Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Argument Relevance 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Statement: 'Should the US expand nuclear energy production?' Argument: 'Yes, because nuclear power produces large amounts of electricity with near-zero carbon emissions during operation.' Is this argument strong or weak?
- Strong, because it directly addresses both energy capacity and a key climate concern (Correct answer)
- Weak, because nuclear power plants take decades to build
- Weak, because nuclear waste is dangerous
- Strong, because the US has uranium reserves
Correct answer: Strong, because it directly addresses both energy capacity and a key climate concern
The argument is strong because it directly addresses two of the central considerations in the energy policy debate: output and climate impact.
Question 2: Statement: 'Should schools teach cursive handwriting?' Argument: 'No, because cursive handwriting is not tested on any major standardized exam students take.' Is this argument strong or weak?
- Strong, because curricula should align with what is assessed
- Weak, because exclusion from a standardized test does not mean a skill lacks educational value (Correct answer)
- Strong, because students have limited time for non-tested skills
- Weak, because cursive is still used in legal documents
Correct answer: Weak, because exclusion from a standardized test does not mean a skill lacks educational value
The argument is weak because the absence of cursive from standardized tests does not constitute evidence that the skill is without educational benefit.
Question 3: Statement: 'Should the US government provide free internet access to all households?' Argument: 'Yes, because in the modern economy, internet access is increasingly necessary for job searching, remote work, education, and civic participation.' Is this argument strong or weak?
- Weak, because not everyone wants to use the internet
- Strong, because it identifies multiple direct ways internet access has become essential to economic and civic life (Correct answer)
- Weak, because internet service providers would lose revenue
- Strong, because internet access is a luxury that should be shared
Correct answer: Strong, because it identifies multiple direct ways internet access has become essential to economic and civic life
The argument is strong because it provides several concrete, relevant ways that internet access has become a functional necessity in modern society.
Question 4: Statement: 'Should the minimum wage be raised to $20 per hour nationally?' Argument: 'No, because small businesses in rural areas operate on thin margins and a wage increase could force layoffs or closures.' Is this argument strong or weak?
- Weak, because large corporations also pay minimum wage
- Strong, because it identifies a specific, plausible economic consequence relevant to the debate (Correct answer)
- Weak, because workers deserve higher wages
- Strong, because the economy is always unpredictable
Correct answer: Strong, because it identifies a specific, plausible economic consequence relevant to the debate
The argument is strong because it identifies a concrete, relevant group likely to be directly harmed by the policy.
Question 5: Statement: 'Should prisons focus more on rehabilitation than punishment?' Argument: 'Yes, because recidivism rates are lower among individuals who receive education and vocational training while incarcerated.' Is this argument strong or weak?
- Weak, because rehabilitation programs are costly
- Strong, because it provides direct empirical support for the effectiveness of the proposed approach (Correct answer)
- Weak, because punishment has served as a deterrent for centuries
- Strong, because prisoners deserve better treatment
Correct answer: Strong, because it provides direct empirical support for the effectiveness of the proposed approach
The argument is strong because it cites outcome data directly relevant to the core objective of reducing repeat offenses.
Question 6: Statement: 'Should the US eliminate daylight saving time?' Argument: 'No, because farmers in the Midwest prefer the current schedule.' Is this argument strong or weak?
- Strong, because agricultural communities are significantly affected by time changes
- Weak, because one group's preference is insufficient justification for a national policy (Correct answer)
- Weak, because farmers represent a small portion of the US population
- Strong, because rural economies depend on consistent schedules
Correct answer: Weak, because one group's preference is insufficient justification for a national policy
The argument is weak because the preference of a single interest group does not constitute a broadly relevant reason to maintain a national time policy.
Question 7: Statement: 'Should children under age 13 be banned from social media?' Argument: 'Yes, because peer-reviewed research links heavy social media use in children to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and poor sleep.' Is this argument strong or weak?
- Strong, because it draws on relevant scientific evidence of harm to the exact group targeted by the policy (Correct answer)
- Weak, because some children use social media responsibly
- Weak, because parents should decide, not the government
- Strong, because social media is addictive for all ages
Correct answer: Strong, because it draws on relevant scientific evidence of harm to the exact group targeted by the policy
The argument is strong because it cites peer-reviewed evidence of harm specifically affecting the age group the policy is designed to protect.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Argument Relevance 5
Statement: 'Should the US expand nuclear energy production?' Argument: 'Yes, because nuclear power produces large amounts of electricity with near-zero carbon emissions during operation.' Is this argument strong or weak?