WGU - Critical Thinking and Evidence
Pre-Assessment QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Which sentence reflects strong critical thinking? - ANSWER-"In any event, our purpose is to better
understand the relevant issues so that we may make an informed decision on the topic."
Since inflation is rising rapidly, and because we are approaching the point at which reversal is not
possible, it follows that we need to institute a new economic policy, and we need to act
quickly.Which two statements contain premises of the given argument? - ANSWER-Inflation is
rising rapidly; We are approaching the point at which reversal is not possible.
"Products manufactured in our country are the best because we make the best automobiles,"
declared Kennedy. Which two descriptors best characterize Kennedy's comments? - ANSWER-An
inference; A weak argument
Which two sentences are propositions? - ANSWER-Lending helps stimulate capital investment. & A
strong economy is vital to national security.
"I have grown bored since last week." Which descriptor accurately characterizes this sentence? -
ANSWER-Proposition
"Usually when home team fans come out smiling and celebrating at the conclusion of a match,
that means the home team won. At the conclusion of the match, many home team fans came out
smiling and celebrating. I, therefore, concluded that the home team won." Which term describes
this argument? - ANSWER-Inductive
"I have seen the sun rise every day for many years. I, therefore, conclude that the sun will rise
again tomorrow." Which term describes this argument? - ANSWER-Cogent
"All bears are wild. Smokey is a bear. Therefore, Smokey is wild." Which term describes the
argument? - ANSWER-Deductive
"People should pay their taxes since paying taxes is the right thing to do." Which type of logic error
is this an example of? - ANSWER-Begging the question
, "One should not speed because speeding is wrong." Which type of logic error is this an example
of? - ANSWER-Begging the question
"My opponent argues that kangaroos can hop because hopping is something that kangaroos are
able to do. Since my opponent has committed the fallacy of begging the question, one must infer
that their conclusion is false, and that kangaroos cannot hop." Which type of logic error is this an
example of? - ANSWER-The fallacy fallacy
"If Bo is kind, then Bo is wealthy. Bo is wealthy. Therefore, Bo is kind." This is an example of which
type of logic error? - ANSWER-Affirming the consequent
Which type of logic error is the following argument an example of? "My opponents argue that all
giraffes have long necks because anyone who disagrees is a fool. Since my opponents are guilty of
the ad hominem fallacy, we must infer that their conclusion is false, and that giraffes do not have
long necks." - ANSWER-The fallacy fallacy
Which statement is accurate regarding bias in information sources? - ANSWER-All sources have
bias, but some are more credible than others.
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? -
ANSWER-The source appears credible because it is concerned with accuracy.
Which two characterizations are most accurate regarding the credibility of information sources? -
ANSWER-Sources may lack credibility for a variety of reasons. & The credibility of sources spans a
spectrum.
Why is identifying the author essential in determining a source's credibility? - ANSWER-It helps to
determine if the author has relevant expertise.
What is a logical step for critical thinkers to take if they are uncertain about the reliability of a
source? - ANSWER-Verify the reliability of a source by cross-referencing with additional source
materials.
Which statement represents a logical reaction to a source claiming to be free from bias? -
ANSWER-"This can't be true because all sources contain bias."
Pre-Assessment QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Which sentence reflects strong critical thinking? - ANSWER-"In any event, our purpose is to better
understand the relevant issues so that we may make an informed decision on the topic."
Since inflation is rising rapidly, and because we are approaching the point at which reversal is not
possible, it follows that we need to institute a new economic policy, and we need to act
quickly.Which two statements contain premises of the given argument? - ANSWER-Inflation is
rising rapidly; We are approaching the point at which reversal is not possible.
"Products manufactured in our country are the best because we make the best automobiles,"
declared Kennedy. Which two descriptors best characterize Kennedy's comments? - ANSWER-An
inference; A weak argument
Which two sentences are propositions? - ANSWER-Lending helps stimulate capital investment. & A
strong economy is vital to national security.
"I have grown bored since last week." Which descriptor accurately characterizes this sentence? -
ANSWER-Proposition
"Usually when home team fans come out smiling and celebrating at the conclusion of a match,
that means the home team won. At the conclusion of the match, many home team fans came out
smiling and celebrating. I, therefore, concluded that the home team won." Which term describes
this argument? - ANSWER-Inductive
"I have seen the sun rise every day for many years. I, therefore, conclude that the sun will rise
again tomorrow." Which term describes this argument? - ANSWER-Cogent
"All bears are wild. Smokey is a bear. Therefore, Smokey is wild." Which term describes the
argument? - ANSWER-Deductive
"People should pay their taxes since paying taxes is the right thing to do." Which type of logic error
is this an example of? - ANSWER-Begging the question
, "One should not speed because speeding is wrong." Which type of logic error is this an example
of? - ANSWER-Begging the question
"My opponent argues that kangaroos can hop because hopping is something that kangaroos are
able to do. Since my opponent has committed the fallacy of begging the question, one must infer
that their conclusion is false, and that kangaroos cannot hop." Which type of logic error is this an
example of? - ANSWER-The fallacy fallacy
"If Bo is kind, then Bo is wealthy. Bo is wealthy. Therefore, Bo is kind." This is an example of which
type of logic error? - ANSWER-Affirming the consequent
Which type of logic error is the following argument an example of? "My opponents argue that all
giraffes have long necks because anyone who disagrees is a fool. Since my opponents are guilty of
the ad hominem fallacy, we must infer that their conclusion is false, and that giraffes do not have
long necks." - ANSWER-The fallacy fallacy
Which statement is accurate regarding bias in information sources? - ANSWER-All sources have
bias, but some are more credible than others.
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? -
ANSWER-The source appears credible because it is concerned with accuracy.
Which two characterizations are most accurate regarding the credibility of information sources? -
ANSWER-Sources may lack credibility for a variety of reasons. & The credibility of sources spans a
spectrum.
Why is identifying the author essential in determining a source's credibility? - ANSWER-It helps to
determine if the author has relevant expertise.
What is a logical step for critical thinkers to take if they are uncertain about the reliability of a
source? - ANSWER-Verify the reliability of a source by cross-referencing with additional source
materials.
Which statement represents a logical reaction to a source claiming to be free from bias? -
ANSWER-"This can't be true because all sources contain bias."
