WGU EKO1 D256 CRITICAL THINKING REASON AND EVIDENCE OBJECTIVE ASSESMENT QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
* Argument Structure and Components (premises, conclusions, inferences)
* Propositions and Non-Propositions
* Logical Fallacies (straw man, ad hominem, false dilemma, circular reasoning)
* Cognitive Biases (confirmation bias, availability heuristic, anchoring)
* Evidence Types and Evaluation (anecdotal, statistical, expert testimony)
* Toulmin Model of Argumentation (claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, rebuttal)
* Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning
* Critical Thinking Principles (principle of charity, skepticism)
* Real-World Application and Decision-Making
* Ethics and Professional Standards in Reasoning
Introduction
* This assessment evaluates mastery of critical thinking fundamentals essential for analyzing, evaluating, and constructing reasoned arguments.
Candidates will demonstrate proficiency in identifying argument structures, distinguishing propositions from non-propositions, recognizing logical
fallacies and cognitive biases, and evaluating evidence quality. The exam features multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that emphasize real-
world application in professional decision-making contexts. Success requires not only theoretical knowledge but also the ability to apply critical
thinking skills to authentic situations involving news analysis, academic texts, advertising, and workplace communication. This assessment prepares
professionals to make evidence-based decisions and communicate reasoning clearly and ethically.*
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
Which of the following statements is a proposition?
,A. "What time is the meeting?"
B. "Please close the door."
C. "The conference starts at 9 AM tomorrow."
D. "Wow, that was amazing!"
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: A proposition is a statement that can be true or false. Option C makes a claim about reality that can be verified as true or false.
Options A, B, and D are a question, command, and exclamation respectively—none make truth-apt claims.
Question 2
In the Toulmin model, what element provides the underlying assumptions that connect the grounds to the claim?
A. Backing
B. Warrant
C. Qualifier
D. Rebuttal
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The warrant is the bridge that explains why the grounds support the claim. It contains the underlying assumptions or general
principles that make the inference valid. Backing supports the warrant itself, while qualifier indicates strength and rebuttal addresses exceptions.
Question 3
Which cognitive bias involves favoring information that confirms existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence?
A. Availability heuristic
B. Anchoring bias
C. Confirmation bias
D. Hindsight bias
,🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information in ways that confirm preexisting beliefs. The
availability heuristic relies on recent/d memorable examples, anchoring involves initial values, and hindsight bias is believing events were
predictable after they occur.
Question 4
Identify the logical fallacy: "You can't prove aliens don't exist, so they must exist."
A. False dilemma
B. Appeal to ignorance (ad ignorantiam)
C. Straw man
D. Circular reasoning
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Appeal to ignorance claims something is true simply because it hasn't been proven false (or vice versa). This reverses the proper
burden of proof. A false dilemma presents only two options, straw man misrepresents arguments, and circular reasoning restates the conclusion as
proof.
Question 5
Which of the following is NOT a proposition?
A. "Water boils at 100°C at sea level."
B. "Congratulations on your promotion!"
C. "The company's revenue increased 15% last quarter."
D. "This statement is false."
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Option B is an expression of congratulations—not a truth-apt statement. It cannot be evaluated as true or false. Options A, C, and D
all make claims about reality (even if D is paradoxical, it's still structured as a proposition).
Question 6
In deducing "All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal," what type of reasoning is used?
A. Inductive
B. Abductive
C. Deductive
D. Analogical
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: This is a classic deductive syllogism where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises. If the premises are true, the
conclusion must be true. Inductive reasoning draws probable conclusions from patterns, while abductive seeks best explanations.
Question 7
Which evidence type is generally considered MOST reliable for supporting factual claims?
A. Anecdotal evidence from a single witness
B. Statistical data from a large, randomized sample
C. Expert testimony without cited research
D. Personal opinion from a блоггер
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Statistical data from large, randomized samples minimizes bias and provides quantifiable, replicable evidence. Anecdotal evidence
is limited by small samples, expert testimony needs supporting research, and personal opinions lack empirical grounding.
ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
* Argument Structure and Components (premises, conclusions, inferences)
* Propositions and Non-Propositions
* Logical Fallacies (straw man, ad hominem, false dilemma, circular reasoning)
* Cognitive Biases (confirmation bias, availability heuristic, anchoring)
* Evidence Types and Evaluation (anecdotal, statistical, expert testimony)
* Toulmin Model of Argumentation (claim, grounds, warrant, backing, qualifier, rebuttal)
* Deductive vs. Inductive Reasoning
* Critical Thinking Principles (principle of charity, skepticism)
* Real-World Application and Decision-Making
* Ethics and Professional Standards in Reasoning
Introduction
* This assessment evaluates mastery of critical thinking fundamentals essential for analyzing, evaluating, and constructing reasoned arguments.
Candidates will demonstrate proficiency in identifying argument structures, distinguishing propositions from non-propositions, recognizing logical
fallacies and cognitive biases, and evaluating evidence quality. The exam features multiple-choice and scenario-based questions that emphasize real-
world application in professional decision-making contexts. Success requires not only theoretical knowledge but also the ability to apply critical
thinking skills to authentic situations involving news analysis, academic texts, advertising, and workplace communication. This assessment prepares
professionals to make evidence-based decisions and communicate reasoning clearly and ethically.*
Section One: Questions 1–100
Question 1
Which of the following statements is a proposition?
,A. "What time is the meeting?"
B. "Please close the door."
C. "The conference starts at 9 AM tomorrow."
D. "Wow, that was amazing!"
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: A proposition is a statement that can be true or false. Option C makes a claim about reality that can be verified as true or false.
Options A, B, and D are a question, command, and exclamation respectively—none make truth-apt claims.
Question 2
In the Toulmin model, what element provides the underlying assumptions that connect the grounds to the claim?
A. Backing
B. Warrant
C. Qualifier
D. Rebuttal
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: The warrant is the bridge that explains why the grounds support the claim. It contains the underlying assumptions or general
principles that make the inference valid. Backing supports the warrant itself, while qualifier indicates strength and rebuttal addresses exceptions.
Question 3
Which cognitive bias involves favoring information that confirms existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence?
A. Availability heuristic
B. Anchoring bias
C. Confirmation bias
D. Hindsight bias
,🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Confirmation bias is the tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information in ways that confirm preexisting beliefs. The
availability heuristic relies on recent/d memorable examples, anchoring involves initial values, and hindsight bias is believing events were
predictable after they occur.
Question 4
Identify the logical fallacy: "You can't prove aliens don't exist, so they must exist."
A. False dilemma
B. Appeal to ignorance (ad ignorantiam)
C. Straw man
D. Circular reasoning
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Appeal to ignorance claims something is true simply because it hasn't been proven false (or vice versa). This reverses the proper
burden of proof. A false dilemma presents only two options, straw man misrepresents arguments, and circular reasoning restates the conclusion as
proof.
Question 5
Which of the following is NOT a proposition?
A. "Water boils at 100°C at sea level."
B. "Congratulations on your promotion!"
C. "The company's revenue increased 15% last quarter."
D. "This statement is false."
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Option B is an expression of congratulations—not a truth-apt statement. It cannot be evaluated as true or false. Options A, C, and D
all make claims about reality (even if D is paradoxical, it's still structured as a proposition).
Question 6
In deducing "All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal," what type of reasoning is used?
A. Inductive
B. Abductive
C. Deductive
D. Analogical
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: This is a classic deductive syllogism where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises. If the premises are true, the
conclusion must be true. Inductive reasoning draws probable conclusions from patterns, while abductive seeks best explanations.
Question 7
Which evidence type is generally considered MOST reliable for supporting factual claims?
A. Anecdotal evidence from a single witness
B. Statistical data from a large, randomized sample
C. Expert testimony without cited research
D. Personal opinion from a блоггер
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Statistical data from large, randomized samples minimizes bias and provides quantifiable, replicable evidence. Anecdotal evidence
is limited by small samples, expert testimony needs supporting research, and personal opinions lack empirical grounding.
