WGU - Critical Thinking and Evidence Pre-Assessment with 100% correct answers 2025-2026

Which sentence reflects strong critical thinking?

"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?

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?

An inference; A weak argument

Which two sentences are propositions?

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?

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?

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?

Cogent

"All bears are wild. Smokey is a bear. Therefore, Smokey is wild." Which term describes the argument?

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?

Begging the question

"One should not speed because speeding is wrong." Which type of logic error is this an example of?

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?

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?

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."

The fallacy fallacy

Which statement is accurate regarding bias in information sources?

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?

The source appears credible because it is concerned with accuracy.

Which two characterizations are most accurate regarding the credibility of information sources?

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?

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?

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?

"This can't be true because all sources contain bias."

How could podcasts, newscasts, and talk radio be less biased?

By featuring experts who offer contrary viewpoints.

What are two ways in which the internet has complicated a critical thinking approach to finding reliable sources?

Sources are more easily located yet not consistently credible. & Sources are more easily located but still need to be verified.

Which factor should people focus on when evaluating internet-based information sources for credibility?

Content

Why should people read other articles published by the same source when they locate an article of interest on the internet?

To determine whether the source publishes sensationalized or overtly biased stories.

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?

The content is sensationalized.

For which two reasons do critical thinkers follow the principle of charity?

To present a more convincing argument. & To discover the truth.

Which two descriptions accurately characterize the nature of human beliefs?

Subject to bias. & Sometimes irrational.

Why can heuristics be advantageous?

They enable individuals to make quick decisions.

"An individual read a report that professional athletes spend an average of thirty hours per week exercising at the gym. Based on this report, the individual concludes that people who belong to a gym spend an average of thirty hours per week exercising." Which concept does this conclusion illustrate?

Selection bias.

"Quinn favors strict industry regulations. Robin disagrees because they would increase costs for many businesses and stifle the economy. Robin does, however, understand and acknowledge that industrial operations have environmental and social impacts and that regulatory measures may help prevent unnecessary harm." Which argumentation concept does this passage illustrate?

The principle of charity.

Which argumentation concept does the following passage illustrate? "Some people point to the large number of unidentified flying object sightings and the discovery of many earth-like planets in the universe as evidence of extraterrestrial life. I don't take this evidence seriously, though, because I do not believe in extraterrestrial life."

Confirmation bias.

"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?

Anchoring and adjustment.

"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?

It is not representative. & It is not random.

"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?

She cannot conclude anything.

Why do strong critical thinkers monitor their own biases?

To minimize their biases. & To understand how their biases influence their thinking.

"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?

Algorithms may be linking him with like-minded information.

"95% of American citizens are billionaires. Sam is an American citizen. Therefore, Sam is a billionaire." Which set of terms classify this argument?

Strong and uncogent.

"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?

Availability bias.

"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?

Hasty generalization.

"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?

Hasty generalization.

"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?

Red herring.

"Either everyone will devour this pecan pie, or they will choose another dessert." Which two statements accurately describe this proposition?

The proposition contains black and white thinking. & The proposition includes a false dichotomy.

Which fallacy of weak induction best describes the following example? "If we allow the children to stay home from school today, they will expect to stay home every time it snows. Next they will expect to stay home whenever it rains, when it is too cold, too hot, or even too nice outside. Eventually the children will stay home from school every day."

Slippery slope.

"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?

Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.

"Peyton is an excellent dentist, so she sings well." Which statement represents the hidden assumption that would make this argument valid?

All excellent dentists sing well.

Which argument contains the general-specific pattern?

Dogs are a subspecies of a wolf and collie is a breed of dog, so collies are wolves.

"Ren is an excellent barista, so he is a master chess player." Which statement represents the hidden assumption that would best complete this argument?

Anyone who is an excellent barista must be a master chess player.

"Traces of ammonia have been found in Mars' atmosphere. So there must be life on Mars." Which statement summarizes the hidden assumption in the given argument?

Only living things produce ammonia.

"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?

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?

"If magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, then magic is real." & "Magicians can pull rabbits out of hats."

Which two sentences reflect strong critical thinking?

"My opponent's position is contrary to mine; my opponent, however, raises some good questions." & "I am unsure of the answer; I will need to research the issue further."

Which two statements best characterize the following argument? "Coffee has caffeine; therefore, it has stimulating effects."

The argument includes a single premise. & The argument includes a single conclusion.