Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Analyzing Conclusions Questions and Answers 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Statement: All birds in the aviary are either parrots or finches. This bird is not a parrot. Conclusion: This bird is a finch.
- The conclusion follows (Correct answer)
- The conclusion does not follow
- The conclusion is probably true
- The conclusion requires more evidence
Correct answer: The conclusion follows
Since the bird must be either a parrot or a finch, and it is not a parrot, it must be a finch.
Question 2: Statement: Most students who studied abroad reported improved language skills. Carlos studied abroad. Conclusion: Carlos has improved language skills.
- The conclusion follows with certainty
- The conclusion does not necessarily follow (Correct answer)
- The conclusion is false
- The conclusion is identical to the statement
Correct answer: The conclusion does not necessarily follow
'Most' students improved, but this does not guarantee that Carlos, a single individual, is among them.
Question 3: Statement: If productivity increases, the company meets its quarterly targets. The company did not meet its quarterly targets. Conclusion: Productivity did not increase.
- The conclusion does not follow
- The conclusion follows by modus tollens (Correct answer)
- The conclusion is an assumption
- The conclusion is ambiguous
Correct answer: The conclusion follows by modus tollens
By modus tollens (denying the consequent), if targets not met then productivity did not increase.
Question 4: Statement: Several studies link excessive screen time in children to sleep disruption. Conclusion: Limiting screen time will definitely eliminate sleep problems in all children.
- The conclusion follows directly from the studies
- The conclusion does not follow because the studies show association, not a guaranteed cure (Correct answer)
- The conclusion contradicts the studies
- The conclusion is the same as the statement
Correct answer: The conclusion does not follow because the studies show association, not a guaranteed cure
Association in multiple studies supports a link but cannot guarantee that limiting screen time will eliminate all sleep problems.
Question 5: Statement: Anyone who scores above 85 on the aptitude test is placed in the advanced track. No one in the advanced track failed the final exam. Conclusion: Anyone who scored above 85 on the aptitude test did not fail the final exam.
- The conclusion follows (Correct answer)
- The conclusion does not follow
- The conclusion is partially supported
- The conclusion is speculative
Correct answer: The conclusion follows
Scoring above 85 leads to the advanced track, and no advanced-track student failed, so high scorers did not fail.
Question 6: Statement: Either the server was overloaded or there was a network outage during the downtime. Engineers confirmed there was no network outage. Conclusion: The server was overloaded during the downtime.
- The conclusion does not follow
- The conclusion follows (Correct answer)
- The conclusion is an assumption
- The conclusion needs expert review
Correct answer: The conclusion follows
With only two possible causes and one ruled out, the other must be the cause.
Question 7: Statement: All new hires must complete onboarding within their first two weeks. Dana completed onboarding within her first two weeks. Conclusion: Dana is a new hire.
- The conclusion follows
- The conclusion does not necessarily follow (Correct answer)
- The conclusion is definitively true
- The conclusion contradicts the statement
Correct answer: The conclusion does not necessarily follow
Other employees might also complete onboarding; the rule applies to new hires but doesn't mean only new hires do it.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Analyzing Conclusions Questions and Answers 4
Statement: All birds in the aviary are either parrots or finches.
This bird is not a parrot.
Conclusion: This bird is a finch.