WGU D265 – Critical Thinking: Reason
and Evidence Practice Exam – 150
Questions with Correct Answers and
Explanations
ABOUT THIS EXAM
This comprehensive practice exam is designed for students preparing
for the WGU D265: Critical Thinking – Reason and Evidence objective
assessment. The course focuses on developing skills in argument
analysis, logical reasoning, scientific reasoning, and statistical
interpretation.
Key Competencies Assessed:
• Interpreting and analyzing arguments
• Evaluating evidence and reasoning
• Applying logical principles and avoiding fallacies
• Understanding scientific methodology and causal reasoning
• Interpreting statistical and probabilistic information
SECTION 1: ARGUMENT COMPONENTS & IDENTIFICATION (Questions
1-20)
Question 1
Which of the following is a conclusion indicator word?
,A. Since
B. Because
C. Given that
D. Therefore
Correct Answer: D. Therefore
Conclusion indicators are words that signal the presence of a
conclusion. Common conclusion indicators include: therefore, thus,
hence, consequently, so, accordingly, and "for this reason." Premise
indicators (since, because, given that) signal the presence of premises
supporting a conclusion.
Question 2
Read the following passage: "All mammals are warm-blooded. Whales
are mammals. Therefore, whales are warm-blooded." The conclusion of
this argument is:
A. All mammals are warm-blooded
B. Whales are mammals
C. Whales are warm-blooded
D. All warm-blooded animals are mammals
Correct Answer: C. Whales are warm-blooded
In this syllogism, the conclusion is the statement that follows
"therefore." "All mammals are warm-blooded" and "Whales are
mammals" are premises supporting the conclusion that "Whales are
warm-blooded."
Question 3
,A statement that provides support or evidence for another statement
in an argument is called a:
A. Conclusion
B. Premise
C. Inference
D. Syllogism
Correct Answer: B. Premise
A premise is a statement that provides evidence, reasons, or support for
another statement (the conclusion). Premises are the foundational
claims upon which an argument is built. The term "inference" refers to
the reasoning process itself.
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a deductive argument?
A. Most birds can fly. Penguins are birds. Therefore, penguins can
probably fly.
B. Every time I eat dairy, I get a stomach ache. So, dairy causes my
stomach aches.
C. All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is
mortal.
D. The last three hurricanes were severe. Therefore, the next hurricane
will be severe.
Correct Answer: C. All humans are mortal. Socrates is human.
Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
This is a classic categorical syllogism and a deductive argument. In
deductive reasoning, if the premises are true, the conclusion must be
, true. The other options are inductive arguments (generalizations based
on specific observations) and involve probability rather than certainty.
Question 5
In an argument, the underlying assumption that connects the premises
to the conclusion (often unstated) is called the:
A. Premise indicator
B. Conclusion indicator
C. Implicit premise
D. Counterexample
Correct Answer: C. Implicit premise
An implicit (or unstated) premise is an assumption that is not explicitly
stated but is necessary for the argument to work. For example, the
argument "She is a doctor, so she went to medical school" assumes the
implicit premise that "All doctors went to medical school."
Question 6
Identify the premise(s) in this argument: "Studies show that exercise
reduces stress. Additionally, exercise improves cardiovascular health.
Therefore, everyone should incorporate exercise into their daily
routine."
A. Everyone should incorporate exercise into their daily routine
B. Studies show that exercise reduces stress and exercise improves
cardiovascular health
C. Everyone should incorporate exercise into their daily routine and
exercise reduces stress
and Evidence Practice Exam – 150
Questions with Correct Answers and
Explanations
ABOUT THIS EXAM
This comprehensive practice exam is designed for students preparing
for the WGU D265: Critical Thinking – Reason and Evidence objective
assessment. The course focuses on developing skills in argument
analysis, logical reasoning, scientific reasoning, and statistical
interpretation.
Key Competencies Assessed:
• Interpreting and analyzing arguments
• Evaluating evidence and reasoning
• Applying logical principles and avoiding fallacies
• Understanding scientific methodology and causal reasoning
• Interpreting statistical and probabilistic information
SECTION 1: ARGUMENT COMPONENTS & IDENTIFICATION (Questions
1-20)
Question 1
Which of the following is a conclusion indicator word?
,A. Since
B. Because
C. Given that
D. Therefore
Correct Answer: D. Therefore
Conclusion indicators are words that signal the presence of a
conclusion. Common conclusion indicators include: therefore, thus,
hence, consequently, so, accordingly, and "for this reason." Premise
indicators (since, because, given that) signal the presence of premises
supporting a conclusion.
Question 2
Read the following passage: "All mammals are warm-blooded. Whales
are mammals. Therefore, whales are warm-blooded." The conclusion of
this argument is:
A. All mammals are warm-blooded
B. Whales are mammals
C. Whales are warm-blooded
D. All warm-blooded animals are mammals
Correct Answer: C. Whales are warm-blooded
In this syllogism, the conclusion is the statement that follows
"therefore." "All mammals are warm-blooded" and "Whales are
mammals" are premises supporting the conclusion that "Whales are
warm-blooded."
Question 3
,A statement that provides support or evidence for another statement
in an argument is called a:
A. Conclusion
B. Premise
C. Inference
D. Syllogism
Correct Answer: B. Premise
A premise is a statement that provides evidence, reasons, or support for
another statement (the conclusion). Premises are the foundational
claims upon which an argument is built. The term "inference" refers to
the reasoning process itself.
Question 4
Which of the following is an example of a deductive argument?
A. Most birds can fly. Penguins are birds. Therefore, penguins can
probably fly.
B. Every time I eat dairy, I get a stomach ache. So, dairy causes my
stomach aches.
C. All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is
mortal.
D. The last three hurricanes were severe. Therefore, the next hurricane
will be severe.
Correct Answer: C. All humans are mortal. Socrates is human.
Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
This is a classic categorical syllogism and a deductive argument. In
deductive reasoning, if the premises are true, the conclusion must be
, true. The other options are inductive arguments (generalizations based
on specific observations) and involve probability rather than certainty.
Question 5
In an argument, the underlying assumption that connects the premises
to the conclusion (often unstated) is called the:
A. Premise indicator
B. Conclusion indicator
C. Implicit premise
D. Counterexample
Correct Answer: C. Implicit premise
An implicit (or unstated) premise is an assumption that is not explicitly
stated but is necessary for the argument to work. For example, the
argument "She is a doctor, so she went to medical school" assumes the
implicit premise that "All doctors went to medical school."
Question 6
Identify the premise(s) in this argument: "Studies show that exercise
reduces stress. Additionally, exercise improves cardiovascular health.
Therefore, everyone should incorporate exercise into their daily
routine."
A. Everyone should incorporate exercise into their daily routine
B. Studies show that exercise reduces stress and exercise improves
cardiovascular health
C. Everyone should incorporate exercise into their daily routine and
exercise reduces stress
