Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions Questions and Answers

Question 1

Statement: 'We need to hire more data analysts because our company's future success depends on making data-driven decisions.' Which of the following is an unstated assumption made by the speaker?

Accepted Answer

The company currently lacks the capacity to make the quantity or quality of data-driven decisions required for future success.

Answer

The company currently has a sufficient number of employees in other departments.

Answer

Data-driven decisions are always more profitable than decisions based on intuition.

Answer

Data analysts are the only employees who can contribute to data-driven decisions.

Question 2

Scenario: A city council member argues, 'We must invest in building a new light rail system to alleviate traffic congestion.' What is a necessary assumption underlying this argument?

Accepted Answer

A significant number of commuters will choose to use the new light rail system instead of driving their cars.

Answer

The new light rail system will be the most expensive infrastructure project the city has ever undertaken.

Answer

Existing public transportation options, like buses, are currently operating at maximum capacity.

Answer

Traffic congestion is the single most important issue facing the city today.

Question 3

Statement: 'Our company is implementing a mandatory wellness program for all employees to reduce healthcare costs.' Which of the following is an assumption the company is making?

Accepted Answer

Employees' health behaviors have a significant impact on the company's healthcare costs.

Answer

All employees will willingly participate in the wellness program.

Answer

The wellness program will be the only factor influencing the company's healthcare costs.

Answer

The wellness program will improve employee morale and productivity.

Question 4

Scenario: A marketing director states, 'We should shift our entire advertising budget to social media platforms because that's where younger consumers spend most of their time.' Which of the following is an unstated assumption in this line of reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The presence of younger consumers on social media platforms will directly translate into sales for the company's products.

Answer

Traditional advertising mediums like television and print are no longer effective for any demographic.

Answer

Social media advertising is less expensive than traditional advertising.

Answer

The company has the expertise to create effective social media advertising campaigns.

Question 5

Statement: 'To improve our national security, we must increase surveillance of all digital communications.' Which of the following assumptions is necessary for this argument to be valid?

Accepted Answer

The current level of surveillance is inadequate to prevent security threats.

Answer

Increased surveillance will not infringe upon citizens' right to privacy.

Answer

Terrorists and other threats to national security exclusively use digital communication.

Answer

Other countries with high levels of surveillance have lower crime rates.

Question 6

Scenario: An educational consultant advises a school district, 'Every student should be provided with a personal laptop to improve academic outcomes.' Which of the following is an unstated assumption made by the consultant?

Accepted Answer

Students currently lack sufficient access to technology to support their learning.

Answer

The school district can afford to provide a personal laptop to every student.

Answer

Teachers will not require any additional training to integrate laptops into their curriculum.

Answer

Providing personal laptops is the only way to improve academic outcomes.