Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

Which of the following is a FACT rather than an inference? Statement context: A company's annual report shows revenue of $4.2 million and a net loss of $800,000 for the fiscal year.

Accepted Answer

The company had a net loss of $800,000 for the fiscal year.

Answer

The net loss figure is directly reported in the annual report — it is an observable, verifiable datum, not a conclusion drawn from reasoning.

Question 2

A news article reports: 'Unemployment in the region fell from 8.3% to 6.1% over 12 months.' Which statement is an inference rather than a fact?

Accepted Answer

The government's economic policies caused unemployment to fall.

Answer

Attributing the unemployment fall to government policies is a causal conclusion not contained in the reported data — it requires additional assumptions about causation.

Question 3

Statement: 'The suspect's fingerprints were found at the crime scene, and he was seen in the vicinity at the time of the crime.' Which is a FACT?

Accepted Answer

The suspect's fingerprints were found at the scene.

Answer

The presence of fingerprints at the scene is the only statement directly supported by the given information — it does not require any inferential step.

Question 4

A weather report states: 'Temperatures dropped 15°C over six hours, and snowfall began at 11 PM.' Which of the following is an inference?

Accepted Answer

A cold front moved through the area causing the temperature drop and snow.

Answer

Attributing the drop and snow to a 'cold front' is a meteorological causal explanation that goes beyond what the weather report stated — it is an inference.

Question 5

A school announces: 'Student A scored 95/100 on the mathematics exam; Student B scored 62/100.' Which is an inference?

Accepted Answer

Student A understands mathematics better than Student B.

Answer

Concluding that Student A 'understands mathematics better' goes beyond test scores — test performance can reflect preparation, anxiety, or luck rather than fundamental understanding.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 2