1
WGU D265 Task 1: Thinking
Critically Actual Exam Questions &
Verified Answers | Western Governors
University
Section 1: Argument Structure & Components
Q1: Read the passage: “All mammals are warm-blooded. A whale is a mammal. Therefore, a
whale is warm-blooded.” In this argument, “A whale is a mammal” serves as:
A. The conclusion
B. A premise
C. An inference
D. A fallacy
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: It is a stated fact offered to support the conclusion, satisfying the definition of
a premise.
Q2: Which best describes the relationship between premises and a conclusion in a sound
argument?
A. The premises are interesting, and the conclusion is surprising.
B. The premises are true, and the conclusion follows logically from them.
C. The premises are numerous, and the conclusion is popular.
D. The premises are emotional, and the conclusion is persuasive.
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: A sound argument requires true premises and valid logical structure so the
conclusion necessarily follows.
Q3: Read the passage: “City police reported 15 % fewer traffic violations last month. Therefore,
drivers are becoming more law-abiding.” The statement “drivers are becoming more law-
abiding” is:
A. A premise
B. A conclusion
C. An inference rule
D. A counterexample
, 2
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: It is the claim that the premises are intended to establish, making it the
conclusion.
Q4: In standard form, an argument’s conclusion should be:
A. Listed first, followed by all premises
B. Listed last, after all premises
C. Interspersed among premises
D. Omitted to avoid bias
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Standard logical form places the conclusion after the premises for clarity.
Q5: Which of the following is an implicit premise in the argument? “Dr. Lee is a physician, so
she must have taken the Hippocratic Oath.”
A. Dr. Lee is compassionate.
B. All physicians take the Hippocratic Oath.
C. The Hippocratic Oath is outdated.
D. Physicians earn high salaries.
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: The argument assumes without stating that every physician takes the oath,
making it an implicit premise.
Q6: The term “inference” refers to:
A. The emotional tone of an argument
B. The process of drawing a conclusion from premises
C. The number of premises present
D. The speaker’s credibility
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Inference is the cognitive move from premises to conclusion.
Q7: Read the passage: “If the battery is dead, the car won’t start. The car won’t start. Therefore,
the battery is dead.” This argument is:
A. Valid
B. Invalid
C. Sound
D. Cogent
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: The structure affirms the consequent, a formal fallacy, so the argument is
invalid.
Q8: Which choice best identifies the conclusion indicator word in the sentence? “The economy is
recovering because unemployment has declined for three consecutive months.”
A. Economy
WGU D265 Task 1: Thinking
Critically Actual Exam Questions &
Verified Answers | Western Governors
University
Section 1: Argument Structure & Components
Q1: Read the passage: “All mammals are warm-blooded. A whale is a mammal. Therefore, a
whale is warm-blooded.” In this argument, “A whale is a mammal” serves as:
A. The conclusion
B. A premise
C. An inference
D. A fallacy
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: It is a stated fact offered to support the conclusion, satisfying the definition of
a premise.
Q2: Which best describes the relationship between premises and a conclusion in a sound
argument?
A. The premises are interesting, and the conclusion is surprising.
B. The premises are true, and the conclusion follows logically from them.
C. The premises are numerous, and the conclusion is popular.
D. The premises are emotional, and the conclusion is persuasive.
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: A sound argument requires true premises and valid logical structure so the
conclusion necessarily follows.
Q3: Read the passage: “City police reported 15 % fewer traffic violations last month. Therefore,
drivers are becoming more law-abiding.” The statement “drivers are becoming more law-
abiding” is:
A. A premise
B. A conclusion
C. An inference rule
D. A counterexample
, 2
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: It is the claim that the premises are intended to establish, making it the
conclusion.
Q4: In standard form, an argument’s conclusion should be:
A. Listed first, followed by all premises
B. Listed last, after all premises
C. Interspersed among premises
D. Omitted to avoid bias
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Standard logical form places the conclusion after the premises for clarity.
Q5: Which of the following is an implicit premise in the argument? “Dr. Lee is a physician, so
she must have taken the Hippocratic Oath.”
A. Dr. Lee is compassionate.
B. All physicians take the Hippocratic Oath.
C. The Hippocratic Oath is outdated.
D. Physicians earn high salaries.
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: The argument assumes without stating that every physician takes the oath,
making it an implicit premise.
Q6: The term “inference” refers to:
A. The emotional tone of an argument
B. The process of drawing a conclusion from premises
C. The number of premises present
D. The speaker’s credibility
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: Inference is the cognitive move from premises to conclusion.
Q7: Read the passage: “If the battery is dead, the car won’t start. The car won’t start. Therefore,
the battery is dead.” This argument is:
A. Valid
B. Invalid
C. Sound
D. Cogent
Answer: B
Verified Rationale: The structure affirms the consequent, a formal fallacy, so the argument is
invalid.
Q8: Which choice best identifies the conclusion indicator word in the sentence? “The economy is
recovering because unemployment has declined for three consecutive months.”
A. Economy
