ATSW Critical Thinking 5

Question 1

A student claims, 'My essay must be good because my friend said so.' Which critical thinking principle does this violate?

Accepted Answer

The principle that evidence should be objective and verifiable, not based solely on personal testimony

Answer

A single personal opinion, especially from someone with a personal relationship, is not objective, verifiable evidence.

Question 2

Which of the following BEST distinguishes critical thinking from creative thinking?

Accepted Answer

Critical thinking evaluates and analyzes arguments using evidence; creative thinking generates new possibilities.

Answer

Critical thinking is primarily evaluative—assessing the validity and quality of ideas—while creative thinking is primarily generative.

Question 3

A teacher wants to measure whether students can identify the logical structure of an argument. The BEST assessment task would be:

Accepted Answer

Ask students to identify the claim, evidence, and reasoning in a sample argument

Answer

Mapping a claim to its evidence and reasoning directly assesses understanding of argument structure.

Question 4

Which scenario illustrates a teacher modeling critical thinking for students?

Accepted Answer

Thinking aloud while questioning the assumptions and evidence in a text before drawing a conclusion

Answer

Think-alouds that explicitly question assumptions and evaluate evidence make the critical thinking process visible to students.

Question 5

A false dichotomy presents a problem as having only two options when more exist. Which statement is an example?

Accepted Answer

Students either love reading or they are struggling readers who need intervention.

Answer

Labeling all students as either loving or struggling with reading ignores the wide spectrum of reading attitudes and abilities.

(ATSW) Assessment of Teaching Skills Written Practice Test