Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Assessing Probability of Inferences Questions and Answers 4

Question 1

Passage: A company replaced fluorescent lighting with LED lighting throughout its offices. Employee complaints about headaches fell by 40% in the next quarter. Inference: 'LED lighting caused the reduction in employee headaches.' How should this inference be rated?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient Data

Answer

There is insufficient data because no control group was used and other changes during the same quarter (stress levels, ventilation, staffing) may explain the reduction.

Question 2

Passage: In the past decade, nations with higher per-capita chocolate consumption have higher Nobel Prize winner rates per capita. Inference: 'Eating chocolate improves cognitive ability and increases the chance of winning a Nobel Prize.' How should this inference be rated?

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

The inference is probably false because both chocolate consumption and Nobel laureates likely correlate with national wealth—a classic spurious correlation.

Question 3

Passage: A teacher states: 'None of my students who completed all homework assignments failed the final exam.' Inference: 'Students who complete all homework assignments will pass the final exam.' How should this inference be rated?

Accepted Answer

Probably True

Answer

The inference is probably true because the teacher's data shows a consistent pattern, though future students could still fail despite completing homework.

Question 4

Passage: Sales of umbrellas in a coastal city spike every June and July. Inference: 'It rains more in June and July in this coastal city than in other months.' How should this inference be rated?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient Data

Answer

There is insufficient data because coastal cities may have high June-July tourism, causing umbrella purchases for sun protection rather than rain.

Question 5

Passage: 'Every student in Mr. Kim's advanced math class scored above 90% on the state standardized test.' Inference: 'Mr. Kim is an excellent math teacher.' How should this inference be rated?

Accepted Answer

Insufficient Data

Answer

There is insufficient data because the class is labeled 'advanced,' suggesting students were pre-selected for high ability, making teacher quality impossible to isolate.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Assessing Probability of Inferences Questions and Answers 4