Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A newspaper reports: 'Unemployment in the region is at 6.2%.' A commentator states: 'The regional economy is struggling.' The commentator's statement is:
- A fact because unemployment data directly measures economic health.
- An inference because 6.2% unemployment does not by itself define 'struggling.' (Correct answer)
- A verified economic assessment consistent with standard benchmarks.
- A value judgment that contradicts the factual data.
Correct answer: An inference because 6.2% unemployment does not by itself define 'struggling.'
Whether 6.2% constitutes 'struggling' depends on context and interpretation beyond the raw statistic.
Question 2: Which of the following most clearly illustrates the difference between a fact and an inference?
- Facts use formal language; inferences use casual language.
- Facts describe what was observed; inferences describe what it means or implies. (Correct answer)
- Facts are short; inferences are long and detailed.
- Facts appear in newspapers; inferences appear in academic papers.
Correct answer: Facts describe what was observed; inferences describe what it means or implies.
The core distinction is that facts report observations while inferences interpret or extend beyond those observations.
Question 3: Passage: 'The defendant was seen leaving the building at 10:15 p.m.' A juror concludes, 'The defendant committed the crime.' This conclusion is:
- A fact because the witness testimony places the defendant at the scene.
- An inference because presence at a location does not prove commission of a crime. (Correct answer)
- A legal finding equivalent to evidence in court.
- A reasonable assumption that meets the standard of proof.
Correct answer: An inference because presence at a location does not prove commission of a crime.
Being seen leaving a building establishes location, not guilt; the juror's conclusion requires additional evidence.
Question 4: A student scores 92 on a math test. Her teacher says, 'She is a gifted mathematician.' The teacher's statement is:
- A fact because the test score objectively demonstrates ability.
- An inference because one test score does not fully define mathematical giftedness. (Correct answer)
- A confirmed assessment based on standardized scoring criteria.
- A value judgment unrelated to the test result.
Correct answer: An inference because one test score does not fully define mathematical giftedness.
A single test score supports an inference about ability but does not conclusively establish giftedness.
Question 5: Which of the following is TRUE about facts in critical thinking?
- Facts are always more useful than inferences for decision-making.
- Facts can be verified through direct observation or reliable evidence. (Correct answer)
- Facts are absolute and never subject to revision.
- Facts must come from official government or scientific sources.
Correct answer: Facts can be verified through direct observation or reliable evidence.
The defining feature of a fact is that it can be verified through observation or credible evidence, regardless of source.
Question 6: A CEO announces: 'Our product received 4.8 out of 5 stars across 10,000 reviews.' A stakeholder then concludes: 'Customers love this product.' Which best describes these two statements?
- Both are facts because reviews are measurable data.
- The CEO's statement is a fact; the stakeholder's is an inference. (Correct answer)
- Both are inferences because reviews reflect subjective opinion.
- The CEO's statement is an inference; the stakeholder's is a fact.
Correct answer: The CEO's statement is a fact; the stakeholder's is an inference.
The star rating and review count are verifiable data; 'customers love the product' interprets sentiment beyond what the numbers strictly prove.
Question 7: An inference is described as 'probably true' on the Watson-Glaser test when:
- It directly contradicts the presented facts.
- The evidence makes it more likely true than false, though not certain. (Correct answer)
- It is supported by a recognized expert's opinion.
- It has been confirmed by a second independent source.
Correct answer: The evidence makes it more likely true than false, though not certain.
On the Watson-Glaser scale, 'probably true' means the inference is more likely than not given the evidence, without certainty.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences 4
A newspaper reports: 'Unemployment in the region is at 6.2%.' A commentator states: 'The regional economy is struggling.' The commentator's statement is: