Answer: The option that does not provide a characteristic of a thesis statement is D. a question posed to the reader.
Step-by-step explanation: A thesis statement is included in the introduction and it contains the main idea or point of an essay. Moreover, the information that a writer presents in the body of his/her essay needs to be related to this main point so that the thesis statement works as a guide for the writer, but also as a roadmap for the reader. In that way, options A., B. and C. present characteristics of a thesis statement, but option D. does not since a thesis statement does not ask questions to the reader.