Mettl Critical Thinking 2

Question 1

A manager notices that every time sales increase, customer complaints also increase. She concludes that high sales cause more complaints. What logical error has she made?

Accepted Answer

Correlation vs. causation

Answer

Correlation between two variables does not establish that one causes the other; a third factor (e.g., higher order volume) could explain both.

Question 2

Which of the following best illustrates deductive reasoning?

Accepted Answer

All mammals breathe air; dolphins are mammals; therefore dolphins breathe air.

Answer

Deductive reasoning draws a certain conclusion from general premises that guarantee the result if the premises are true.

Question 3

An analyst argues: 'We should adopt Policy X because our competitor adopted it and their profits rose.' What assumption is being made?

Accepted Answer

Policy X is the reason the competitor's profits rose.

Answer

The argument assumes a causal link between Policy X and the competitor's profit increase, which has not been demonstrated.

Question 4

A study finds that students who eat breakfast score higher on tests. A school administrator concludes that serving free breakfast will raise all students' test scores. Which of the following, if true, most weakens this conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Students who already perform well are more likely to eat breakfast regardless.

Answer

If high-performing students are simply more likely to eat breakfast, the correlation does not mean breakfast causes better performance.

Question 5

Which argument structure commits the 'straw man' fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Person A says we should reduce sugar in school lunches; Person B argues Person A wants to ban all food from schools.

Answer

A straw man fallacy misrepresents an opponent's position to make it easier to attack.

Mettl Practice Test

Mettl Practice Test

Mettl Critical Thinking 2