WGU D265 Critical Thinking: Reason and
Evidence exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
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Question 1
Which statement best describes critical thinking?
A. Accepting information from authoritative sources without
questioning it
B. Forming conclusions based primarily on personal experience
C. Systematically evaluating information, reasoning, and evidence
before reaching a conclusion
D. Defending an existing opinion regardless of contradictory evidence
Rationale: Critical thinking involves deliberate evaluation of claims,
evidence, assumptions, and reasoning. It does not require rejecting
information automatically; instead, the critical thinker assesses
,whether the available support is relevant, credible, sufficient, and
logically connected to the conclusion.
Question 2
Which component of an argument is the statement that the speaker or
writer wants the audience to accept?
A. Premise
B. Evidence
C. Assumption
D. Conclusion
Rationale: The conclusion is the claim an argument attempts to
establish. Premises provide reasons or support for that conclusion,
while assumptions are often unstated beliefs that connect the
premises to the conclusion.
Question 3
Consider the argument: “The library should extend its hours because
students who work during the day need additional opportunities to
study.” What is the conclusion?
A. Students work during the day.
B. Students need opportunities to study.
,C. The library should extend its hours.
D. Studying is important to students.
Rationale: The conclusion is the recommendation the argument seeks
to establish. The phrase “because” introduces the supporting reason,
making “students who work during the day need additional
opportunities to study” a premise.
Question 4
Which statement is most clearly a premise?
A. Therefore, the company should change its policy.
B. Thus, the proposal should be rejected.
C. Employee turnover increased after the scheduling policy was
introduced.
D. Consequently, management must act immediately.
Rationale: A premise provides support for a conclusion. The statement
about increased turnover is a factual claim that could be used as
evidence for a recommendation about changing the policy.
Question 5
What is an inference?
A. A statement that is always objectively true
B. A definition of an unfamiliar term
, C. A conclusion drawn from available information or evidence
D. A personal preference that requires no justification
Rationale: An inference is a reasoned conclusion based on
information. Good critical thinking requires distinguishing what is
directly observed or stated from what is inferred from that
information.
Question 6
A student says, “The professor assigned three difficult readings, so the
professor must dislike the class.” What is the primary problem with this
reasoning?
A. The conclusion is necessarily false.
B. The readings cannot be difficult.
C. The evidence does not adequately establish the professor’s
motivation.
D. Professors cannot assign multiple readings.
Rationale: The assignment of difficult readings does not logically
demonstrate that the professor dislikes the class. Other explanations
are possible, such as preparing students for an upcoming assessment
or covering required material.
Question 7
Evidence exam Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf
Question 1
Which statement best describes critical thinking?
A. Accepting information from authoritative sources without
questioning it
B. Forming conclusions based primarily on personal experience
C. Systematically evaluating information, reasoning, and evidence
before reaching a conclusion
D. Defending an existing opinion regardless of contradictory evidence
Rationale: Critical thinking involves deliberate evaluation of claims,
evidence, assumptions, and reasoning. It does not require rejecting
information automatically; instead, the critical thinker assesses
,whether the available support is relevant, credible, sufficient, and
logically connected to the conclusion.
Question 2
Which component of an argument is the statement that the speaker or
writer wants the audience to accept?
A. Premise
B. Evidence
C. Assumption
D. Conclusion
Rationale: The conclusion is the claim an argument attempts to
establish. Premises provide reasons or support for that conclusion,
while assumptions are often unstated beliefs that connect the
premises to the conclusion.
Question 3
Consider the argument: “The library should extend its hours because
students who work during the day need additional opportunities to
study.” What is the conclusion?
A. Students work during the day.
B. Students need opportunities to study.
,C. The library should extend its hours.
D. Studying is important to students.
Rationale: The conclusion is the recommendation the argument seeks
to establish. The phrase “because” introduces the supporting reason,
making “students who work during the day need additional
opportunities to study” a premise.
Question 4
Which statement is most clearly a premise?
A. Therefore, the company should change its policy.
B. Thus, the proposal should be rejected.
C. Employee turnover increased after the scheduling policy was
introduced.
D. Consequently, management must act immediately.
Rationale: A premise provides support for a conclusion. The statement
about increased turnover is a factual claim that could be used as
evidence for a recommendation about changing the policy.
Question 5
What is an inference?
A. A statement that is always objectively true
B. A definition of an unfamiliar term
, C. A conclusion drawn from available information or evidence
D. A personal preference that requires no justification
Rationale: An inference is a reasoned conclusion based on
information. Good critical thinking requires distinguishing what is
directly observed or stated from what is inferred from that
information.
Question 6
A student says, “The professor assigned three difficult readings, so the
professor must dislike the class.” What is the primary problem with this
reasoning?
A. The conclusion is necessarily false.
B. The readings cannot be difficult.
C. The evidence does not adequately establish the professor’s
motivation.
D. Professors cannot assign multiple readings.
Rationale: The assignment of difficult readings does not logically
demonstrate that the professor dislikes the class. Other explanations
are possible, such as preparing students for an upcoming assessment
or covering required material.
Question 7
