D265 CRITICAL THINKING REASON AND
EVIDENCE WGU UPDATED 2026 STUDY
PAPER WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
FULL SOLUTION GUIDE
⩥ Propositions Answer: The fundamental building blocks of arguments.
They are a statement that can be true or false.
⩥ Simple propositions Answer: They have no internal logic structure,
they are simply true or false based on how the world is.
⩥ Freedom should be the highest value for its citizens. Answer: Simple
proposition
⩥ Complex propositions Answer: They have internal logic structure, and
whether they are true or false depends on if their parts are true or false.
⩥ If freedom should be the highest value for its citizens, then we should
promote it in our laws and policies. Answer: Complex proposition
⩥ Argument Answer: Contains at least two statements or propositions: a
conclusion and one or more premises that lend support to the conclusion.
,⩥ Premise Answer: A proposition that supports the conclusion.
⩥ Conclusion Indicators Answer: Therefore, so, it follows that, hence,
thus, entails that, we may conclude that, implies that, wherefore, as a
result.
⩥ Premise Indicators Answer: Because, for, given that, in that, as, since,
indicated by.
⩥ Conclusion Answer: The claim that the whole argument is intended to
support or prove.
⩥ Deduction Answer: Arguments where the premises guarantee or
necessitate the conclusion.
⩥ Types of arguments that are deductive Answer: Mathematical
arguments, logical arguments, arguments from definition.
⩥ Induction Answer: Arguments where the premises make the
conclusion likely to be true.
⩥ Types of arguments that are inductive/ampliative Answer: Analogies,
authority, casual inferences, scientific reasoning, extrapolations.
,⩥ P1: Monty is in Bejing
P2: It is impossible to get here from Bejing in an afternoon
Conclusion: Monty won't be at the party Answer: Deductive argument
⩥ P1: Monty is really shy
P2: Monty rarely goes to parties
Conclusion: Monty won't be at the party Answer: Inductive/ampliative
argument
⩥ Soundness/Validity Answer: Elements of a deductive argument
⩥ Validity Answer: If true, the premises make the conclusion true
⩥ Soundness Answer: The argument's premises guarantee the conclusion
when true (Validity), and all premises are true
⩥ Strength/Cogency Answer: Elements of an inductive argument
⩥ Strength Answer: The premises give probable support for the
conclusion.
⩥ Cogent Answer: The premises give probable support towards the
conclusion when true (Strength), and all premises are true
, ⩥ Fallacy Answer: A defect in reasoning
⩥ Formal Fallacy Answer: A defect in the structure of an argument
⩥ Informal Fallacy Answer: A defect in the content of an argument
⩥ Modus Ponens (Affirming the Antecedent) basic structure Answer:
P1. If X, then Y
P2. X
C: Therefore, Y
No Formal Fallacy
⩥ P1. If I'm in Rome, then I'm in Italy
P2. I am in Rome.
C: Therefore, I am in Italy Answer: Modus Ponens (Affirming the
Antecedent)
⩥ Affirming the Consequent basic structure Answer: P1. If X, then Y
P2. Y
C: Therefore, X
EVIDENCE WGU UPDATED 2026 STUDY
PAPER WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS AND
FULL SOLUTION GUIDE
⩥ Propositions Answer: The fundamental building blocks of arguments.
They are a statement that can be true or false.
⩥ Simple propositions Answer: They have no internal logic structure,
they are simply true or false based on how the world is.
⩥ Freedom should be the highest value for its citizens. Answer: Simple
proposition
⩥ Complex propositions Answer: They have internal logic structure, and
whether they are true or false depends on if their parts are true or false.
⩥ If freedom should be the highest value for its citizens, then we should
promote it in our laws and policies. Answer: Complex proposition
⩥ Argument Answer: Contains at least two statements or propositions: a
conclusion and one or more premises that lend support to the conclusion.
,⩥ Premise Answer: A proposition that supports the conclusion.
⩥ Conclusion Indicators Answer: Therefore, so, it follows that, hence,
thus, entails that, we may conclude that, implies that, wherefore, as a
result.
⩥ Premise Indicators Answer: Because, for, given that, in that, as, since,
indicated by.
⩥ Conclusion Answer: The claim that the whole argument is intended to
support or prove.
⩥ Deduction Answer: Arguments where the premises guarantee or
necessitate the conclusion.
⩥ Types of arguments that are deductive Answer: Mathematical
arguments, logical arguments, arguments from definition.
⩥ Induction Answer: Arguments where the premises make the
conclusion likely to be true.
⩥ Types of arguments that are inductive/ampliative Answer: Analogies,
authority, casual inferences, scientific reasoning, extrapolations.
,⩥ P1: Monty is in Bejing
P2: It is impossible to get here from Bejing in an afternoon
Conclusion: Monty won't be at the party Answer: Deductive argument
⩥ P1: Monty is really shy
P2: Monty rarely goes to parties
Conclusion: Monty won't be at the party Answer: Inductive/ampliative
argument
⩥ Soundness/Validity Answer: Elements of a deductive argument
⩥ Validity Answer: If true, the premises make the conclusion true
⩥ Soundness Answer: The argument's premises guarantee the conclusion
when true (Validity), and all premises are true
⩥ Strength/Cogency Answer: Elements of an inductive argument
⩥ Strength Answer: The premises give probable support for the
conclusion.
⩥ Cogent Answer: The premises give probable support towards the
conclusion when true (Strength), and all premises are true
, ⩥ Fallacy Answer: A defect in reasoning
⩥ Formal Fallacy Answer: A defect in the structure of an argument
⩥ Informal Fallacy Answer: A defect in the content of an argument
⩥ Modus Ponens (Affirming the Antecedent) basic structure Answer:
P1. If X, then Y
P2. X
C: Therefore, Y
No Formal Fallacy
⩥ P1. If I'm in Rome, then I'm in Italy
P2. I am in Rome.
C: Therefore, I am in Italy Answer: Modus Ponens (Affirming the
Antecedent)
⩥ Affirming the Consequent basic structure Answer: P1. If X, then Y
P2. Y
C: Therefore, X
