Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions 4

Question 1

Statement: 'Install a security system at home to protect your valuables.' Proposed assumption: 'The person addressed has valuables worth protecting.' Is this assumption made?

Accepted Answer

Assumption made

Answer

Recommending a security system to protect valuables assumes the listener possesses items valuable enough to warrant protection.

Question 2

Statement: 'Since Nina speaks three languages, she will be an asset on our international team.' Proposed assumption: 'Speaking multiple languages is useful for international team tasks.' Is this assumption made?

Accepted Answer

Assumption made

Answer

Calling Nina an asset because she speaks three languages assumes that multilingualism is valuable for the international team's work.

Question 3

Statement: 'Bring an umbrella — the forecast says there's a 60% chance of rain.' Proposed assumption: 'The person will be outside where rain would be a problem.' Is this assumption made?

Accepted Answer

Assumption made

Answer

Suggesting an umbrella assumes the person will be outdoors and exposed to rain rather than remaining indoors all day.

Question 4

Statement: 'The candidate who scores highest on the aptitude test should be hired.' Proposed assumption: 'Aptitude test scores reliably predict job performance.' Is this assumption made?

Accepted Answer

Assumption made

Answer

Using test scores as the hiring criterion assumes the test is a valid predictor of how well someone will perform on the job.

Question 5

Statement: 'This charity is effective because it spends only 5% on administration.' Proposed assumption: 'Low administrative spending is a valid measure of charitable effectiveness.' Is this assumption made?

Accepted Answer

Assumption made

Answer

Equating low overhead with effectiveness presupposes that the ratio of administrative to program spending determines a charity's impact.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions 4