Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Argument Relevance Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

Question: 'Should cities ban single-use plastic bags?' Argument: 'Plastic bags cause significant marine pollution, harming ocean ecosystems and wildlife.' Is this argument strong and relevant?

Accepted Answer

Yes — marine pollution from plastic bags is directly relevant to the environmental harm the ban aims to prevent.

Answer

No — marine pollution only affects wildlife, not humans, so it is irrelevant to city policy.

Answer

No — a city ban cannot solve global ocean pollution.

Answer

Yes — but only if the city is located near the ocean.

Question 2

Question: 'Should employers be required to provide paid parental leave?' Argument: 'Many European countries offer paid parental leave and have strong economies.' Is this argument strong and relevant?

Accepted Answer

No — correlation between paid leave and economic strength does not prove causation; other factors explain European economies.

Answer

Yes — European examples prove that paid leave works economically.

Answer

Yes — if European countries do it, all countries should follow.

Answer

No — parental leave policies are irrelevant to employment law.

Question 3

Question: 'Should governments fund public arts programs?' Argument: 'Arts programs provide economic benefits through tourism, employment, and increased property values in cultural districts.' Is this argument strong and relevant?

Accepted Answer

Yes — economic returns from arts programs are directly relevant to the cost-benefit analysis of public funding.

Answer

No — governments should only fund programs with direct social welfare benefits.

Answer

No — not all arts programs generate tourism or raise property values.

Answer

Yes — but only if the arts programs feature internationally recognized artists.

Question 4

Question: 'Should the minimum wage be increased?' Argument: 'The CEO of a fast-food chain has publicly opposed minimum wage increases.' Is this argument strong and relevant?

Accepted Answer

No — citing who opposes the policy is not a substantive argument about the policy's merits or harms.

Answer

Yes — industry leaders have important insights into wage policy impacts.

Answer

Yes — if business owners oppose it, the increase will harm the economy.

Answer

No — only economists can make relevant arguments about wage policy.

Question 5

Question: 'Should universities be tuition-free?' Argument: 'Students who attend university earn significantly higher lifetime incomes than those who do not.' Is this argument strong and relevant?

Accepted Answer

Yes — higher earnings generate more tax revenue, partly justifying public investment in higher education.

Answer

No — higher earnings benefit individuals, not governments, so this is irrelevant to funding policy.

Answer

No — tuition costs are unrelated to post-graduation income.

Answer

Yes — this proves universities should be free because students benefit from them.

Question 6

Question: 'Should social media companies be required to verify user ages?' Argument: 'Verified age systems used by online retailers have successfully prevented minors from purchasing age-restricted products.' Is this argument strong and relevant?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it shows that age verification technology exists and works in analogous contexts.

Answer

No — online retail is completely different from social media, making this comparison irrelevant.

Answer

Yes — but only if social media platforms adopt the exact same system as retailers.

Answer

No — age verification harms user privacy regardless of context.