Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Statement: 'We should expand to the European market since our product sells well in Canada.' Proposed assumption: 'Consumer preferences in Europe are similar to those in Canada.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- Assumption not made
- Canada and Europe are both mentioned, so no assumption exists
- The assumption is about profit margins, not preferences
Correct answer: Assumption made
Inferring European success from Canadian performance assumes that what appeals to Canadian consumers will also appeal to European ones.
Question 2: Statement: 'Alex exercises every day, so he is likely to live a long life.' Proposed assumption: 'Daily exercise is a significant factor in longevity.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption not made
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- The link between exercise and longevity is a medical fact
- The assumption is that Alex has no other health risks
Correct answer: Assumption made
Predicting longevity from daily exercise assumes that this habit meaningfully increases one's lifespan.
Question 3: Statement: 'The city should invest in more bike lanes to reduce traffic congestion.' Proposed assumption: 'More bike lanes will cause a significant number of people to switch from cars to bicycles.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- Assumption not made
- The assumption is that bike lanes are affordable
- Traffic congestion is the definition, not an assumption
Correct answer: Assumption made
The argument that bike lanes reduce congestion requires assuming that their availability will prompt drivers to commute by bike instead.
Question 4: Statement: 'Send the report by Friday so the manager can review it before the Monday meeting.' Proposed assumption: 'The manager needs time before the meeting to review the report.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption not made
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- The Friday deadline is explicitly explained
- The meeting is the only assumption in this statement
Correct answer: Assumption made
The Friday deadline is justified by assuming the manager requires advance time to read and process the report before Monday.
Question 5: Statement: 'Organic food is healthier because it contains fewer pesticides.' Proposed assumption: 'Reduced pesticide exposure leads to better health outcomes.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- Assumption not made
- Pesticide levels are a fact, not an assumption
- The healthiness of organic food is the conclusion, not an assumption
Correct answer: Assumption made
Claiming organic food is healthier due to fewer pesticides assumes that lower pesticide levels actually translate to measurable health benefits.
Question 6: Statement: 'The new manager must be doing something right — employee morale has risen since she arrived.' Proposed assumption: 'The new manager's actions caused the rise in morale.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption not made
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- The timing alone proves causation
- The assumption is that morale was low before she arrived
Correct answer: Assumption made
Crediting the manager for improved morale assumes her arrival (not other concurrent changes) is the cause of the rise.
Question 7: Statement: 'Children who attend preschool perform better in first grade, so all children should attend preschool.' Proposed assumption: 'Preschool attendance is the reason for better first-grade performance, not a shared trait of children who attend.' Is this assumption made?
- Assumption made (Correct answer)
- Assumption not made
- The policy recommendation requires no assumption about causation
- First-grade performance is defined by preschool attendance
Correct answer: Assumption made
The policy recommendation assumes preschool causes better outcomes rather than that families who send children to preschool share other advantages.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Recognizing Unstated Assumptions 5
Statement: 'We should expand to the European market since our product sells well in Canada.' Proposed assumption: 'Consumer preferences in Europe are similar to those in Canada.' Is this assumption made?