Which of the following exemplifies deductive reasoning?

Deductive reasoning involves drawing a specific conclusion from a general premise or set of premises. In this instance, the statement "All humans are mortal" serves as a universal premise, and the conclusion drawn about Socrates is specific. The reasoning follows a clear logical structure: since Socrates is classified as a human and all humans share the trait of mortality, it logically follows that Socrates also must be mortal. This exemplifies deductive reasoning because it starts from a general truth (the mortality of all humans) to arrive at a specific conclusion about an individual case (Socrates).

Other options do not effectively illustrate deductive reasoning as clearly. Option A presents a straightforward premise about dogs and animals but lacks the additional context that would confirm it as a deduction about a specific case. The second option discusses a situation where wet ground indicates it might have rained, but this reasoning is more aligned with inductive reasoning because it allows for alternative explanations. The third option leads to a conclusion about a specific vehicle based on the premise of all cars being able to drive; however, it could also be regarded as more of an assertion rather than a definitive deduction. Therefore, option D stands out as the clear example of deductive reasoning.