaningful
texts independently and collaboratively.
, 6. What is the primary purpose of a running record assessment?
A. Measuring handwriting ability
B. Determining vocabulary size only
C. Analyzing reading behaviors and accuracy
D. Evaluating writing organization
Rationale: Running records allow teachers to examine a student’s
reading accuracy, fluency, and strategies used while reading
connected text.
7. Which strategy best helps students develop comprehension
before reading a new text?
A. Assigning a spelling test
B. Activating prior knowledge through discussion
C. Asking students to memorize the passage
D. Having students copy vocabulary definitions
Rationale: Activating prior knowledge helps students connect new
information to existing knowledge, improving comprehension and
engagement with the text.
