Mettl Critical Thinking 2

Question 1

An advertisement claims: '9 out of 10 dentists recommend Brand X toothpaste.' What is the most important question to ask before accepting this claim?

Accepted Answer

How many dentists were surveyed and how were they selected?

Answer

The key critical thinking question is about sample size and selection — a survey of just 10 dentists (with 9 choosing Brand X) is statistically meaningless.

Question 2

A manager concludes: 'Our customer satisfaction scores rose after we changed the packaging. Therefore, the new packaging caused the improvement.' What logical fallacy is this?

Accepted Answer

Post hoc ergo propter hoc (correlation as causation)

Answer

Post hoc ergo propter hoc ('after this, therefore because of this') incorrectly assumes that because B followed A, A caused B. Other factors may have caused the improvement.

Question 3

You are reviewing a project proposal. The author has extensive credentials but the methodology has clear flaws. How should you evaluate the proposal?

Accepted Answer

Evaluate the methodology on its merits, separate from the author's credentials

Answer

Critical thinking requires evaluating arguments on their merits, not the authority of the source. This avoids 'appeal to authority' bias.

Question 4

A study finds that employees who drink coffee are more productive. A company therefore decides to provide free coffee to boost productivity. What is the critical flaw in this reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Correlation between coffee drinking and productivity doesn't establish that coffee causes productivity

Answer

Correlation does not imply causation. Coffee drinkers may be more productive for other reasons (e.g., they work longer hours, have different roles, etc.).

Question 5

Which question best exemplifies higher-order critical thinking (as per Bloom's Taxonomy)?

Accepted Answer

How would you redesign this process to eliminate the identified inefficiency?

Answer

Bloom's higher-order thinking involves analysis, evaluation, and creation. 'Redesigning a process' requires synthesis, evaluation, and creation — the top levels.

Mettl Practice Test

Mettl Practice Test

Mettl Critical Thinking 2