WGU D265 CRITICAL THINKING: REASON &
EVIDENCE OA EXAM 2026 | 200 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & DETAILED RATIONALES |
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT STUDY GUIDE
WGU D265 CRITICAL THINKING: REASON & EVIDENCE OA EXAM 2026 | 200
VERIFIED QUESTIONS & DETAILED EXPERT RATIONALE OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
STUDY GUIDE
• This study guide contains 200 exam-style questions with verified correct answers
and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE designed to prepare you fully for the WGU D265
Objective Assessment — covering every major topic tested on the exam.
• For best results, attempt each question independently before revealing the
answer, then read the EXPERT RATIONALE carefully to solidify your understanding
of the concept tested.
1. What is the primary purpose of an argument in critical thinking?
A. To persuade someone using emotional appeals
B. To express an opinion without evidence
C. To provide reasons that support a conclusion
D. To describe a disagreement between two people
E. To list facts without drawing any inference
Correct Answer: C. To provide reasons that support a conclusion
EXPERT RATIONALE: In critical thinking, an argument is a set of statements in
which premises (reasons) are offered to support a conclusion. It is not merely a
disagreement or emotional appeal — it requires a logical structure linking evidence
to a claim.
2. Which of the following best defines a "premise" in an argument?
A. The final statement that an argument is trying to establish
,B. A statement offered as a reason or evidence for the conclusion
C. A question posed to challenge the argument
D. A belief held without any supporting evidence
E. A rhetorical device used to appeal to emotions
Correct Answer: B. A statement offered as a reason or evidence for the
conclusion
EXPERT RATIONALE: A premise is a supporting statement that provides the
evidence or reasoning upon which the conclusion is based. The conclusion is what
the argument tries to prove; the premises are what lead there.
3. In the argument "All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore,
Socrates is mortal," which statement is the conclusion?
A. All humans are mortal
B. Socrates is human
C. Therefore, Socrates is mortal
D. All humans and Socrates are mortal
E. Mortality applies to all living things
Correct Answer: C. Therefore, Socrates is mortal
EXPERT RATIONALE: The conclusion is the statement that the argument is
designed to establish. The word "therefore" is a conclusion indicator. The other two
statements are premises that lead to this conclusion.
4. Which of the following is a reliable indicator that a statement is a
conclusion?
A. It begins with "because" or "since"
B. It begins with "therefore," "thus," or "so"
,C. It is the longest statement in the passage
D. It contains statistical data
E. It makes a prediction about the future
Correct Answer: B. It begins with "therefore," "thus," or "so"
EXPERT RATIONALE: Words like "therefore," "thus," "so," "hence," and
"consequently" are conclusion indicators — they signal that what follows is the
point the argument is trying to establish. Words like "because" and "since" are
premise indicators.
5. Which of the following is NOT an example of a premise indicator word?
A. Because
B. Since
C. Given that
D. Therefore
E. For the reason that
Correct Answer: D. Therefore
EXPERT RATIONALE: "Therefore" is a conclusion indicator, not a premise indicator.
Words like "because," "since," "given that," and "for the reason that" signal that a
premise (reason) is being offered.
6. Which of the following passages contains an argument?
A. The sky is blue on a clear day.
B. What time does the store open?
C. Please close the window before leaving.
D. You should exercise daily because it improves cardiovascular health.
, E. The temperature today is 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Correct Answer: D. You should exercise daily because it improves
cardiovascular health.
EXPERT RATIONALE: An argument must contain at least one premise and a
conclusion. Option D offers a reason ("because it improves cardiovascular health")
in support of a conclusion ("you should exercise daily"). The other options are
statements of fact, a question, or a command without reasoning.
7. A passage that only reports facts without drawing any inference or making
any claim is best described as:
A. A deductive argument
B. An inductive argument
C. An explanation
D. A non-argument
E. A valid syllogism
Correct Answer: D. A non-argument
EXPERT RATIONALE: Not every passage is an argument. If no conclusion is being
drawn and no reasons are being offered in support of a claim, the passage is a non-
argument. Arguments require both premises and a conclusion.
8. What distinguishes an explanation from an argument?
A. An explanation uses more evidence than an argument
B. An explanation tries to prove a conclusion, whereas an argument describes an
event
C. An argument tries to establish that something is true; an explanation accounts
for why something that is already accepted as true is the case
D. An argument never uses the word "because," but an explanation always does
EVIDENCE OA EXAM 2026 | 200 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS & DETAILED RATIONALES |
OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT STUDY GUIDE
WGU D265 CRITICAL THINKING: REASON & EVIDENCE OA EXAM 2026 | 200
VERIFIED QUESTIONS & DETAILED EXPERT RATIONALE OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
STUDY GUIDE
• This study guide contains 200 exam-style questions with verified correct answers
and detailed EXPERT RATIONALE designed to prepare you fully for the WGU D265
Objective Assessment — covering every major topic tested on the exam.
• For best results, attempt each question independently before revealing the
answer, then read the EXPERT RATIONALE carefully to solidify your understanding
of the concept tested.
1. What is the primary purpose of an argument in critical thinking?
A. To persuade someone using emotional appeals
B. To express an opinion without evidence
C. To provide reasons that support a conclusion
D. To describe a disagreement between two people
E. To list facts without drawing any inference
Correct Answer: C. To provide reasons that support a conclusion
EXPERT RATIONALE: In critical thinking, an argument is a set of statements in
which premises (reasons) are offered to support a conclusion. It is not merely a
disagreement or emotional appeal — it requires a logical structure linking evidence
to a claim.
2. Which of the following best defines a "premise" in an argument?
A. The final statement that an argument is trying to establish
,B. A statement offered as a reason or evidence for the conclusion
C. A question posed to challenge the argument
D. A belief held without any supporting evidence
E. A rhetorical device used to appeal to emotions
Correct Answer: B. A statement offered as a reason or evidence for the
conclusion
EXPERT RATIONALE: A premise is a supporting statement that provides the
evidence or reasoning upon which the conclusion is based. The conclusion is what
the argument tries to prove; the premises are what lead there.
3. In the argument "All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore,
Socrates is mortal," which statement is the conclusion?
A. All humans are mortal
B. Socrates is human
C. Therefore, Socrates is mortal
D. All humans and Socrates are mortal
E. Mortality applies to all living things
Correct Answer: C. Therefore, Socrates is mortal
EXPERT RATIONALE: The conclusion is the statement that the argument is
designed to establish. The word "therefore" is a conclusion indicator. The other two
statements are premises that lead to this conclusion.
4. Which of the following is a reliable indicator that a statement is a
conclusion?
A. It begins with "because" or "since"
B. It begins with "therefore," "thus," or "so"
,C. It is the longest statement in the passage
D. It contains statistical data
E. It makes a prediction about the future
Correct Answer: B. It begins with "therefore," "thus," or "so"
EXPERT RATIONALE: Words like "therefore," "thus," "so," "hence," and
"consequently" are conclusion indicators — they signal that what follows is the
point the argument is trying to establish. Words like "because" and "since" are
premise indicators.
5. Which of the following is NOT an example of a premise indicator word?
A. Because
B. Since
C. Given that
D. Therefore
E. For the reason that
Correct Answer: D. Therefore
EXPERT RATIONALE: "Therefore" is a conclusion indicator, not a premise indicator.
Words like "because," "since," "given that," and "for the reason that" signal that a
premise (reason) is being offered.
6. Which of the following passages contains an argument?
A. The sky is blue on a clear day.
B. What time does the store open?
C. Please close the window before leaving.
D. You should exercise daily because it improves cardiovascular health.
, E. The temperature today is 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Correct Answer: D. You should exercise daily because it improves
cardiovascular health.
EXPERT RATIONALE: An argument must contain at least one premise and a
conclusion. Option D offers a reason ("because it improves cardiovascular health")
in support of a conclusion ("you should exercise daily"). The other options are
statements of fact, a question, or a command without reasoning.
7. A passage that only reports facts without drawing any inference or making
any claim is best described as:
A. A deductive argument
B. An inductive argument
C. An explanation
D. A non-argument
E. A valid syllogism
Correct Answer: D. A non-argument
EXPERT RATIONALE: Not every passage is an argument. If no conclusion is being
drawn and no reasons are being offered in support of a claim, the passage is a non-
argument. Arguments require both premises and a conclusion.
8. What distinguishes an explanation from an argument?
A. An explanation uses more evidence than an argument
B. An explanation tries to prove a conclusion, whereas an argument describes an
event
C. An argument tries to establish that something is true; an explanation accounts
for why something that is already accepted as true is the case
D. An argument never uses the word "because," but an explanation always does
