EA Critical Reasoning

Question 1

A company claims that installing ergonomic chairs reduced employee sick days by 20%. Which of the following, if true, most weakens this conclusion?

Accepted Answer

The company also introduced a wellness program at the same time.

Answer

Ergonomic chairs are more expensive than standard chairs.

Answer

Sick days increased at a competitor company last year.

Answer

Employees reported higher job satisfaction after the chair installation.

Question 2

Study: Cities that ban plastic bags report 15% less plastic litter. Conclusion: banning plastic bags reduces plastic litter. Which assumption underlies this argument?

Accepted Answer

The reduction is not due to other concurrent cleanup programs.

Answer

All plastic litter comes from plastic bags.

Answer

Plastic bags are the most common form of litter.

Answer

Citizens in these cities are more environmentally conscious.

Question 3

A business argues: 'Our customer satisfaction score rose from 70% to 80%, proving our new training program works.' What is the flaw in this reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The increase could be due to factors other than the training program.

Answer

A 10-point increase is too small to be meaningful.

Answer

Customer satisfaction scores are unreliable metrics.

Answer

The training program cost more than the benefit.

Question 4

All A-rated suppliers meet delivery deadlines. Supplier X does not meet delivery deadlines. What can be concluded?

Accepted Answer

Supplier X is not an A-rated supplier.

Answer

Supplier X is a B-rated supplier.

Answer

A-rated suppliers never have delays.

Answer

Supplier X has poor quality products.

Question 5

A manager argues against a new policy by saying, 'We've never had a data breach, so we don't need enhanced cybersecurity.' This is an example of which reasoning error?

Accepted Answer

Appeal to ignorance

Answer

False analogy

Answer

Circular reasoning

Answer

Slippery slope

Question 6

A survey shows 75% of customers prefer Brand A. The conclusion is that Brand A is the market leader. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen this conclusion?

Accepted Answer

The survey sampled 10,000 randomly selected customers nationwide.

Answer

Brand A spends the most on advertising.

Answer

Brand A has the lowest price in the market.

Answer

The survey was conducted by Brand A's marketing department.