Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Inferences 2

Question 1

A manufacturing plant reduced its workforce by 20% last year. Production output also fell by 20%. Which inference is most justified?

A) The plant is becoming less efficient.
B) Fewer workers produced the same output per worker.
C) The plant plans to close soon.
D) Automation replaced the laid-off workers.

Accepted Answer

Fewer workers produced the same output per worker.

Answer

If both workforce and output fell by exactly 20%, productivity per worker remained constant — making this the most directly supported inference.

Question 2

Statement: Every student who passed the entrance exam was offered a scholarship. Maria was offered a scholarship. What can be inferred?

A) Maria passed the entrance exam.
B) Maria may or may not have passed the entrance exam.
C) Maria did not take the entrance exam.
D) All scholarship recipients passed the exam.

Accepted Answer

Maria may or may not have passed the entrance exam.

Answer

The statement only tells us exam-passers receive scholarships; scholarships could also be awarded for other reasons, so Maria's exam status is unknown.

Question 3

A city installed speed cameras on a stretch of highway. The number of speeding violations recorded increased by 40% in the first month. What is the most logical inference?

A) Drivers became more reckless after camera installation.
B) More violations were detected because cameras catch what officers miss.
C) The speed limit was lowered on that highway.
D) The cameras malfunctioned and recorded false positives.

Accepted Answer

More violations were detected because cameras catch what officers miss.

Answer

Automated cameras record continuously and objectively, so increased recorded violations most likely reflect improved detection rather than increased speeding.

Question 4

A hospital reports that patients who receive follow-up phone calls after discharge are readmitted 30% less often. Which inference is best supported?

A) Phone calls directly cure lingering illnesses.
B) Follow-up communication may help patients manage recovery better.
C) Hospitals with phone programs have better surgeons.
D) Patients who receive calls are always younger and healthier.

Accepted Answer

Follow-up communication may help patients manage recovery better.

Answer

The association between follow-up calls and lower readmission suggests communication supports recovery management, though causation is not proven.

Question 5

All of the top-selling novels last year were published by large publishing houses. Ridgeway Press is a small independent publisher. What can be inferred about Ridgeway Press novels?

A) None of their novels were top-sellers last year.
B) Their novels were probably not top-sellers last year.
C) Their novels could not become top-sellers in the future.
D) Their novels are of lower quality than large-publisher novels.

Accepted Answer

None of their novels were top-sellers last year.

Answer

The statement says ALL top-sellers were from large houses, which logically means no small-publisher novel was a top-seller that year.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Inferences 2