WGUD265
WGU D265 CRITICAL THINKING
REASON AND EVIDENCE ACTUAL
EXAM 2025
Which sentence is a non-proposition?
- If the burglar did not go out the front door, they must have gone out a window.
- The earth is the third planet from the sun.
- Where are the keys to my car?
- Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. - -Where are the keys to my car?
Did the company really close that deal? It has had a great year. Where is the president
right now? Let's go ask whether the deal was closed.
In the above paragraph, which sentence expresses a proposition?
- Where is the president right now?
- Did the company really close that deal?
- Let's go ask whether the deal was closed.
- It has had a great year. - -It has had a great year.
Propositions - -Statements that can be true or false.
Non-propositions - -Sentences that are not statements about matters of fact (or fiction).
They do not make a claim that can be true or false.
Which sentence expresses a complex proposition?
- Birthday parties can be really fun.
- The cat ate the food, but did not like it.
- Too many employees are used to high-stress work environments in the United States.
- Why did the monkey escape, and who is responsible? - -The cat ate the food, but did
not like it.
If the computer is not fixed, then the company either needs to buy a new one or will not
be able to keep up productivity.
Which of the following breaks down the complex proposition above into the simple
propositions?
- If the computer is not fixed, then the company needs to buy a new one. The company
will not be able to keep up productivity.
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- The computer is not fixed. The company needs to buy a new computer. The company
will not be able to keep up productivity.
- The computer is not fixed. The company either needs to buy a new one or will not be
able to keep up productivity.
- The company does not have enough computers. - -The computer is not fixed. The
company needs to buy a new computer. The company will not be able to keep up
productivity.
Simple propositions - -Simple propositions have no internal logical structure, meaning
whether they are true or false does not depend on whether part of them is true or false.
They are simply true or false on their own.
Complex propositions - -Complex propositions have internal logical structure, meaning
they are composed of simple propositions. Whether they are true or false depends on
whether their parts are true or false.
If the new employee wants to succeed, then they need to show up on time. How many
times have we heard the manager complain about tardiness? Nobody likes a 7 a.m.
start time, but it was in the job description. We should remind the new employee how
important this is.
Which is a simple proposition that is expressed in the above paragraph?
- The new employee wants to succeed.
- How many times have we heard the manager complain about tardiness?
- The employees look out for each other.
- If the new employee wants to succeed, then they need to show up on time. - -The new
employee wants to succeed.
The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and this negatively affects many of
us. Many people are unsure exactly how their health insurance coverage works and are
not sure where they can go to get care. What can be done to improve this? If changes
are not made soon, the problem will only get worse.
Which is a simple proposition that is expressed in the above paragraph?
- Many people are not sure where they can go to get care.
- The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and this negatively affects many of
us.
- What can be done to improve this?
- Many people are unsure exactly how their health insurance coverage works and are
not sure where they can go to get care. - -Many people are not sure where they can go
to get care.
Bad inferential structure - -Every argument with the same structure as this argument is
bad (invalid or weak). The premises do not, in fact, demonstrate or maybe even support
the conclusion. In other words, we can accept the premises as true without being
compelled to accept the conclusion. There is something wrong with this argument's
general structure.
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False premise - -This particular argument has a premise/assumption that is false. There
is something wrong with this argument's particular content.
Conclusion Indicators - -Therefore, so, it follows that, hence, thus, entails that, we may
conclude that, implies that, wherefore, as a result
Premise Indicators - -Because, for, given that, in that, as, since, as indicated by
"Since we cannot go out until the restaurant opens, and given that we are trying to save
money, we should just hang out here until closer to dinner."
Which statements are the premises of the following argument? Choose 2 answers.
- We cannot go out until the restaurant opens.
- We are trying to save money.
- We should just hang out here until closer to dinner.
- We can have a good time without spending money. - -- We cannot go out until the
restaurant opens.
- We are trying to save money.
Most students in the class scored less than 70% on the exam. This means that the
exam was too difficult to accurately assess student learning. Therefore, as exams are
supposed to accurately assess student learning, the exam must be revised and
readministered.
Which statement is the conclusion of the above argument?
- The exam must be revised and readministered.
- Some students in the class scored higher than 70% on the exam.
- Exams are supposed to accurately assess student learning.
- Most students in the class scored less than 70% on the exam. - -The exam must be
revised and readministered.
Which sentences are arguments? Choose 2 answers.
- We know the student cheated on the exam because the instructor caught the student
stealing glances at their neighbor's test.
- The student only cheated on the exam because their financial aid depended on it.
- No one has ever been to the moon, so we do not know that it is not made of cheese.
- If you suspect you have been infected with rabies, then you should contact a medical
professional immediately. - -- We know the student cheated on the exam because the
instructor caught the student stealing glances at their neighbor's test.
- No one has ever been to the moon, so we do not know that it is not made of cheese.
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Which pairs of sentences are arguments? Choose 2 answers.
- Every time I walk by here, Chris is doing nothing. Chris must not do anything with the
available time.
- We need to act now to reverse greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the earth will
soon become inhospitable to human life.
- John Lennon was shot and killed. So were Bobby Kennedy and his brother John.
- One student cheated on the test. But it was only because the student felt ill prepared. -
-- Every time I walk by here, Chris is doing nothing. Chris must not do anything with the
available time.
- We need to act now to reverse greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the earth will
soon become inhospitable to human life.
I just heard the news about Riley's car. It was vandalized last Saturday. There is no
doubt Jordan did it. I went to the bowling alley that night. I bowled a 160! Anyway, I saw
Jordan there and, although it was barely noticeable, I definitely saw paint on Jordan's
shirt. It is unlikely there would be paint on Jordan's shirt unless Jordan had spray-
painted Riley's car. It is a shame, really, since it was such a nice shirt. It was the green
one. Oh, and you know Jordan has motive. After all, Jordan has a well-known grudge
against Riley. You remember when Riley borrowed Jordan's lawnmower and did not
return it. And there was opportunity, because Jordan does not work on the weekend
and usually stays home watching television. But the lightning storm earlier last week
short-circuited Jordan's TV set. Besides, they canceled Jordan's favorite Saturday
evening show.
Which description best characterizes the above?
- A story
- - -An argument
Kinds of Inferences - -Deduction
Induction
Inference to the best explanation or abduction
Deduction - -arguments where the premises guarantee or necessitate the conclusion
— mathematical arguments, logical arguments, arguments from definition
Induction - -arguments where the premises make the conclusion probable
— analogies, authority, causal inferences, scientific reasoning, extrapolations, etc.
Inference to the best explanation or abduction - -arguments where the best available
explanation is chosen as the correct explanation
Truth - -A true proposition accurately represents reality.
WGUD265
WGU D265 CRITICAL THINKING
REASON AND EVIDENCE ACTUAL
EXAM 2025
Which sentence is a non-proposition?
- If the burglar did not go out the front door, they must have gone out a window.
- The earth is the third planet from the sun.
- Where are the keys to my car?
- Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world. - -Where are the keys to my car?
Did the company really close that deal? It has had a great year. Where is the president
right now? Let's go ask whether the deal was closed.
In the above paragraph, which sentence expresses a proposition?
- Where is the president right now?
- Did the company really close that deal?
- Let's go ask whether the deal was closed.
- It has had a great year. - -It has had a great year.
Propositions - -Statements that can be true or false.
Non-propositions - -Sentences that are not statements about matters of fact (or fiction).
They do not make a claim that can be true or false.
Which sentence expresses a complex proposition?
- Birthday parties can be really fun.
- The cat ate the food, but did not like it.
- Too many employees are used to high-stress work environments in the United States.
- Why did the monkey escape, and who is responsible? - -The cat ate the food, but did
not like it.
If the computer is not fixed, then the company either needs to buy a new one or will not
be able to keep up productivity.
Which of the following breaks down the complex proposition above into the simple
propositions?
- If the computer is not fixed, then the company needs to buy a new one. The company
will not be able to keep up productivity.
WGUD265
,WGUD265
- The computer is not fixed. The company needs to buy a new computer. The company
will not be able to keep up productivity.
- The computer is not fixed. The company either needs to buy a new one or will not be
able to keep up productivity.
- The company does not have enough computers. - -The computer is not fixed. The
company needs to buy a new computer. The company will not be able to keep up
productivity.
Simple propositions - -Simple propositions have no internal logical structure, meaning
whether they are true or false does not depend on whether part of them is true or false.
They are simply true or false on their own.
Complex propositions - -Complex propositions have internal logical structure, meaning
they are composed of simple propositions. Whether they are true or false depends on
whether their parts are true or false.
If the new employee wants to succeed, then they need to show up on time. How many
times have we heard the manager complain about tardiness? Nobody likes a 7 a.m.
start time, but it was in the job description. We should remind the new employee how
important this is.
Which is a simple proposition that is expressed in the above paragraph?
- The new employee wants to succeed.
- How many times have we heard the manager complain about tardiness?
- The employees look out for each other.
- If the new employee wants to succeed, then they need to show up on time. - -The new
employee wants to succeed.
The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and this negatively affects many of
us. Many people are unsure exactly how their health insurance coverage works and are
not sure where they can go to get care. What can be done to improve this? If changes
are not made soon, the problem will only get worse.
Which is a simple proposition that is expressed in the above paragraph?
- Many people are not sure where they can go to get care.
- The U.S. healthcare system is difficult to navigate, and this negatively affects many of
us.
- What can be done to improve this?
- Many people are unsure exactly how their health insurance coverage works and are
not sure where they can go to get care. - -Many people are not sure where they can go
to get care.
Bad inferential structure - -Every argument with the same structure as this argument is
bad (invalid or weak). The premises do not, in fact, demonstrate or maybe even support
the conclusion. In other words, we can accept the premises as true without being
compelled to accept the conclusion. There is something wrong with this argument's
general structure.
WGUD265
,WGUD265
False premise - -This particular argument has a premise/assumption that is false. There
is something wrong with this argument's particular content.
Conclusion Indicators - -Therefore, so, it follows that, hence, thus, entails that, we may
conclude that, implies that, wherefore, as a result
Premise Indicators - -Because, for, given that, in that, as, since, as indicated by
"Since we cannot go out until the restaurant opens, and given that we are trying to save
money, we should just hang out here until closer to dinner."
Which statements are the premises of the following argument? Choose 2 answers.
- We cannot go out until the restaurant opens.
- We are trying to save money.
- We should just hang out here until closer to dinner.
- We can have a good time without spending money. - -- We cannot go out until the
restaurant opens.
- We are trying to save money.
Most students in the class scored less than 70% on the exam. This means that the
exam was too difficult to accurately assess student learning. Therefore, as exams are
supposed to accurately assess student learning, the exam must be revised and
readministered.
Which statement is the conclusion of the above argument?
- The exam must be revised and readministered.
- Some students in the class scored higher than 70% on the exam.
- Exams are supposed to accurately assess student learning.
- Most students in the class scored less than 70% on the exam. - -The exam must be
revised and readministered.
Which sentences are arguments? Choose 2 answers.
- We know the student cheated on the exam because the instructor caught the student
stealing glances at their neighbor's test.
- The student only cheated on the exam because their financial aid depended on it.
- No one has ever been to the moon, so we do not know that it is not made of cheese.
- If you suspect you have been infected with rabies, then you should contact a medical
professional immediately. - -- We know the student cheated on the exam because the
instructor caught the student stealing glances at their neighbor's test.
- No one has ever been to the moon, so we do not know that it is not made of cheese.
WGUD265
, WGUD265
Which pairs of sentences are arguments? Choose 2 answers.
- Every time I walk by here, Chris is doing nothing. Chris must not do anything with the
available time.
- We need to act now to reverse greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the earth will
soon become inhospitable to human life.
- John Lennon was shot and killed. So were Bobby Kennedy and his brother John.
- One student cheated on the test. But it was only because the student felt ill prepared. -
-- Every time I walk by here, Chris is doing nothing. Chris must not do anything with the
available time.
- We need to act now to reverse greenhouse gas emissions. If we do not, the earth will
soon become inhospitable to human life.
I just heard the news about Riley's car. It was vandalized last Saturday. There is no
doubt Jordan did it. I went to the bowling alley that night. I bowled a 160! Anyway, I saw
Jordan there and, although it was barely noticeable, I definitely saw paint on Jordan's
shirt. It is unlikely there would be paint on Jordan's shirt unless Jordan had spray-
painted Riley's car. It is a shame, really, since it was such a nice shirt. It was the green
one. Oh, and you know Jordan has motive. After all, Jordan has a well-known grudge
against Riley. You remember when Riley borrowed Jordan's lawnmower and did not
return it. And there was opportunity, because Jordan does not work on the weekend
and usually stays home watching television. But the lightning storm earlier last week
short-circuited Jordan's TV set. Besides, they canceled Jordan's favorite Saturday
evening show.
Which description best characterizes the above?
- A story
- - -An argument
Kinds of Inferences - -Deduction
Induction
Inference to the best explanation or abduction
Deduction - -arguments where the premises guarantee or necessitate the conclusion
— mathematical arguments, logical arguments, arguments from definition
Induction - -arguments where the premises make the conclusion probable
— analogies, authority, causal inferences, scientific reasoning, extrapolations, etc.
Inference to the best explanation or abduction - -arguments where the best available
explanation is chosen as the correct explanation
Truth - -A true proposition accurately represents reality.
WGUD265
