WGU D265 - WGU - Critical Thinking -
Reason and Evidence Exam 2025 Already
Graded A+
Course
WGU D265
1. Which of the following is an example of a deductive argument?
A. All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
B. Some cats are black. My cat is black. Therefore, all cats are black.
C. Most dogs are friendly. Rufus is a dog. Therefore, Rufus is friendly.
D. If it rains, the ground will be wet. It is raining. Therefore, the ground is wet.
Solution:
A deductive argument is one where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises. The
argument “All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal” is deductive
because if both premises are true, the conclusion must be true.
✅ Correct Answer: A
2. What is the fallacy in the argument "Either you support the new healthcare
plan, or you want people to die"?
A. False dilemma
B. Strawman
C. Ad hominem
D. Hasty generalization
Solution:
This argument presents only two extreme options and ignores other possibilities, which is an
example of the false dilemma fallacy.
✅ Correct Answer: A
3. In logical reasoning, what does "validity" refer to?
A. The truth of the premises
B. The ability of an argument to be sound
C. The structure of an argument and whether the conclusion logically follows from the premises
D. The persuasive power of an argument
,Solution:
Validity refers to the structure of an argument, specifically whether the conclusion logically
follows from the premises, regardless of whether the premises are true.
✅ Correct Answer: C
4. Which of the following is an example of an inductive argument?
A. All swans we have observed are white. Therefore, all swans are white.
B. All bachelors are unmarried. John is a bachelor. Therefore, John is unmarried.
C. If it rains, the ground will be wet. It is raining. Therefore, the ground is wet.
D. No mammals lay eggs. Therefore, no bird is a mammal.
Solution:
An inductive argument makes broad generalizations based on specific observations. The
example “All swans we have observed are white. Therefore, all swans are white” is inductive
because it generalizes from specific observations.
✅ Correct Answer: A
5. Which of the following is a key feature of critical thinking?
A. Accepting all arguments at face value
B. Relying on emotions to make decisions
C. Evaluating arguments based on evidence and logic
D. Avoiding complex reasoning to save time
Solution:
A key feature of critical thinking is evaluating arguments based on evidence and logic, rather
than accepting things without question.
✅ Correct Answer: C
6. Which of the following describes a "confirmation bias"?
A. Evaluating evidence objectively, regardless of personal beliefs
B. Focusing only on evidence that supports one’s pre-existing beliefs
C. Drawing conclusions without sufficient evidence
D. Using logical reasoning to dismiss counterarguments
Solution:
Confirmation bias is when someone focuses only on evidence that supports their pre-existing
,beliefs and ignores contrary evidence.
✅ Correct Answer: B
7. In the following argument, which premise is questionable: "All college
students are 18 years old or older. Sarah is a college student. Therefore, Sarah is
18 or older."
A. "All college students are 18 years old or older"
B. "Sarah is a college student"
C. "Sarah is 18 or older"
D. There is no questionable premise
Solution:
The premise "All college students are 18 years old or older" is questionable, as not all college
students fit this age range (some are younger).
✅ Correct Answer: A
8. What type of fallacy occurs when an argument attacks the person making the
argument rather than addressing the argument itself?
A. Ad hominem
B. False cause
C. Appeal to authority
D. Slippery slope
Solution:
The ad hominem fallacy occurs when someone attacks the person making the argument rather
than addressing the actual argument itself.
✅ Correct Answer: A
9. Which of the following statements contains a hasty generalization fallacy?
A. All the students in this class are great at math, so all students at this school must be great at
math.
B. If we allow people to vote on this issue, it will set a dangerous precedent for future decisions.
C. This company has been in business for over 50 years, so it must be doing something right.
D. The sky is blue, so it must be a clear day.
, Solution:
A hasty generalization occurs when a broad conclusion is drawn from a small or
unrepresentative sample. The statement "All the students in this class are great at math, so all
students at this school must be great at math" makes a generalization from a small group.
✅ Correct Answer: A
10. What does the term "circular reasoning" refer to in logical argumentation?
A. A reasoning error where the conclusion is used as a premise
B. Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient evidence
C. Changing the subject to avoid addressing an argument
D. Using an emotional appeal instead of logic
Solution:
Circular reasoning occurs when the conclusion is used as one of the premises, making the
argument logically flawed.
✅ Correct Answer: A
11. Which of the following is an example of a valid argument?
A. All birds can fly. Penguins are birds. Therefore, penguins can fly.
B. All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
C. Some mammals are carnivores. All dogs are mammals. Therefore, all dogs are carnivores.
D. All apples are sweet. Some fruit is sweet. Therefore, all fruit is sweet.
Solution:
The argument “All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal” is
valid, as the conclusion follows logically from the premises.
✅ Correct Answer: B
12. Which fallacy occurs when an argument misrepresents someone’s position to
make it easier to attack?
A. Strawman
B. Slippery slope
C. Appeal to emotion
D. Bandwagon
Solution:
The strawman fallacy occurs when an argument misrepresents or distorts someone’s position
to make it easier to attack.
✅ Correct Answer: A
Reason and Evidence Exam 2025 Already
Graded A+
Course
WGU D265
1. Which of the following is an example of a deductive argument?
A. All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
B. Some cats are black. My cat is black. Therefore, all cats are black.
C. Most dogs are friendly. Rufus is a dog. Therefore, Rufus is friendly.
D. If it rains, the ground will be wet. It is raining. Therefore, the ground is wet.
Solution:
A deductive argument is one where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises. The
argument “All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal” is deductive
because if both premises are true, the conclusion must be true.
✅ Correct Answer: A
2. What is the fallacy in the argument "Either you support the new healthcare
plan, or you want people to die"?
A. False dilemma
B. Strawman
C. Ad hominem
D. Hasty generalization
Solution:
This argument presents only two extreme options and ignores other possibilities, which is an
example of the false dilemma fallacy.
✅ Correct Answer: A
3. In logical reasoning, what does "validity" refer to?
A. The truth of the premises
B. The ability of an argument to be sound
C. The structure of an argument and whether the conclusion logically follows from the premises
D. The persuasive power of an argument
,Solution:
Validity refers to the structure of an argument, specifically whether the conclusion logically
follows from the premises, regardless of whether the premises are true.
✅ Correct Answer: C
4. Which of the following is an example of an inductive argument?
A. All swans we have observed are white. Therefore, all swans are white.
B. All bachelors are unmarried. John is a bachelor. Therefore, John is unmarried.
C. If it rains, the ground will be wet. It is raining. Therefore, the ground is wet.
D. No mammals lay eggs. Therefore, no bird is a mammal.
Solution:
An inductive argument makes broad generalizations based on specific observations. The
example “All swans we have observed are white. Therefore, all swans are white” is inductive
because it generalizes from specific observations.
✅ Correct Answer: A
5. Which of the following is a key feature of critical thinking?
A. Accepting all arguments at face value
B. Relying on emotions to make decisions
C. Evaluating arguments based on evidence and logic
D. Avoiding complex reasoning to save time
Solution:
A key feature of critical thinking is evaluating arguments based on evidence and logic, rather
than accepting things without question.
✅ Correct Answer: C
6. Which of the following describes a "confirmation bias"?
A. Evaluating evidence objectively, regardless of personal beliefs
B. Focusing only on evidence that supports one’s pre-existing beliefs
C. Drawing conclusions without sufficient evidence
D. Using logical reasoning to dismiss counterarguments
Solution:
Confirmation bias is when someone focuses only on evidence that supports their pre-existing
,beliefs and ignores contrary evidence.
✅ Correct Answer: B
7. In the following argument, which premise is questionable: "All college
students are 18 years old or older. Sarah is a college student. Therefore, Sarah is
18 or older."
A. "All college students are 18 years old or older"
B. "Sarah is a college student"
C. "Sarah is 18 or older"
D. There is no questionable premise
Solution:
The premise "All college students are 18 years old or older" is questionable, as not all college
students fit this age range (some are younger).
✅ Correct Answer: A
8. What type of fallacy occurs when an argument attacks the person making the
argument rather than addressing the argument itself?
A. Ad hominem
B. False cause
C. Appeal to authority
D. Slippery slope
Solution:
The ad hominem fallacy occurs when someone attacks the person making the argument rather
than addressing the actual argument itself.
✅ Correct Answer: A
9. Which of the following statements contains a hasty generalization fallacy?
A. All the students in this class are great at math, so all students at this school must be great at
math.
B. If we allow people to vote on this issue, it will set a dangerous precedent for future decisions.
C. This company has been in business for over 50 years, so it must be doing something right.
D. The sky is blue, so it must be a clear day.
, Solution:
A hasty generalization occurs when a broad conclusion is drawn from a small or
unrepresentative sample. The statement "All the students in this class are great at math, so all
students at this school must be great at math" makes a generalization from a small group.
✅ Correct Answer: A
10. What does the term "circular reasoning" refer to in logical argumentation?
A. A reasoning error where the conclusion is used as a premise
B. Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient evidence
C. Changing the subject to avoid addressing an argument
D. Using an emotional appeal instead of logic
Solution:
Circular reasoning occurs when the conclusion is used as one of the premises, making the
argument logically flawed.
✅ Correct Answer: A
11. Which of the following is an example of a valid argument?
A. All birds can fly. Penguins are birds. Therefore, penguins can fly.
B. All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
C. Some mammals are carnivores. All dogs are mammals. Therefore, all dogs are carnivores.
D. All apples are sweet. Some fruit is sweet. Therefore, all fruit is sweet.
Solution:
The argument “All humans are mortal. Socrates is a human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal” is
valid, as the conclusion follows logically from the premises.
✅ Correct Answer: B
12. Which fallacy occurs when an argument misrepresents someone’s position to
make it easier to attack?
A. Strawman
B. Slippery slope
C. Appeal to emotion
D. Bandwagon
Solution:
The strawman fallacy occurs when an argument misrepresents or distorts someone’s position
to make it easier to attack.
✅ Correct Answer: A
