ATSW Critical Thinking 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A teacher notices that students consistently score lower on word problems than on equivalent numerical problems. Which critical thinking approach best addresses the root cause?
- Provide more numerical drills to build confidence
- Analyze whether language complexity or reasoning gaps are the barrier (Correct answer)
- Assign fewer word problems to reduce frustration
- Group students by prior math scores
Correct answer: Analyze whether language complexity or reasoning gaps are the barrier
Diagnosing the specific barrier (language vs. reasoning) allows targeted intervention rather than treating a symptom.
Question 2: Which of the following best illustrates an ad hominem fallacy in a classroom discussion?
- Arguing that a study is flawed because its sample size was too small
- Dismissing a student's argument because the student rarely does homework (Correct answer)
- Questioning an author's credentials before accepting a claim
- Pointing out that two premises in an argument contradict each other
Correct answer: Dismissing a student's argument because the student rarely does homework
Ad hominem attacks the person making an argument rather than the argument itself.
Question 3: A student concludes, 'Every scientist I've read supports this theory, so it must be correct.' This reasoning reflects which flaw?
- False dichotomy
- Appeal to authority without evaluating evidence (Correct answer)
- Post hoc reasoning
- Circular reasoning
Correct answer: Appeal to authority without evaluating evidence
Accepting a claim solely because authorities endorse it, without examining the underlying evidence, is an uncritical appeal to authority.
Question 4: When evaluating a primary source, a critical thinker should FIRST consider which of the following?
- How the source compares to the textbook account
- The author's purpose, audience, and potential bias (Correct answer)
- Whether the source is available online
- The length and publication date of the source
Correct answer: The author's purpose, audience, and potential bias
Understanding the author's purpose and potential biases is foundational to accurately interpreting any primary source.
Question 5: A teacher wants students to practice inductive reasoning. Which task best develops this skill?
- Applying a given formula to solve a set of equations
- Observing multiple examples and forming a general rule (Correct answer)
- Using a proven theorem to derive a specific result
- Memorizing definitions of logical terms
Correct answer: Observing multiple examples and forming a general rule
Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to a general conclusion, which is practiced by examining multiple examples.
Question 6: Which of the following questions best promotes metacognitive critical thinking in students?
- What is the correct answer to this problem?
- Which chapter covers this topic?
- How did you decide on your approach, and what would you change? (Correct answer)
- Can you restate the question in your own words?
Correct answer: How did you decide on your approach, and what would you change?
Asking students to reflect on their own decision-making process develops metacognitive awareness alongside critical thinking.
Question 7: A student argues: 'We should adopt this new reading program because our school tried it last year and test scores improved.' What critical question should be asked?
- Was the program expensive?
- Could other factors—such as a new teacher or smaller class size—explain the improvement? (Correct answer)
- Is the program popular in other districts?
- How long has the program existed?
Correct answer: Could other factors—such as a new teacher or smaller class size—explain the improvement?
Correlation does not establish causation; alternative explanations must be ruled out before attributing the improvement to the program.
ATSW Critical Thinking 2
A teacher notices that students consistently score lower on word problems than on equivalent numerical problems.
Which critical thinking approach best addresses the root cause?