WGU D265 CRITICAL THINKING REASON AND EVIDENCE OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
LATEST ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS, 2024/2025
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Section * 1
Lesson 1 Quiz: Basic Components of Propositions
Question 1
If the new employee wants to succeed, then they need to show up on time. How many times
have we heard the manager complain about tardiness? Nobody likes a 7 a.m. start time, but it
was in the job description. We should remind the new employee how important this is.
Which is a simple proposition that is expressed in the above paragraph?
The new employee wants to succeed.
How many times have we heard the manager complain about tardiness?
The employees look out for each other.
If the new employee wants to succeed, then they need to show up on time.
Answer
This is the simple proposition in the "if . . ." half of the first complex proposition.
Question 2
The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and this negatively affects many of us. Many
people are unsure exactly how their health insurance coverage works and are not sure where
they can go to get care. What can be done to improve this? If changes are not made soon, the
problem will only get worse.
Which is a simple proposition that is expressed in the above paragraph?
Many people are not sure where they can go to get care.
The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and this negatively affects many of us.
What can be done to improve this?
Many people are unsure exactly how their health insurance coverage works and are not sure
where they can go to get care.
Answer
This is a simple proposition expressed in the second sentence. Note that when broken down, it needs to
explicitly include the subject "many people."
Lesson 2 Quiz: Distinguishing Between Premises and Conclusions
Question 1
Which words or phrases are premise indicators? Choose 2 answers.
In that
Consequently
It follows that
Because
Answer
"In that" is correct. "In that" indicates the introduction of a reason supporting the conclusion.
"Because" is correct. "Because" indicates the introduction of a reason supporting the conclusion.
Question 2
Which words or phrases are conclusion indicators? Choose 2 answers.
As a result
For
Hence
As indicated by
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,Answer
"As a result" is correct. "As a result" indicates the introduction of a claim supported by premises.
"Hence" is correct. "Hence" indicates the introduction of a claim supported by premises.
Lesson 3 Quiz: Distinguishing between Arguments and Non-arguments
Question 1
Which pairs of sentences are arguments? Choose 2 answers.
Every time I walk by here, Chris is doing nothing. Chris must not do anything with the available
time.
We need to act now to reverse greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the earth will soon
become inhospitable to human life.
John Lennon was shot and killed. So were Bobby Kennedy and his brother John.
One student cheated on the test. But it was only because the student felt ill prepared.
Answer
"Every time I walk by here, Chris is doing nothing. Chris must not do anything with the available time" is
correct. The second sentence is the conclusion and the first sentence is the premise.
"We need to act now to reverse greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the earth will soon become
inhospitable to human life" is correct. The first sentence is the conclusion and the second sentence is the
premise.
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,Question 2
I know who vandalized Riley’s car with spray paint. It was Jordan! Consider the facts. Jordan
was seen near Riley’s house yesterday afternoon, and last night we noticed paint on Jordan’s
shirt. Besides, Jordan has been out to get Riley ever since Riley broke Jordan’s lawn mower.
Which description best characterizes the above?
A story
An explanation for why something happened
An argument
A disconnected set of statements
Answer
Because the passage contains a conclusion (Jordan vandalized the car) supported by reasons and
evidence (paint stain, opportunity, and motive), it is best characterized as an argument.
Lessons 4 Quiz: Validity or Strength of Arguments
Question 1
Consider the following argument: If Jones is a baseball player, then Jones is an athlete. Jones
is a baseball player. Thus, Jones is an athlete.
Which kind of argument is this?
A conditional proposition
A valid argument
A strong argument
An invalid argument
Answer
This is correct because the argument is structured in such a way that if the premises are true, the
conclusion must be true.
Question 2
In deductive reasoning, what is the difference between validity and soundness?
Validity concerns the truth of an argument's premises, but soundness requires a high degree of
probability.
Validity only concerns the structure of an argument, but soundness requires both validity and
true premises.
Validity concerns an argument's probability, but soundness requires clearly defined terms.
Validity concerns the inductive strength of an argument, but soundness requires both strength
and plausible premises.
Answer
Validity concerns the way an argument is constructed. Soundness requires true premises in addition to
validity.
Question 3
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, All Texans are Americans. Ana is an American. Therefore, Ana is a Texan. Which terms
categorize this deductive argument? Choose two answers.
Valid
Invalid
Sound
Unsound
Answer
Correct! This argument is not valid.
Correct! All invalid arguments are also unsound.
Hint: First evaluate the argument's form, then evaluate the argument's content.
Question 4
All Californians are Canadians. Bert is a Californian. Therefore, Bert is a Canadian. Which terms
categorize this deductive argument? Choose two answers.
Valid
Invalid
Sound
Unsound
Answer
Correct! If the premises of this argument were true, the conclusion would have to be true as well.
Correct! This argument has a valid form, but it is unsound because it contains a false premise.
Hint: First evaluate the argument's form, then evaluate the argument's content.
Question 5
In the past, it has snowed in Alaska every winter for the last 100 years. Therefore, it will
probably snow in Alaska next winter. Which terms categorize this inductive argument? Choose
two answers.
Strong
Weak
Cogent
Uncogent
Answer
Correct! The truth of the premise would make the conclusion probably true.
Correct! This argument is strong and its premise is true.
Hint: First evaluate the argument's form, then evaluate the argument's content.
Question 6
In 1962, it snowed in downtown Los Angeles. Therefore, it will probably snow in downtown Los
Angeles next winter. Which terms categorize this inductive argument? Choose two answers.
Strong
Weak
Cogent
Uncogent
Answer
Correct! This argument provides very weak inductive support for the conclusion.
Correct! All weak arguments are also uncogent.
Hint: First evaluate the argument's form, then evaluate the argument's content.
Lessons 5 Quiz: Fallacies
Question 1
Complete the statement:
A formal fallacy concerns , but an informal fallacy concern .
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