Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Analyzing Conclusions Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Statement: All the employees who completed the advanced training program received a salary increase. Janet completed the advanced training program. Conclusion: Janet received a salary increase. This conclusion is:
- True (Correct answer)
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data
- False
Correct answer: True
The statement establishes a universal rule (all who completed = received increase), and Janet is confirmed to have completed it, so the conclusion follows necessarily.
Question 2: Statement: Most successful entrepreneurs started their first business before age 30. Conclusion: If you start a business after age 30, you will not be successful. This conclusion is:
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data
- False (Correct answer)
Correct answer: False
'Most' does not mean 'all,' and the statement says nothing about entrepreneurs who started after 30 being unsuccessful.
Question 3: Statement: The city installed new streetlights in the downtown area. Crime rates in the downtown area dropped by 20% the following year. Conclusion: The new streetlights caused the drop in crime. This conclusion is:
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data (Correct answer)
- False
Correct answer: Insufficient Data
The data shows a correlation but does not rule out other factors (increased policing, economic changes, etc.) that could explain the crime reduction.
Question 4: Statement: No member of the review board voted to approve the budget proposal. Councilman Davis is a member of the review board. Conclusion: Councilman Davis did not vote to approve the budget proposal. This conclusion is:
- True (Correct answer)
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data
- False
Correct answer: True
The universal negative 'no member voted to approve' combined with Davis being a member leads necessarily to the conclusion.
Question 5: Statement: Sales of electric vehicles have doubled every two years for the past decade. Conclusion: Electric vehicle sales will continue to double every two years indefinitely. This conclusion is:
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data (Correct answer)
- False
Correct answer: Insufficient Data
Past trends do not guarantee future performance; market saturation, policy changes, or competition could alter the trajectory.
Question 6: Statement: Every student who scored above 90 on the midterm was exempt from the final exam. Only 15 students scored above 90. Conclusion: At most 15 students were exempt from the final exam. This conclusion is:
- True (Correct answer)
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data
- False
Correct answer: True
Since only those who scored above 90 were exempt, and exactly 15 students did so, the number exempt cannot exceed 15.
Question 7: Statement: The research team found that people who exercise at least three times per week report lower stress levels. Conclusion: Exercising three times per week reduces stress. This conclusion is:
- True
- Probably True (Correct answer)
- Insufficient Data
- False
Correct answer: Probably True
The finding is consistent with exercise reducing stress, and while not proven beyond doubt (self-selection is possible), it is probably true given the direction of the evidence.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Analyzing Conclusions Questions and Answers 3
Statement: All the employees who completed the advanced training program received a salary increase.
Janet completed the advanced training program.
Conclusion: Janet received a salary increase.
This conclusion is: