WGU D658 Planning Instructional Strategies for Meaningful
Learning Comprehensive Exam Review | Differentiation, UDL,
Backward Design & Detailed Rationales 2026/2027
QUESTION 1
In Wiggins and McTighe's Backward Design model, what is the very first
stage a teacher must complete when designing a curriculum unit?
A. Identify desired results and learning outcomes (standards and
understandings)
B. Create weekly lesson plans and lecture notes
C. Design final multiple-choice summative exams
D. Select interactive classroom games and videos
Correct Answer: A. Identify desired results and learning outcomes
(standards and understandings)
Detailed Rationale: Backward design begins with Stage 1: identifying
desired results, establishing what students should know, understand,
and be able to do by the end of the unit.
QUESTION 2
What is the focus of Stage 2 in Backward Design?
A. Determining acceptable evidence of student learning through
performance tasks and assessments
B. Writing daily lecture scripts for the teacher
C. Ordering textbooks and classroom supplies
,D. Planning end-of-year field trips
Correct Answer: A. Determining acceptable evidence of student
learning through performance tasks and assessments
Detailed Rationale: Stage 2 requires teachers to determine how they
will assess whether students achieved the desired results before
planning daily learning activities.
QUESTION 3
What is the focus of Stage 3 in Backward Design?
A. Planning the learning experiences, instructional strategies, and
sequential daily lessons
B. Grading final semester report cards
C. Establishing school-wide discipline policies
D. Evaluating standardized state testing budgets
Correct Answer: A. Planning the learning experiences, instructional
strategies, and sequential daily lessons
Detailed Rationale: Stage 3 involves designing the actual instructional
activities, teaching methods, and learning experiences that prepare
students for the assessments.
QUESTION 4
How does Backward Design differ from traditional "forward" design?
A. Backward design starts with clear learning goals and assessments
before planning lessons, whereas forward design often starts with
textbook chapters or favorite activities without a clear endpoint.
,B. Backward design is only used in kindergarten classrooms.
C. Forward design eliminates all student assessments.
D. There is no difference in planning methodology.
Correct Answer: A. Backward design starts with clear learning goals and
assessments before planning lessons, whereas forward design often
starts with textbook chapters or favorite activities without a clear
endpoint.
Detailed Rationale: Backward design prevents "coverage" traps by
anchoring all instruction directly to targeted standards and authentic
performance goals.
QUESTION 5
What is the primary purpose of an "Essential QUESTION" in Backward
Design?
A. To spark ongoing inquiry, provoke deep thought, and guide students
toward transferable conceptual understandings.
B. To test rote memorization of historical dates.
C. To take up space on whiteboard lesson objectives.
D. To provide a yes/no answer within five seconds.
Correct Answer: A. To spark ongoing inquiry, provoke deep thought,
and guide students toward transferable conceptual understandings.
Detailed Rationale: Essential QUESTIONs are open-ended, thought-
provoking queries that lack a single simple answer and drive conceptual
exploration throughout a unit.
, QUESTION 6
What is a "transfer goal" in curriculum design?
A. An overarching goal stating how students will independently apply
their learning to new, real-world situations beyond the classroom.
B. A rule for transferring students between different school districts.
C. A protocol for handing homework papers to the teacher.
D. The physical relocation of desks in a classroom.
Correct Answer: A. An overarching goal stating how students will
independently apply their learning to new, real-world situations beyond
the classroom.
Detailed Rationale: Transfer goals focus on long-term utility, ensuring
students can use knowledge autonomously when faced with novel
challenges.
QUESTION 7
According to Wiggins and McTighe, what are the Six Facets of
Understanding?
A. Explanation, Interpretation, Application, Perspective, Empathy, and
Self-Knowledge
B. Memorization, Recitation, Testing, Grading, Review, and Repetition
C. Listening, Copying, Drilling, Punishing, Praising, and Seating
D. Skimming, Scanning, Deleting, Printing, Saving, and Closing
Correct Answer: A. Explanation, Interpretation, Application,
Perspective, Empathy, and Self-Knowledge
Learning Comprehensive Exam Review | Differentiation, UDL,
Backward Design & Detailed Rationales 2026/2027
QUESTION 1
In Wiggins and McTighe's Backward Design model, what is the very first
stage a teacher must complete when designing a curriculum unit?
A. Identify desired results and learning outcomes (standards and
understandings)
B. Create weekly lesson plans and lecture notes
C. Design final multiple-choice summative exams
D. Select interactive classroom games and videos
Correct Answer: A. Identify desired results and learning outcomes
(standards and understandings)
Detailed Rationale: Backward design begins with Stage 1: identifying
desired results, establishing what students should know, understand,
and be able to do by the end of the unit.
QUESTION 2
What is the focus of Stage 2 in Backward Design?
A. Determining acceptable evidence of student learning through
performance tasks and assessments
B. Writing daily lecture scripts for the teacher
C. Ordering textbooks and classroom supplies
,D. Planning end-of-year field trips
Correct Answer: A. Determining acceptable evidence of student
learning through performance tasks and assessments
Detailed Rationale: Stage 2 requires teachers to determine how they
will assess whether students achieved the desired results before
planning daily learning activities.
QUESTION 3
What is the focus of Stage 3 in Backward Design?
A. Planning the learning experiences, instructional strategies, and
sequential daily lessons
B. Grading final semester report cards
C. Establishing school-wide discipline policies
D. Evaluating standardized state testing budgets
Correct Answer: A. Planning the learning experiences, instructional
strategies, and sequential daily lessons
Detailed Rationale: Stage 3 involves designing the actual instructional
activities, teaching methods, and learning experiences that prepare
students for the assessments.
QUESTION 4
How does Backward Design differ from traditional "forward" design?
A. Backward design starts with clear learning goals and assessments
before planning lessons, whereas forward design often starts with
textbook chapters or favorite activities without a clear endpoint.
,B. Backward design is only used in kindergarten classrooms.
C. Forward design eliminates all student assessments.
D. There is no difference in planning methodology.
Correct Answer: A. Backward design starts with clear learning goals and
assessments before planning lessons, whereas forward design often
starts with textbook chapters or favorite activities without a clear
endpoint.
Detailed Rationale: Backward design prevents "coverage" traps by
anchoring all instruction directly to targeted standards and authentic
performance goals.
QUESTION 5
What is the primary purpose of an "Essential QUESTION" in Backward
Design?
A. To spark ongoing inquiry, provoke deep thought, and guide students
toward transferable conceptual understandings.
B. To test rote memorization of historical dates.
C. To take up space on whiteboard lesson objectives.
D. To provide a yes/no answer within five seconds.
Correct Answer: A. To spark ongoing inquiry, provoke deep thought,
and guide students toward transferable conceptual understandings.
Detailed Rationale: Essential QUESTIONs are open-ended, thought-
provoking queries that lack a single simple answer and drive conceptual
exploration throughout a unit.
, QUESTION 6
What is a "transfer goal" in curriculum design?
A. An overarching goal stating how students will independently apply
their learning to new, real-world situations beyond the classroom.
B. A rule for transferring students between different school districts.
C. A protocol for handing homework papers to the teacher.
D. The physical relocation of desks in a classroom.
Correct Answer: A. An overarching goal stating how students will
independently apply their learning to new, real-world situations beyond
the classroom.
Detailed Rationale: Transfer goals focus on long-term utility, ensuring
students can use knowledge autonomously when faced with novel
challenges.
QUESTION 7
According to Wiggins and McTighe, what are the Six Facets of
Understanding?
A. Explanation, Interpretation, Application, Perspective, Empathy, and
Self-Knowledge
B. Memorization, Recitation, Testing, Grading, Review, and Repetition
C. Listening, Copying, Drilling, Punishing, Praising, and Seating
D. Skimming, Scanning, Deleting, Printing, Saving, and Closing
Correct Answer: A. Explanation, Interpretation, Application,
Perspective, Empathy, and Self-Knowledge
