Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal FREE Watson Glaser Interpretation Question and Answers 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Passage: Data from ten urban school districts shows that districts spending more than $12,000 per pupil annually had graduation rates averaging 89%, while districts spending less averaged 74%. Which conclusion is best supported?
- Higher per-pupil spending is associated with higher graduation rates in these districts. (Correct answer)
- Money is the only factor that determines whether students graduate.
- Districts spending less are deliberately trying to lower graduation rates.
- Graduation rates will reach 100% if spending is increased sufficiently.
Correct answer: Higher per-pupil spending is associated with higher graduation rates in these districts.
The data shows a pattern between spending and graduation rates without attributing sole causation or predicting unlimited improvement.
Question 2: Passage: A retailer introduced a loyalty rewards program and tracked purchases over six months. Members of the program spent an average of $340 per month, while non-members spent $190 per month. Which conclusion follows from this?
- Loyalty program members spend significantly more per month than non-members at this retailer. (Correct answer)
- The rewards program caused customers to double their spending.
- Non-members will become members once they learn about the program.
- The loyalty program is the retailer's most profitable initiative.
Correct answer: Loyalty program members spend significantly more per month than non-members at this retailer.
The data directly compares spending levels but cannot confirm whether the program caused the difference or if higher spenders were already more likely to join.
Question 3: Passage: A study followed 1,000 adults for 20 years and found that those who reported exercising at least three times per week had a 35% lower incidence of type 2 diabetes than those who exercised less than once per week. Which conclusion is most defensible?
- Regular exercise is associated with a meaningfully lower risk of type 2 diabetes in this cohort. (Correct answer)
- Exercise completely prevents type 2 diabetes in all populations.
- People who develop diabetes chose not to exercise regularly.
- Three workouts per week is the medically optimal amount for everyone.
Correct answer: Regular exercise is associated with a meaningfully lower risk of type 2 diabetes in this cohort.
A longitudinal association supports a meaningful relationship, but cannot rule out confounders or apply universally.
Question 4: Passage: A tech company surveyed employees after switching from open-plan offices to private workspaces. Reported productivity increased for 68% of employees, stayed the same for 22%, and decreased for 10%. Which conclusion is best supported?
- A majority of employees in this company reported productivity gains after the switch. (Correct answer)
- Private workspaces universally increase employee productivity.
- Open-plan offices have no benefits for any employees.
- The 10% who reported lower productivity should be reassigned.
Correct answer: A majority of employees in this company reported productivity gains after the switch.
The survey data supports the majority-gains claim and only at this company, with no basis for universal or punitive conclusions.
Question 5: Passage: Police data from City X shows that neighborhoods with active community watch programs reported 30% fewer property crimes than similar neighborhoods without such programs. Which conclusion is most justified?
- Community watch programs are linked to lower property crime rates in comparable City X neighborhoods. (Correct answer)
- Community watch programs eliminate crime in all neighborhoods they are implemented in.
- Neighborhoods without watch programs have residents who do not care about safety.
- Property crime rates are only influenced by community watch programs.
Correct answer: Community watch programs are linked to lower property crime rates in comparable City X neighborhoods.
The comparison establishes a link in this city's data without implying complete crime elimination or a single cause.
Question 6: Passage: A law firm analyzed its case outcomes over five years and found that cases settled within six months had an average client satisfaction score of 8.4/10, while cases that took longer than 18 months scored 6.1/10. What does this data most strongly suggest?
- Faster case resolution tends to be associated with higher client satisfaction at this firm. (Correct answer)
- Clients always prefer quick settlements even if they receive less compensation.
- The attorneys handling long cases are less competent than those handling short ones.
- Client satisfaction scores are the only metric that matters to law firms.
Correct answer: Faster case resolution tends to be associated with higher client satisfaction at this firm.
The data links case duration to satisfaction scores at this firm but does not justify conclusions about attorney quality or client preferences in general.
Question 7: Passage: A university found that students who used the campus tutoring center at least once per week earned an average GPA of 3.4, compared to 2.8 for students who never used it, among those with identical SAT scores entering college. Which conclusion follows?
- Regular tutoring center use is associated with higher GPAs among students with similar incoming ability. (Correct answer)
- Tutoring centers guarantee a 3.4 GPA for all students who attend weekly.
- Students with higher SAT scores naturally gravitate toward tutoring centers.
- The university's academic departments are ineffective without tutoring support.
Correct answer: Regular tutoring center use is associated with higher GPAs among students with similar incoming ability.
Controlling for SAT scores strengthens the association between tutoring and GPA, but the data does not guarantee outcomes or imply departmental failure.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal FREE Watson Glaser Interpretation Question and Answers 4
Passage: Data from ten urban school districts shows that districts spending more than $12,000 per pupil annually had graduation rates averaging 89%, while districts spending less averaged 74%.
Which conclusion is best supported?