WGU D265 CRITICAL THINKING
REASON AND EVIDENCE OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT EXAM LATEST 2025-2026
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
"A recent study found that dairy milk is healthier than soy milk. But that finding is
obviously false because the study was conducted by the dairy industry."
Which fallacy of relevance is depicted in this example?
- Post hoc ergo propter
- Irrelevant appeal
- Begging the question
- Genetic fallacy - CORRECT ANSWER: Genetic fallacy
"All dogs have four legs. Grover is a dog, because Grover barks like a dog. So Grover
has four legs." Which statement represents indirect support? - CORRECT ANSWER:
Grover barks like a dog.
"If magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, then magic is real. Magicians can pull rabbits
out of hats. Therefore, I know that magic is real." Which two statements represent
conjoint support when mapping this example to a body of propositions? - CORRECT
ANSWER: If magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, then magic is real. & Magicians can
pull rabbits out of hats.
"If you are not at the game rooting for our high school football team, then you must not
have any school spirit."
Which two statements accurately describe this argument? Choose 2 answers.
- The argument includes a false dichotomy..
- The argument assumes the truth of the conclusion in the premise.
- The argument contains black-and-white thinking.
- The argument mistakes causation for correlation. - CORRECT ANSWER: - The
argument includes a false dichotomy.
- The argument contains black-and-white thinking.
"Peyton is an excellent dentist, so she sings well." Which statement represents the
hidden assumption that would make this argument valid? - CORRECT ANSWER: All
excellent dentists sing well.
,"Products manufactured in our country are the best because we make the best
automobiles," declared Kennedy. Which two descriptors best characterize Kennedy's
comments? - CORRECT ANSWER: An inference & A weak argument & A proposition
"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. - CORRECT ANSWER: - We
cannot go out until the restaurant opens.
- We are trying to save money.
"There are not any good seafood restaurants in this city. I tried two, and they were both
terrible." Which fallacy of weak induction best describes this example? - CORRECT
ANSWER: Hasty generalization
95% of American citizens are billionaires. Sam is an American citizen. Therefore, Sam
is a billionaire. Which set of terms classify this argument? - CORRECT ANSWER: Valid
and unsound & Strong and uncogent
A flight attendant accidentally spills a drink on a passenger. The passenger tells a friend
that the flight attendants for the airline are incompetent.Which fallacy of weak induction
best describes this example? - CORRECT ANSWER: Hasty generalization
A formal fallacy concerns _______, but an informal fallacy concerns _______. -
CORRECT ANSWER: the structure of an argument
By definition, a formal fallacy concerns the structure of an argument and an informal
fallacy concerns the information contained in the argument's structure.
A formal fallacy is a type of _______. - CORRECT ANSWER: Bad argument structure
Formality is associated with structure.
A FORMAL FALLACY IS A TYPE OF - CORRECT ANSWER: Bad Argument Structure
A military veteran is engaged in a heated debate about national security with a reporter
who has never served in the military.
Which response best enables the veteran to undermine the reporter's argument?
- Pointing out that the premise of the reporter's argument is flawed
- Pointing out the reporter's well-known reputation for taking faulty positions
,- Pointing out the reporter's affiliation with news networks that are known to have a
political slant to their coverage
- Pointing out that the reporter has never served in the military - CORRECT ANSWER:
Pointing out that the premise of the reporter's argument is flawed
A news outlet issues a correction and an apology for incorrect information it published.
In the absence of further information, what does this news outlet's action suggest about
its credibility? - CORRECT ANSWER: The source appears credible because it is
concerned with accuracy.
A pen is a writing utensil. Sometimes, animals are kept in a pen. Thus, sometimes,
animals are kept in a writing utensil.
What fallacy is found in this argument?
- The fallacy of equivocation
- The fallacy of begging the question
- The fallacy of sweeping generalization
- The appeal to popularity fallacy - CORRECT ANSWER: The fallacy of equivocation
A person encounters an internet source with a headline of "This is NOT a hoax!" Which
conclusion would be reasonable for this person to make? - CORRECT ANSWER: The
content is sensationalized.
A person is buying a car. The car salesperson initially quotes a base price. The buyer
relies on this initial quote to make a purchasing decision despite the subsequent
addition of options that significantly increase the final price. Which cognitive bias is the
buyer exhibiting? - CORRECT ANSWER: Anchoring and adjustment
A person is considering what transportation to use when visiting a friend in a different
city. The first thing that comes to mind is a recent news story about a train crash. They
decide that the train is not a safe travel option. What kind of bias are they exhibiting? -
CORRECT ANSWER: Availability bias
A person notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social media posts, and other
information he sees on the internet mirror his personal likes and dislikes. Based on this
information, what can this person reasonably conclude? - CORRECT ANSWER:
Algorithms may be linking him with like-minded information.
A soccer fan buys a jersey with his favorite player's name and number on the back.
When the player's performance decreases, the fan attributes it to the jersey he bought.
Which fallacy of weak induction best describes this argument? - CORRECT ANSWER:
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc
A teacher talks with a student about failing to turn in homework. The student replies by
expressing a desire to dress up as a superhero for Halloween. Which response best
matches this fallacy of relevance? - CORRECT ANSWER: Red herring
, A university student surveys incoming freshmen to understand how students at the
university feel about a proposed tuition increase. Which statements are true regarding
this statistical sample? - CORRECT ANSWER: It is not representative. & It is not
random.
Ad Hominem Fallacy (Latin for "to the man") - CORRECT ANSWER: A fallacy of logic in
which a person's character or motive is attacked instead of the person's argument
Affirming the Consequent - CORRECT ANSWER: is a logical fallacy that involves taking
a true statement and assuming the converse form would be true as well. Formally, we
can represent this fallacy as follows: If X is the case, then Y is also the case. Y is true,
so X must be true as well.
Aircraft and ships have gone missing all over the planet under unknown circumstances,
but a number of these disappearances have occurred in an area of the North Atlantic
Ocean known as the Bermuda Triangle. So the claim that the Bermuda Triangle is
haunted must be true.
Which fallacy of weak induction best describes this argument?
- Burden of proof shifting
- Slippery slope
- Appeal to ignorance
- Texas sharpshooter - CORRECT ANSWER: Texas sharpshooter
Alex notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social media posts, and other
information she sees on the internet reinforce her belief that the government is
conspiring against her. Based on this information, which conclusion can Alex
reasonably have regarding her view on the issue? - CORRECT ANSWER: Her
suspicion is correct. & She cannot conclude anything.
Algorithm bubble - CORRECT ANSWER: The curated and personalized version of
online reality that a website shows you when you log on.
Alief - CORRECT ANSWER: An automatic belief-like attitude that can explain how our
instinctual responses can conflict with our reasoned-out beliefs.
All bears are wild. Smokey is a bear. Therefore, Smokey is wild. Which term describes
the argument? - CORRECT ANSWER: Deductive
All dogs are cute. Ginger is a dog. Therefore, Ginger is cute.
Which type of reasoning is illustrated in this example?
- Deductive
- Invalid
- Inductive
REASON AND EVIDENCE OBJECTIVE
ASSESSMENT EXAM LATEST 2025-2026
ACTUAL EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS
"A recent study found that dairy milk is healthier than soy milk. But that finding is
obviously false because the study was conducted by the dairy industry."
Which fallacy of relevance is depicted in this example?
- Post hoc ergo propter
- Irrelevant appeal
- Begging the question
- Genetic fallacy - CORRECT ANSWER: Genetic fallacy
"All dogs have four legs. Grover is a dog, because Grover barks like a dog. So Grover
has four legs." Which statement represents indirect support? - CORRECT ANSWER:
Grover barks like a dog.
"If magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, then magic is real. Magicians can pull rabbits
out of hats. Therefore, I know that magic is real." Which two statements represent
conjoint support when mapping this example to a body of propositions? - CORRECT
ANSWER: If magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, then magic is real. & Magicians can
pull rabbits out of hats.
"If you are not at the game rooting for our high school football team, then you must not
have any school spirit."
Which two statements accurately describe this argument? Choose 2 answers.
- The argument includes a false dichotomy..
- The argument assumes the truth of the conclusion in the premise.
- The argument contains black-and-white thinking.
- The argument mistakes causation for correlation. - CORRECT ANSWER: - The
argument includes a false dichotomy.
- The argument contains black-and-white thinking.
"Peyton is an excellent dentist, so she sings well." Which statement represents the
hidden assumption that would make this argument valid? - CORRECT ANSWER: All
excellent dentists sing well.
,"Products manufactured in our country are the best because we make the best
automobiles," declared Kennedy. Which two descriptors best characterize Kennedy's
comments? - CORRECT ANSWER: An inference & A weak argument & A proposition
"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. - CORRECT ANSWER: - We
cannot go out until the restaurant opens.
- We are trying to save money.
"There are not any good seafood restaurants in this city. I tried two, and they were both
terrible." Which fallacy of weak induction best describes this example? - CORRECT
ANSWER: Hasty generalization
95% of American citizens are billionaires. Sam is an American citizen. Therefore, Sam
is a billionaire. Which set of terms classify this argument? - CORRECT ANSWER: Valid
and unsound & Strong and uncogent
A flight attendant accidentally spills a drink on a passenger. The passenger tells a friend
that the flight attendants for the airline are incompetent.Which fallacy of weak induction
best describes this example? - CORRECT ANSWER: Hasty generalization
A formal fallacy concerns _______, but an informal fallacy concerns _______. -
CORRECT ANSWER: the structure of an argument
By definition, a formal fallacy concerns the structure of an argument and an informal
fallacy concerns the information contained in the argument's structure.
A formal fallacy is a type of _______. - CORRECT ANSWER: Bad argument structure
Formality is associated with structure.
A FORMAL FALLACY IS A TYPE OF - CORRECT ANSWER: Bad Argument Structure
A military veteran is engaged in a heated debate about national security with a reporter
who has never served in the military.
Which response best enables the veteran to undermine the reporter's argument?
- Pointing out that the premise of the reporter's argument is flawed
- Pointing out the reporter's well-known reputation for taking faulty positions
,- Pointing out the reporter's affiliation with news networks that are known to have a
political slant to their coverage
- Pointing out that the reporter has never served in the military - CORRECT ANSWER:
Pointing out that the premise of the reporter's argument is flawed
A news outlet issues a correction and an apology for incorrect information it published.
In the absence of further information, what does this news outlet's action suggest about
its credibility? - CORRECT ANSWER: The source appears credible because it is
concerned with accuracy.
A pen is a writing utensil. Sometimes, animals are kept in a pen. Thus, sometimes,
animals are kept in a writing utensil.
What fallacy is found in this argument?
- The fallacy of equivocation
- The fallacy of begging the question
- The fallacy of sweeping generalization
- The appeal to popularity fallacy - CORRECT ANSWER: The fallacy of equivocation
A person encounters an internet source with a headline of "This is NOT a hoax!" Which
conclusion would be reasonable for this person to make? - CORRECT ANSWER: The
content is sensationalized.
A person is buying a car. The car salesperson initially quotes a base price. The buyer
relies on this initial quote to make a purchasing decision despite the subsequent
addition of options that significantly increase the final price. Which cognitive bias is the
buyer exhibiting? - CORRECT ANSWER: Anchoring and adjustment
A person is considering what transportation to use when visiting a friend in a different
city. The first thing that comes to mind is a recent news story about a train crash. They
decide that the train is not a safe travel option. What kind of bias are they exhibiting? -
CORRECT ANSWER: Availability bias
A person notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social media posts, and other
information he sees on the internet mirror his personal likes and dislikes. Based on this
information, what can this person reasonably conclude? - CORRECT ANSWER:
Algorithms may be linking him with like-minded information.
A soccer fan buys a jersey with his favorite player's name and number on the back.
When the player's performance decreases, the fan attributes it to the jersey he bought.
Which fallacy of weak induction best describes this argument? - CORRECT ANSWER:
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc
A teacher talks with a student about failing to turn in homework. The student replies by
expressing a desire to dress up as a superhero for Halloween. Which response best
matches this fallacy of relevance? - CORRECT ANSWER: Red herring
, A university student surveys incoming freshmen to understand how students at the
university feel about a proposed tuition increase. Which statements are true regarding
this statistical sample? - CORRECT ANSWER: It is not representative. & It is not
random.
Ad Hominem Fallacy (Latin for "to the man") - CORRECT ANSWER: A fallacy of logic in
which a person's character or motive is attacked instead of the person's argument
Affirming the Consequent - CORRECT ANSWER: is a logical fallacy that involves taking
a true statement and assuming the converse form would be true as well. Formally, we
can represent this fallacy as follows: If X is the case, then Y is also the case. Y is true,
so X must be true as well.
Aircraft and ships have gone missing all over the planet under unknown circumstances,
but a number of these disappearances have occurred in an area of the North Atlantic
Ocean known as the Bermuda Triangle. So the claim that the Bermuda Triangle is
haunted must be true.
Which fallacy of weak induction best describes this argument?
- Burden of proof shifting
- Slippery slope
- Appeal to ignorance
- Texas sharpshooter - CORRECT ANSWER: Texas sharpshooter
Alex notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social media posts, and other
information she sees on the internet reinforce her belief that the government is
conspiring against her. Based on this information, which conclusion can Alex
reasonably have regarding her view on the issue? - CORRECT ANSWER: Her
suspicion is correct. & She cannot conclude anything.
Algorithm bubble - CORRECT ANSWER: The curated and personalized version of
online reality that a website shows you when you log on.
Alief - CORRECT ANSWER: An automatic belief-like attitude that can explain how our
instinctual responses can conflict with our reasoned-out beliefs.
All bears are wild. Smokey is a bear. Therefore, Smokey is wild. Which term describes
the argument? - CORRECT ANSWER: Deductive
All dogs are cute. Ginger is a dog. Therefore, Ginger is cute.
Which type of reasoning is illustrated in this example?
- Deductive
- Invalid
- Inductive
