TalentLens Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the Watson-Glaser framework, 'inference' is best defined as:
- A conclusion drawn from observed or assumed facts (Correct answer)
- An assumption that is explicitly stated in the argument
- A judgment about whether a statement logically follows
- An evaluation of an argument's emotional appeal
Correct 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.
Question 2: Passage: 'A hospital reduced readmission rates by 20% after implementing a discharge checklist.' Which inference is MOST justified from this passage alone?
- The checklist may have contributed to better patient preparation at discharge (Correct answer)
- Discharge checklists are the most effective way to reduce readmissions
- All hospitals should immediately adopt discharge checklists
- The 20% reduction was caused entirely by nursing staff improvements
Correct 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.
Question 3: 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'?
- Adding engineers will speed up the product launch (Correct answer)
- The product launch is currently delayed
- Engineers are needed for product development
- The company is aware of the delay
Correct 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.
Question 4: A debater argues: 'My opponent has been wrong about economic policy before, so his climate proposal cannot be trusted.' This is an example of:
- Ad hominem fallacy (Correct answer)
- Straw man fallacy
- False equivalence
- Appeal to tradition
Correct answer: Ad hominem fallacy
Attacking a person's past record rather than the merits of their argument is an ad hominem fallacy.
Question 5: Evaluate this deduction: 'All mammals are warm-blooded. Dolphins are mammals. Therefore, dolphins are warm-blooded.' This argument is:
- Valid and sound (Correct answer)
- Valid but unsound
- Invalid but the conclusion is true
- Neither valid nor sound
Correct answer: Valid and sound
Both premises are true and the conclusion follows necessarily, making the argument both valid and sound.
Question 6: 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:
- Healthier cities may build more bike lanes because residents already prefer active transport (Correct answer)
- Bicycle lanes are expensive to build and maintain
- Obesity has many causes beyond physical activity
- The report does not specify which cities were studied
Correct 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.
Question 7: Which of the following BEST illustrates strong critical thinking when evaluating a news source?
- Checking whether the article cites verifiable primary sources and acknowledges counterevidence (Correct answer)
- Accepting information from outlets that have won journalism awards
- Sharing only articles that align with your existing views
- Reading the headline and first paragraph to judge credibility
Correct 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.
TalentLens Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking 3
In the Watson-Glaser framework, 'inference' is best defined as: