Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

Argument: 'This medication has been approved by the regulatory authority, so it is safe to take.' What is the key unstated assumption?

Accepted Answer

Regulatory approval guarantees that the medication is safe for all people in all circumstances.

Answer

The argument assumes that regulatory approval equals comprehensive safety, when approvals are based on benefit-risk balance for specific populations and do not guarantee absence of side effects for all individuals.

Question 2

Argument: 'Since Andrea speaks three languages fluently, she will be an excellent translator.' What unstated assumption is the argument making?

Accepted Answer

Speaking multiple languages fluently is sufficient to be an excellent translator.

Answer

Translation requires not just language fluency but also subject knowledge, nuanced cultural understanding, and specialized skills not implied by speaking multiple languages.

Question 3

Argument: 'The new park reduced noise complaints in the neighborhood, so it must have reduced noise levels.' What unstated assumption is this making?

Accepted Answer

Residents report noise complaints in proportion to actual noise levels they experience.

Answer

Complaint rates may fall for reasons other than reduced noise — residents may have given up complaining, moved away, or become habituated to noise levels that haven't actually changed.

Question 4

Argument: 'Lowering interest rates will stimulate the economy by encouraging businesses to borrow and invest.' What is the key unstated assumption?

Accepted Answer

Businesses are currently not investing because borrowing costs are too high, and lower rates will change this decision.

Answer

The argument assumes that borrowing cost is the binding constraint on business investment — if businesses aren't investing due to demand uncertainty or poor profit prospects, lower rates may not stimulate investment.

Question 5

Argument: 'If you want to be healthy, you should follow this celebrity's diet plan.' What unstated assumption is the argument making?

Accepted Answer

The diet plan that works for this celebrity will produce similar health results for others.

Answer

The argument assumes that what produces health outcomes for this celebrity's body, lifestyle, and metabolism will generalize to others — ignoring individual variation in metabolism, health conditions, and activity levels.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions Questions and Answers 2