Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 5

Question 1

In the Watson-Glaser framework, which of the following best defines a 'fact' in the context of distinguishing facts from inferences?

A) Any statement that most people agree with.
B) A statement that can be directly verified against given or observable information without added interpretation.
C) A conclusion drawn logically from available evidence.
D) A statement made by an authority figure or expert.

Accepted Answer

A statement that can be directly verified against given or observable information without added interpretation.

Answer

In Watson-Glaser terms, a fact is a statement verifiable from given or directly observable information, requiring no added interpretation or reasoning.

Question 2

A notice reads: 'The elevator will be out of service from 8 AM to 12 PM on Thursday for maintenance.' An employee concludes she should work from home Thursday to avoid inconvenience. This conclusion is:

A) A fact because the elevator schedule is confirmed.
B) An inference because working from home is not stated or implied by the notice.
C) A fact because elevator outages always create inconvenience.
D) An inference only if the employee lives far from the office.

Accepted Answer

An inference because working from home is not stated or implied by the notice.

Answer

The notice provides the elevator schedule; the employee's decision to work from home is a personal inference not derived from the notice itself.

Question 3

A passage reads: 'Every employee who completed the safety training received a certificate.' Which of the following is an inference rather than a fact?

A) Employees who completed the training received certificates.
B) A certificate was given to each training completer.
C) Employees who did not complete training did not receive certificates.
D) The safety training program issued certificates upon completion.

Accepted Answer

Employees who did not complete training did not receive certificates.

Answer

The statement only tells us what happens when training is completed; what happens to non-completers is an inference not supported by the given information.

Question 4

A chart shows that coffee shop sales peak between 7 AM and 9 AM on weekdays. A manager infers that most customers are commuters grabbing coffee on the way to work. This is:

A) A fact because peak hours align with typical commute times.
B) A fact because coffee shops near offices always serve commuters.
C) An inference because the chart does not identify who the customers are or their reasons for visiting.
D) An inference only if the shop is not located near a transit hub.

Accepted Answer

An inference because the chart does not identify who the customers are or their reasons for visiting.

Answer

The chart shows when sales peak but provides no information about customer identity or motive; attributing the pattern to commuters is an inference.

Question 5

A policy document states: 'Employees must obtain manager approval before booking travel that costs over $500.' Which of the following is an inference based on this policy?

A) Travel costing over $500 requires manager approval.
B) Travel under $500 does not require manager approval.
C) The company is trying to control excessive employee spending on travel.
D) Employees must get approval from their manager for high-cost trips.

Accepted Answer

The company is trying to control excessive employee spending on travel.

Answer

Attributing the policy to a desire to control excessive spending is an inference about the company's motive, which is not stated in the policy.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 5