Caliper Assessment Verbal Reasoning and Critical Thinking 2

Question 1

You read the following: 'No projects that exceed budget are approved. This project was approved.' What can you logically conclude?

Accepted Answer

This project did not exceed budget

Answer

The project is highly profitable

Answer

The project manager is very skilled

Answer

Budget rules do not apply to this project

Question 2

Which of the following best describes 'confirmation bias' as it relates to critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

Seeking out information that confirms your existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory evidence

Answer

Confirming facts with multiple sources before drawing conclusions

Answer

Using data to confirm a hypothesis in a scientific experiment

Answer

Validating a decision by consulting with a team before acting

Question 3

A passage reads: 'Highly engaged employees are 21% more productive. Our company has high engagement scores.' Which conclusion is best supported?

Accepted Answer

Our company's productivity is likely higher than companies with low engagement

Answer

Our company's productivity is exactly 21% above the industry average

Answer

High engagement guarantees the highest productivity in the industry

Answer

Productivity and engagement are unrelated metrics

Question 4

When reading a business report, identifying the author's main argument, supporting evidence, and underlying assumptions is a process known as:

Accepted Answer

Active reading and critical analysis

Answer

Summary writing

Answer

Passive information retrieval

Answer

Semantic mapping

Question 5

Which statement most accurately reflects a 'false dichotomy' fallacy in workplace reasoning?

Accepted Answer

'Either we cut costs dramatically or the company will certainly fail.'

Answer

'We should consider several cost-reduction strategies before making a decision.'

Answer

'The data shows two main cost drivers we need to address.'

Answer

'Cost reduction is one of several priorities for this quarter.'

Question 6

In critical thinking, the term 'premise' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A statement offered as evidence or reason to support a conclusion

Answer

The final conclusion of an argument

Answer

An unverified claim made without any supporting data

Answer

The emotional appeal used to persuade an audience

Question 7

A colleague argues: 'We've always done client reviews quarterly, so we shouldn't change to monthly reviews.' This is an example of which fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Appeal to tradition

Answer

Slippery slope

Answer

False analogy

Answer

Circular reasoning