Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal FREE Watson Glaser MCQ Question and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: INFERENCE: A company's sales increased by 20% after launching a new marketing campaign. Which inference is MOST justified? Statement: The company ran a new marketing campaign. Sales rose 20% the following quarter.
- The marketing campaign definitely caused the sales increase.
- The sales increase may have been influenced by the marketing campaign. (Correct answer)
- Sales would have increased by more without the campaign.
- The campaign was the only factor that could explain the increase.
Correct answer: The sales increase may have been influenced by the marketing campaign.
Only a cautious inference is justified since other factors (season, economy) could also have driven sales up.
Question 2: RECOGNITION OF ASSUMPTIONS: 'We should hire Sarah because she graduated from a top university.' Which assumption is being made?
- Sarah is the only qualified candidate.
- Graduates from top universities perform better on the job. (Correct answer)
- Top universities are expensive to attend.
- Sarah has already accepted the job offer.
Correct answer: Graduates from top universities perform better on the job.
The argument assumes a link between the prestige of one's university and job performance, which is an unstated premise.
Question 3: DEDUCTION: All project managers at this firm hold PMP certifications. Jordan is a project manager at this firm. Which conclusion follows necessarily?
- Jordan is the best project manager at the firm.
- Jordan holds a PMP certification. (Correct answer)
- Jordan earned the PMP certification recently.
- PMP certification guarantees project success.
Correct answer: Jordan holds a PMP certification.
The syllogism is valid: if all PMs hold PMP and Jordan is a PM, Jordan must hold PMP.
Question 4: INTERPRETATION: A study found that cities with more parks have lower rates of depression among residents. Which conclusion is BEST supported?
- Building more parks will definitely cure depression.
- There is an association between park availability and lower depression rates. (Correct answer)
- Depressed people avoid cities with parks.
- Parks are the single most effective mental health intervention.
Correct answer: There is an association between park availability and lower depression rates.
The data shows an association, not proven causation; interpreting it as a correlation is the safest supported conclusion.
Question 5: EVALUATION OF ARGUMENTS: 'Remote work should be mandatory for all office employees because it reduces commuting stress.' Which is the STRONGEST counter-argument?
- Some employees enjoy commuting.
- Remote work may harm collaboration, mentorship, and team cohesion. (Correct answer)
- Not all employees own a computer.
- Offices would become empty buildings.
Correct answer: Remote work may harm collaboration, mentorship, and team cohesion.
Harm to collaboration and professional development is a substantive objection that directly challenges the policy's overall benefit.
Question 6: INFERENCE: Every employee who received a bonus last year had a performance rating of 'Exceeds Expectations.' Maria did not receive a bonus last year. What can you infer?
- Maria's performance rating was definitely below 'Exceeds Expectations.'
- Maria may not have had a rating of 'Exceeds Expectations,' or there were other factors. (Correct answer)
- Maria will not receive a bonus this year either.
- The bonus system is unfair to Maria.
Correct answer: Maria may not have had a rating of 'Exceeds Expectations,' or there were other factors.
The statement tells us who got bonuses, but not that everyone with an 'Exceeds' rating received one, so the inference must remain cautious.
Question 7: RECOGNITION OF ASSUMPTIONS: 'Since violent crime fell after the new police precinct opened, the precinct must be responsible.' Identify the key unstated assumption.
- Police officers always prevent crime.
- No other changes occurred simultaneously that could have reduced crime. (Correct answer)
- Violent crime was very high before the precinct opened.
- The precinct is located in a high-crime neighborhood.
Correct answer: No other changes occurred simultaneously that could have reduced crime.
The argument assumes no confounding variables (economic changes, other programs) existed during the same period.
INFERENCE: A company's sales increased by 20% after launching a new marketing campaign.
Which inference is MOST justified?
Statement: The company ran a new marketing campaign.
Sales rose 20% the following quarter.