Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Statement: 'We should hire Maria for the marketing role because she has a business degree.' Proposed assumption: 'A business degree qualifies someone for a marketing role.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- Assumption not made
- The statement is an opinion, not an argument
- The assumption is stated explicitly
Correct answer: Assumption made
The argument only works if a business degree is considered sufficient qualification for marketing, which is assumed but never stated.
Question 2: Statement: 'Take Route 9 to avoid traffic — it's always faster in the morning.' Proposed assumption: 'The person being addressed wants to save travel time.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption not made
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- Route 9 is explicitly proven faster
- The statement contains no recommendation
Correct answer: Assumption made
Advising someone to take a faster route only makes sense if you assume they want to minimize travel time.
Question 3: Statement: 'Since our competitor lowered prices, we must lower ours too.' Proposed assumption: 'Customers choose products primarily based on price.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- Assumption not made
- The assumption is a fact, not an inference
- Price is mentioned explicitly as the deciding factor
Correct answer: Assumption made
The urgency to match competitor prices is only justified if customers are assumed to make decisions based on price.
Question 4: Statement: 'Dr. Patel recommends this supplement, so it must be effective.' Proposed assumption: 'Doctors never endorse ineffective products.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption not made
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- The statement is circular reasoning with no assumptions
- Dr. Patel's credentials are stated in the argument
Correct answer: Assumption made
The conclusion that the supplement is effective relies on assuming that a doctor's endorsement guarantees efficacy.
Question 5: Statement: 'The new policy reduced absenteeism by 10%, so it is working.' Proposed assumption: 'Reducing absenteeism is a goal of the policy.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- Assumption not made
- The goal is stated within the claim
- The assumption contradicts the evidence
Correct answer: Assumption made
Calling the policy successful because absenteeism dropped requires assuming that lowering absenteeism was the intended outcome.
Question 6: Statement: 'You should call ahead before visiting, since offices often close early on Fridays.' Proposed assumption: 'The person plans to visit the office in person.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption not made
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- The visit is mentioned explicitly
- The statement only concerns office hours
Correct answer: Assumption made
Advising someone to call ahead only has relevance if it is assumed they intend to make a physical visit.
Question 7: Statement: 'Because James has never been late, he is the most reliable employee.' Proposed assumption: 'Punctuality is the primary indicator of reliability.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- Assumption not made
- Reliability is defined in the statement
- The assumption is irrelevant to the conclusion
Correct answer: Assumption made
Equating never being late with being most reliable assumes punctuality is the key measure of an employee's dependability.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions 2
Statement: 'We should hire Maria for the marketing role because she has a business degree.' Proposed assumption: 'A business degree qualifies someone for a marketing role.' Is this assumption made?