Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal FREE Watson Glaser Inferences Question and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Statement: A pharmaceutical company tested a new pain reliever on 2,000 volunteers. Participants who took the drug reported 45% less pain on average than those who took the placebo. Inference: The new pain reliever is more effective than the placebo at reducing pain.
- True (Correct answer)
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data
- Probably False
- False
Correct answer: True
The controlled study directly shows that the drug reduced pain by 45% more than placebo, making this inference definitively true from the data.
Question 2: Statement: Since the new CEO took over two years ago, the company's annual revenue has grown by 35%. Employees report higher morale. Inference: The new CEO is responsible for the revenue growth.
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data (Correct answer)
- Probably False
- False
Correct answer: Insufficient Data
Leadership change coincides with revenue growth and morale improvement, but external market conditions or prior strategic decisions could also explain the results.
Question 3: Statement: Historical records show that no volcanic eruption has occurred in this region for over 500 years. Inference: A volcanic eruption will not occur in this region in the next 10 years.
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data (Correct answer)
- Probably False
- False
Correct answer: Insufficient Data
Past inactivity reduces perceived short-term risk but does not provide sufficient data to rule out a future eruption within any specific time frame.
Question 4: Statement: Students who read for at least 30 minutes every day scored an average of 20 percentile points higher on reading comprehension tests than students who did not. Inference: Daily reading practice improves reading comprehension.
- True
- Probably True (Correct answer)
- Insufficient Data
- Probably False
- False
Correct answer: Probably True
The strong correlation is consistent with the inference, and it is supported by established educational research, though the study's design is not described as experimental.
Question 5: Statement: The city banned plastic bags at all retail stores. Within one year, plastic bag litter in the city's parks decreased by 72%. Inference: The plastic bag ban was the main reason for the reduction in park litter.
- True
- Probably True (Correct answer)
- Insufficient Data
- Probably False
- False
Correct answer: Probably True
The timing and magnitude of the reduction strongly suggest the ban was the primary driver, though the statement does not exclude other contributing factors.
Question 6: Statement: Every manager who attended the leadership seminar last year received a performance bonus. No employee who did not attend the seminar received a bonus. Inference: Attending the leadership seminar is the only way to receive a performance bonus at this company.
- True (Correct answer)
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data
- Probably False
- False
Correct answer: True
The statement establishes that bonuses went exclusively to seminar attendees and no non-attendee received one, making attendance the sole path to a bonus as stated.
Question 7: Statement: Membership at Lakeview Gym increased by 25% after the gym added a new swimming pool. Membership fees were also reduced by 10% at the same time. Inference: The new swimming pool caused the increase in gym membership.
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data (Correct answer)
- Probably False
- False
Correct answer: Insufficient Data
Both the pool addition and fee reduction occurred simultaneously, making it impossible to determine which factor (or both combined) drove the membership increase.
Statement: A pharmaceutical company tested a new pain reliever on 2,000 volunteers.
Participants who took the drug reported 45% less pain on average than those who took the placebo.
Inference: The new pain reliever is more effective than the placebo at reducing pain.