Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Flashcards
7 cards from real TALENTLENS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking flashcards as text
In the Watson-Glaser framework, 'inference' is best defined as:
Answer: A conclusion drawn from observed or assumed facts
Inference involves drawing a conclusion that goes beyond what is directly stated, based on available evidence.
Passage: 'A hospital reduced readmission rates by 20% after implementing a discharge checklist.' Which inference is MOST justified from this passage alone?
Answer: The checklist may have contributed to better patient preparation at discharge
The passage supports a cautious inference of possible contribution but does not prove exclusive causation or universal applicability.
Which of the following statements is an ASSUMPTION rather than a stated fact in this argument: 'We should hire more engineers because our product launch is delayed'?
Answer: Adding engineers will speed up the product launch
The argument assumes more engineers will solve the delay, but this causal link is not stated and may not hold.
A debater argues: 'My opponent has been wrong about economic policy before, so his climate proposal cannot be trusted.' This is an example of:
Answer: Ad hominem fallacy
Attacking a person's past record rather than the merits of their argument is an ad hominem fallacy.
Evaluate this deduction: 'All mammals are warm-blooded. Dolphins are mammals. Therefore, dolphins are warm-blooded.' This argument is:
Answer: Valid and sound
Both premises are true and the conclusion follows necessarily, making the argument both valid and sound.
A report states that cities with more bicycle lanes have lower rates of obesity. A health advocate concludes that building bicycle lanes reduces obesity. A critical thinker would note that:
Answer: Healthier cities may build more bike lanes because residents already prefer active transport
Reverse causation is a key alternative explanation: culture of health may drive both lane construction and lower obesity rates.
Which of the following BEST illustrates strong critical thinking when evaluating a news source?
Answer: Checking whether the article cites verifiable primary sources and acknowledges counterevidence
Evaluating primary sources and counterevidence addresses the core epistemic quality of the reporting.