Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Drawing Deductive Conclusions 2

Question 1

Premise: All engineers at TechCorp hold advanced degrees. Premise: Marcus works at TechCorp as an engineer. Conclusion: Marcus holds an advanced degree. Is this conclusion valid?

Accepted Answer

The conclusion follows — Marcus must hold an advanced degree.

Answer

Because all engineers at TechCorp hold advanced degrees and Marcus is an engineer there, it necessarily follows that Marcus holds an advanced degree.

Question 2

Premise: No reptiles are warm-blooded. Premise: A gecko is a reptile. Conclusion: A gecko is not warm-blooded. Is this conclusion valid?

Accepted Answer

The conclusion follows — the two premises together necessitate it.

Answer

Since no reptiles are warm-blooded and a gecko is a reptile, it necessarily follows that the gecko is not warm-blooded.

Question 3

Premise: All students who pass the entrance exam are admitted. Premise: Sofia did not pass the entrance exam. Conclusion: Sofia was not admitted. Is this conclusion valid?

Accepted Answer

The conclusion does not follow — Sofia could have been admitted through another route.

Answer

The premise states passing guarantees admission, but does not state that passing is the only path to admission, so Sofia may still have been admitted another way.

Question 4

Premise: Every member of the committee voted in favor of the proposal. Premise: Dr. Patel is a member of the committee. Conclusion: Dr. Patel voted in favor of the proposal. Is this conclusion valid?

Accepted Answer

The conclusion follows — the universal statement covers every member including Dr. Patel.

Answer

Because every committee member voted in favor and Dr. Patel is a committee member, it necessarily follows that Dr. Patel voted in favor.

Question 5

Premise: Some lawyers are also licensed pilots. Premise: All licensed pilots must pass annual medical exams. Conclusion: Some lawyers must pass annual medical exams. Is this conclusion valid?

Accepted Answer

The conclusion follows — those lawyers who are pilots must pass the medical exam.

Answer

The lawyers who are licensed pilots fall under the rule requiring annual medical exams, so at least some lawyers (those who are pilots) must pass them.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Drawing Deductive Conclusions 2