CCTST Interpretation 3

Question 1

You read: 'The majority of nutritionists recommend reducing sugar intake.' Which interpretation is most defensible?

Accepted Answer

More than half of nutritionists surveyed hold this recommendation.

Answer

'Majority' means more than half, so the statement supports only the claim that over 50% of nutritionists hold this view.

Question 2

A table shows that City A has 500 violent crimes and City B has 200 violent crimes per year. City A's population is 1 million; City B's is 100,000. What is the correct interpretation?

Accepted Answer

City B has a higher violent crime rate per capita than City A.

Answer

City B's rate is 200/100,000 = 0.2%, while City A's is 500/1,000,000 = 0.05%; City B's per-capita rate is four times higher.

Question 3

The phrase 'It is not the case that no students failed' is logically equivalent to which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Some students failed.

Answer

The double negation ('not…no') resolves to an affirmative: at least one (some) student failed.

Question 4

An article claims: 'Reading fiction improves empathy.' A careful reader should interpret this as:

Accepted Answer

A research-supported claim that likely holds on average but may have exceptions.

Answer

Empirical generalizations about psychological effects represent average tendencies with individual variation, not universal exceptionless laws.

Question 5

A witness says, 'I saw John leave the building around midnight.' The word 'around' most significantly affects the interpretation by:

Accepted Answer

Introducing imprecision about the exact time of departure.

Answer

'Around midnight' signals approximate rather than precise timing, which is critical for interpreting the evidential value of the claim.

(CCTST) California Critical Thinking Skills Test Practice Test

(CCTST) California Critical Thinking Skills Test Practice Test

CCTST Interpretation 3