Mettl Critical Thinking 5

Question 1

A quality control manager reviews defect data for six months and concludes that Fridays have the highest defect rate. The most critical next step before making policy changes is to:

Accepted Answer

Determine whether the pattern is statistically significant or could be due to random variation.

Answer

Small samples or random fluctuation can create apparent patterns; statistical significance testing determines whether the pattern is real.

Question 2

Which of the following best represents an 'ad hominem' fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Dismissing a climate report because the scientist who wrote it once declared bankruptcy

Answer

Ad hominem attacks the person rather than the argument; personal financial history is irrelevant to scientific methodology.

Question 3

Two employees interpret the same customer satisfaction data differently: one sees improvement, the other sees decline. The most likely reason is:

Accepted Answer

They are applying different benchmarks or time frames to the same data.

Answer

Different reference points, time periods, or metrics can lead to conflicting valid interpretations of the same dataset.

Question 4

Which of the following is the best example of an 'if-then' conditional statement being used in a logically valid modus tollens form?

Accepted Answer

If it rains, the ground is wet. The ground is not wet. Therefore it did not rain.

Answer

Modus tollens: 'If P then Q; not Q; therefore not P'—denying the consequent to deny the antecedent.

Question 5

A financial advisor recommends a fund solely because it had the highest returns over the past three years. A critical thinker would challenge this recommendation by noting:

Accepted Answer

Past performance is not a reliable predictor of future returns.

Answer

Extrapolating future performance from past results ignores regression to the mean and changing market conditions.

Mettl Practice Test

Mettl Practice Test

Mettl Critical Thinking 5