Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Argument Strength 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Question: Should public universities be free for all students? Argument: Yes, because many students cannot afford tuition and drop out before completing their degrees. This argument is:
- Strong, because it identifies a real barrier that free tuition would address (Correct answer)
- Weak, because dropping out has many causes unrelated to cost
- Strong, because all education should be publicly funded
- Weak, because universities need tuition revenue to operate
Correct answer: Strong, because it identifies a real barrier that free tuition would address
The argument is strong because it directly identifies a significant, demonstrable problem (financial barriers causing drop-out) that the proposed policy would address.
Question 2: Question: Should the voting age be lowered to 16? Argument: Yes, because 16-year-olds are allowed to drive, and driving requires responsibility. This argument is:
- Strong, because responsibility in one area proves competence in another
- Weak, because driving ability is unrelated to political judgment or civic decision-making (Correct answer)
- Strong, because legal privileges should be uniformly granted at the same age
- Weak, because most 16-year-olds are not interested in voting
Correct answer: Weak, because driving ability is unrelated to political judgment or civic decision-making
The argument is weak because it draws an irrelevant analogy — competence at driving does not demonstrate the political knowledge or judgment required for voting.
Question 3: Question: Should employers be required to offer paid parental leave? Argument: No, because some employees do not plan to have children and would not benefit. This argument is:
- Strong, because policies should benefit all employees equally
- Weak, because not every employee benefiting from a policy is not a valid reason to reject it (Correct answer)
- Strong, because it shows the policy creates workplace inequality
- Weak, because parental leave is a personal choice, not an employer's concern
Correct answer: Weak, because not every employee benefiting from a policy is not a valid reason to reject it
The argument is weak because many workplace policies — like disability insurance or sick leave — do not benefit every employee directly, yet are still widely considered justified.
Question 4: Question: Should cities ban single-use plastic bags? Argument: Yes, because plastic bags are found in oceans and harm marine wildlife. This argument is:
- Weak, because banning bags in one city will not clean the ocean
- Weak, because consumers should choose their own bags
- Strong, because it provides an evidence-based environmental harm directly linked to the policy (Correct answer)
- Strong, because any reduction in plastic is automatically beneficial
Correct answer: Strong, because it provides an evidence-based environmental harm directly linked to the policy
The argument is strong because it cites a documented, specific harm (marine wildlife damage from plastic bags) that the proposed ban directly targets.
Question 5: Question: Should all new cars be required to be electric? Argument: No, because electric vehicles are currently more expensive than gasoline cars. This argument is:
- Strong, because affordability is a relevant concern that could undermine the policy's effectiveness (Correct answer)
- Weak, because prices will fall over time so cost is not a lasting concern
- Strong, because government should never mandate consumer purchases
- Weak, because electric vehicles have lower operating costs that offset the price
Correct answer: Strong, because affordability is a relevant concern that could undermine the policy's effectiveness
The argument is strong because cost is a directly relevant practical barrier — if most consumers cannot afford compliant vehicles, the mandate creates real hardship and may be unworkable.
Question 6: Question: Should high school students be required to complete community service to graduate? Argument: Yes, because community service builds character and teaches empathy. This argument is:
- Strong, because character development is a core goal of education
- Weak, because mandatory service may reduce genuine motivation and undermine the intended benefits (Correct answer)
- Strong, because empathy is measurable and can be assessed for graduation
- Weak, because students already learn empathy from family
Correct answer: Weak, because mandatory service may reduce genuine motivation and undermine the intended benefits
The argument is weak because requiring service can undermine intrinsic motivation, and there is limited evidence that compulsory service reliably builds character compared to voluntary engagement.
Question 7: Question: Should governments regulate social media platforms to combat misinformation? Argument: No, because regulation could be used to silence legitimate political opposition. This argument is:
- Weak, because misinformation causes more harm than regulation risks
- Strong, because it raises a substantive risk of government overreach with real historical precedent (Correct answer)
- Weak, because social media companies already moderate content effectively
- Strong, because free speech is absolute and cannot be limited under any circumstance
Correct answer: Strong, because it raises a substantive risk of government overreach with real historical precedent
The argument is strong because government overreach in speech regulation has documented historical examples, making the risk a substantive and relevant concern.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Argument Strength 2
Question: Should public universities be free for all students?
Argument: Yes, because many students cannot afford tuition and drop out before completing their degrees.
This argument is: