PASSPOINTPRO | D265 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
PASSPOINTPRO
WGU D265 Critical Thinking
REASON AND EVIDENCE
200-QUESTION COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
Answers and Explanations Included
Four Course Sections | 50 Questions Each | Multiple Choice
D265 | Page 1
, PASSPOINTPRO | D265 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
Exam Overview
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Each item has one defensible answer.
The correct answer and a concise explanation follow the options so the document can be used
for guided review or independent practice.
Range Content Area Items
1-50 Propositions, Arguments, and Inference 50
51-100 Evidence, Sources, and Statistical Reasoning 50
101-150 Cognitive Biases and Heuristics 50
151-200 Fallacies and Argument Mapping 50
D265 | Page 2
, PASSPOINTPRO | D265 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
Section I - Propositions, Arguments, and Inference
Questions 1-50
1. Which statement is a proposition?
A. Please close the library.
B. What time does the library close?
C. Wow, that library is enormous!
D. The library closes at 8:00 p.m.
Answer: D. The library closes at 8:00 p.m.
Explanation: A proposition asserts something that can be evaluated as true or false. The remaining
choices do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing this distinction
supports accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
2. In an argument, what is a premise?
A. The statement that the argument is designed to support
B. A question that introduces the topic
C. A statement offered as support for another statement
D. Any emotionally powerful sentence
Answer: C. A statement offered as support for another statement
Explanation: A premise supplies a reason intended to support a conclusion. The remaining choices
do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing this distinction supports
accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
3. In an argument, what is the conclusion?
A. A statement that provides background only
B. The claim the premises are intended to support
C. Every sentence appearing before an indicator word
D. An objection that defeats the argument
Answer: B. The claim the premises are intended to support
Explanation: The conclusion is the main claim inferred from the supporting premises. The remaining
choices do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing this distinction
supports accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
D265 | Page 3
, PASSPOINTPRO | D265 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
4. Which word most commonly signals a conclusion?
A. Therefore
B. Because
C. Given that
D. Since
Answer: A. Therefore
Explanation: Therefore usually introduces the claim drawn from earlier reasons. The remaining
choices do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing this distinction
supports accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
5. Which phrase most commonly signals a premise?
A. Consequently
B. Thus
C. It follows that
D. Because
Answer: D. Because
Explanation: Because usually introduces a reason offered in support of a claim. The remaining
choices do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing this distinction
supports accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
6. A speaker gives reasons intended to establish that a policy should change. What has the
speaker presented?
A. A definition
B. A report with no inference
C. An argument
D. A rhetorical question
Answer: C. An argument
Explanation: An argument connects supporting reasons to a claim the speaker wants the audience to
accept. The remaining choices do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing
this distinction supports accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
D265 | Page 4
PASSPOINTPRO
WGU D265 Critical Thinking
REASON AND EVIDENCE
200-QUESTION COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
Answers and Explanations Included
Four Course Sections | 50 Questions Each | Multiple Choice
D265 | Page 1
, PASSPOINTPRO | D265 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
Exam Overview
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Each item has one defensible answer.
The correct answer and a concise explanation follow the options so the document can be used
for guided review or independent practice.
Range Content Area Items
1-50 Propositions, Arguments, and Inference 50
51-100 Evidence, Sources, and Statistical Reasoning 50
101-150 Cognitive Biases and Heuristics 50
151-200 Fallacies and Argument Mapping 50
D265 | Page 2
, PASSPOINTPRO | D265 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
Section I - Propositions, Arguments, and Inference
Questions 1-50
1. Which statement is a proposition?
A. Please close the library.
B. What time does the library close?
C. Wow, that library is enormous!
D. The library closes at 8:00 p.m.
Answer: D. The library closes at 8:00 p.m.
Explanation: A proposition asserts something that can be evaluated as true or false. The remaining
choices do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing this distinction
supports accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
2. In an argument, what is a premise?
A. The statement that the argument is designed to support
B. A question that introduces the topic
C. A statement offered as support for another statement
D. Any emotionally powerful sentence
Answer: C. A statement offered as support for another statement
Explanation: A premise supplies a reason intended to support a conclusion. The remaining choices
do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing this distinction supports
accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
3. In an argument, what is the conclusion?
A. A statement that provides background only
B. The claim the premises are intended to support
C. Every sentence appearing before an indicator word
D. An objection that defeats the argument
Answer: B. The claim the premises are intended to support
Explanation: The conclusion is the main claim inferred from the supporting premises. The remaining
choices do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing this distinction
supports accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
D265 | Page 3
, PASSPOINTPRO | D265 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE EXAM
4. Which word most commonly signals a conclusion?
A. Therefore
B. Because
C. Given that
D. Since
Answer: A. Therefore
Explanation: Therefore usually introduces the claim drawn from earlier reasons. The remaining
choices do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing this distinction
supports accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
5. Which phrase most commonly signals a premise?
A. Consequently
B. Thus
C. It follows that
D. Because
Answer: D. Because
Explanation: Because usually introduces a reason offered in support of a claim. The remaining
choices do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing this distinction
supports accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
6. A speaker gives reasons intended to establish that a policy should change. What has the
speaker presented?
A. A definition
B. A report with no inference
C. An argument
D. A rhetorical question
Answer: C. An argument
Explanation: An argument connects supporting reasons to a claim the speaker wants the audience to
accept. The remaining choices do not match the concept or reasoning pattern described. Recognizing
this distinction supports accurate evaluation of arguments and evidence.
D265 | Page 4
