Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A store's sign reads: 'Sale ends Sunday.' A customer concludes the prices will return to normal on Monday. Which best describes the customer's conclusion? A) It is a fact because the sign states the sale ends Sunday. B) It is an inference because 'ends Sunday' does not specify what happens Monday. C) It is a fact because sales always return to regular pricing afterward. D) It is an inference only if the customer misread the sign.
- It is a fact because the sign states the sale ends Sunday.
- It is an inference because 'ends Sunday' does not specify what happens Monday. (Correct answer)
- It is a fact because sales always return to regular pricing afterward.
- It is an inference only if the customer misread the sign.
Correct answer: It is an inference because 'ends Sunday' does not specify what happens Monday.
The sign confirms the sale ends Sunday but does not state what pricing follows; assuming normal prices on Monday is an inference.
Question 2: A witness statement reads: 'I saw the defendant enter the building at 9:00 PM.' Which of the following is a fact based on this statement? A) The defendant committed the crime inside the building. B) The defendant was in the building when the crime occurred. C) A witness reported seeing the defendant enter the building at 9:00 PM. D) The defendant had planned to enter the building that night.
- The defendant committed the crime inside the building.
- The defendant was in the building when the crime occurred.
- A witness reported seeing the defendant enter the building at 9:00 PM. (Correct answer)
- The defendant had planned to enter the building that night.
Correct answer: A witness reported seeing the defendant enter the building at 9:00 PM.
The only verifiable fact is what the witness reported; the other options add conclusions about guilt, presence during the crime, or prior intent.
Question 3: A financial statement shows: 'The company's net profit increased by $2 million from last year.' Which is an inference? A) Net profit grew by $2 million compared to the prior year. B) The company earned more profit this year than last year. C) The company's management made excellent strategic decisions this year. D) The company's financial records show a $2 million profit increase.
- Net profit grew by $2 million compared to the prior year.
- The company earned more profit this year than last year.
- The company's management made excellent strategic decisions this year. (Correct answer)
- The company's financial records show a $2 million profit increase.
Correct answer: The company's management made excellent strategic decisions this year.
Attributing profit growth to excellent management decisions is an inference; many factors could explain increased profitability.
Question 4: A package label reads: 'Contains peanuts. Manufactured in a facility that also processes tree nuts.' A consumer concludes the product is dangerous for anyone with any food allergy. This conclusion is best described as: A) A fact, because the label warns about allergens. B) A fact, because all food allergies respond to the same triggers. C) An inference, because the label only specifies peanut and tree nut risks. D) An inference, because the consumer cannot read labels reliably.
- A fact, because the label warns about allergens.
- A fact, because all food allergies respond to the same triggers.
- An inference, because the label only specifies peanut and tree nut risks. (Correct answer)
- An inference, because the consumer cannot read labels reliably.
Correct answer: An inference, because the label only specifies peanut and tree nut risks.
The label specifies peanut and tree nut risks; concluding it's dangerous for all food allergies goes beyond what the label states.
Question 5: A school newsletter states: 'Attendance improved by 8% this semester.' Which of the following is a fact based only on this information? A) Students are more motivated this semester than last semester. B) The school's new attendance policy is working effectively. C) School attendance increased by 8% this semester compared to last semester. D) Attendance will continue to improve next semester.
- Students are more motivated this semester than last semester.
- The school's new attendance policy is working effectively.
- School attendance increased by 8% this semester compared to last semester. (Correct answer)
- Attendance will continue to improve next semester.
Correct answer: School attendance increased by 8% this semester compared to last semester.
The 8% attendance improvement is a directly stated fact; motivation, policy effectiveness, and future trends are inferences not supported by the statement.
Question 6: A research study notes: 'Participants who slept fewer than 6 hours reported higher stress levels.' Which statement is an inference rather than a fact? A) Participants sleeping under 6 hours reported higher stress. B) The study measured both sleep duration and stress levels. C) Lack of sleep directly causes increased stress in all people. D) Some study participants slept fewer than 6 hours per night.
- Participants sleeping under 6 hours reported higher stress.
- The study measured both sleep duration and stress levels.
- Lack of sleep directly causes increased stress in all people. (Correct answer)
- Some study participants slept fewer than 6 hours per night.
Correct answer: Lack of sleep directly causes increased stress in all people.
Claiming a direct causal relationship for all people is an inference; the study shows correlation among participants, not universal causation.
Question 7: A memo states: 'The department budget was reduced by 20% for the upcoming fiscal year.' Which of the following is an inference? A) The department's budget for the next fiscal year is 20% less than this year's. B) A budget reduction of 20% was announced for the department. C) Some departmental programs or staff will be cut as a result of the budget reduction. D) The department's financial resources will decrease next year.
- The department's budget for the next fiscal year is 20% less than this year's.
- A budget reduction of 20% was announced for the department.
- Some departmental programs or staff will be cut as a result of the budget reduction. (Correct answer)
- The department's financial resources will decrease next year.
Correct answer: Some departmental programs or staff will be cut as a result of the budget reduction.
Concluding that programs or staff will be cut assumes how management will respond to the budget cut, which is not stated.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 4
A store's sign reads: 'Sale ends Sunday.' A customer concludes the prices will return to normal on Monday.
Which best describes the customer's conclusion?
A) It is a fact because the sign states the sale ends Sunday.
B) It is an inference because 'ends Sunday' does not specify what happens Monday.
C) It is a fact because sales always return to regular pricing afterward.
D) It is an inference only if the customer misread the sign.