Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Argument Relevance Questions and Answers 4

Question 1

Question: Should the US government subsidize electric vehicle (EV) purchases?
Argument: Electric vehicles produce zero direct emissions, reducing urban air pollution that harms public health.
Is this a strong argument?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because it directly links EV adoption to a tangible public health benefit relevant to the subsidy question.

Answer

The argument is strong because it provides a direct, relevant public health rationale that supports the case for incentivizing EV adoption through subsidies.

Question 2

Question: Should professional athletes be required to serve as role models for youth?
Argument: Many professional athletes come from difficult backgrounds and have overcome significant personal challenges.
Is this a strong argument?

Accepted Answer

No, because an athlete's personal background does not create an obligation to serve as a role model.

Answer

The argument is weak because a person's background, however admirable, is irrelevant to whether they should be legally or professionally required to be a role model.

Question 3

Question: Should the US increase its defense budget?
Argument: Military spending as a percentage of GDP has declined over the past two decades compared to Cold War levels.
Is this a strong argument?

Accepted Answer

No, because historical comparison to Cold War spending levels is not relevant to current security needs.

Answer

The argument is weak because comparing to Cold War-era spending does not address whether today's security threats require a larger budget.

Question 4

Question: Should social media platforms be held legally liable for harmful content posted by users?
Argument: Social media companies generate billions of dollars in annual advertising revenue.
Is this a strong argument?

Accepted Answer

No, because a company's profitability is irrelevant to whether it should be legally liable for user content.

Answer

The argument is weak because revenue size does not logically bear on the question of legal liability for third-party content.

Question 5

Question: Should the US require all citizens to complete a year of national service?
Argument: National service programs build civic identity and social cohesion across demographic groups.
Is this a strong argument?

Accepted Answer

Yes, because it identifies a direct social benefit that is relevant to justifying a mandatory national program.

Answer

The argument is strong because it points to a concrete social outcome—civic cohesion—that directly supports the rationale for a national service requirement.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Argument Relevance Questions and Answers 4