Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Drawing Deductive Conclusions Questions and Answers

Question 1

Read the following premises: All members of the finance committee are also on the advisory board. John is on the advisory board. Which of the following conclusions can be logically deduced?

Accepted Answer

No certain conclusion can be drawn about John's membership on the finance committee.

Answer

John is a member of the finance committee.

Answer

Some members of the advisory board are not on the finance committee.

Answer

All members of the advisory board are on the finance committee.

Question 2

Scenario: If a company invests in new technology, its productivity will increase. If productivity increases, profits will rise. The company has invested in new technology. Based only on these statements, which conclusion must be true?

Accepted Answer

The company's profits will rise.

Answer

The company's profits have not yet risen.

Answer

Productivity will not increase if the company doesn't invest in new technology.

Answer

The company's investment was the most profitable decision.

Question 3

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a deductively valid conclusion?

Accepted Answer

If the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true.

Answer

The conclusion is likely to be true if the premises are true.

Answer

The conclusion is based on specific observations to form a general rule.

Answer

The conclusion provides new information not contained in the premises.

Question 4

Premises: Some of the senior partners at the law firm are attending the conference. Everyone attending the conference will receive a new tablet. Based on these premises, which conclusion can be logically deduced?

Accepted Answer

Some of the senior partners at the law firm will receive a new tablet.

Answer

All senior partners at the law firm will receive a new tablet.

Answer

No senior partners who are not at the conference will receive a new tablet.

Answer

Everyone who receives a new tablet is a senior partner.

Question 5

Scenario: All certified accountants must pass a professional ethics exam. Maria is a certified accountant. What can be deduced from these statements?

Accepted Answer

Maria has passed the professional ethics exam.

Answer

Maria found the ethics exam to be difficult.

Answer

Anyone who has passed the ethics exam is a certified accountant.

Answer

Maria is a newly certified accountant.

Question 6

Premises: No vehicles that fail the emissions test are allowed on the road. Mr. Smith's car is allowed on the road. Which of the following is a valid deductive conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Mr. Smith's car passed the emissions test.

Answer

All cars on the road have passed the emissions test.

Answer

Mr. Smith's car is new.

Answer

Some vehicles that fail the emissions test are still on the road.