Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions 2

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?

Accepted Answer

Assumption made

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Assumption made

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Assumption made

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Assumption made

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Assumption made

Answer

Calling the policy successful because absenteeism dropped requires assuming that lowering absenteeism was the intended outcome.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions 2