Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A weather report states: 'Yesterday's high temperature was 92°F, and three heat-related hospitalizations were reported.' Which statement is a fact rather than an inference?
- Three heat-related hospitalizations were reported yesterday. (Correct answer)
- The heat wave will continue for several more days.
- The hospitalizations were caused by the high temperature.
- Residents failed to take adequate precautions against the heat.
Correct answer: Three heat-related hospitalizations were reported yesterday.
The number of reported hospitalizations is a verifiable, documented fact, while the other options involve causation or prediction beyond what was stated.
Question 2: A manager reports: 'Our team submitted the project on Tuesday, and the client responded within two hours.' Which is an inference drawn from these facts?
- The project was submitted on Tuesday.
- The client was eagerly awaiting the project's delivery. (Correct answer)
- The client responded within two hours.
- The team submitted the project before the deadline.
Correct answer: The client was eagerly awaiting the project's delivery.
Concluding the client was 'eagerly awaiting' delivery goes beyond the stated facts by attributing an emotional state not mentioned.
Question 3: A news article states: 'The city council voted 7-2 to approve the new budget, which includes a 5% increase in education spending.' What is an inference?
- The vote was 7-2 in favor of the budget.
- The budget includes a 5% increase in education spending.
- Council members who voted yes prioritize education over other services. (Correct answer)
- Two council members voted against the budget.
Correct answer: Council members who voted yes prioritize education over other services.
Inferring that 'yes' voters prioritize education over other services assumes motivation not supported by the vote outcome alone.
Question 4: A study reports: 'Students who ate breakfast scored an average of 12 points higher on a standardized test than those who skipped breakfast.' Which statement is a fact?
- Eating breakfast improves students' cognitive abilities.
- Breakfast-eating students scored an average of 12 points higher. (Correct answer)
- Schools should provide free breakfast to all students.
- Skipping breakfast harms a student's long-term academic performance.
Correct answer: Breakfast-eating students scored an average of 12 points higher.
The 12-point score difference is directly reported by the study and is verifiable, while the other statements involve causation or policy conclusions.
Question 5: An employee review states: 'Sarah has missed four deadlines this quarter and has been late to work three times.' Which is an inference?
- Sarah missed four deadlines this quarter.
- Sarah has been late to work three times.
- Sarah is not committed to her job. (Correct answer)
- Sarah's behavior has been documented in a review.
Correct answer: Sarah is not committed to her job.
Concluding Sarah lacks job commitment infers motivation from behavior; the actual facts only describe specific incidents without explaining why.
Question 6: A police report reads: 'The suspect was found two blocks from the scene with $800 cash and no receipt.' Which statement is an inference?
- The suspect was found two blocks from the scene.
- The suspect had $800 in cash.
- The suspect stole the money from the nearby store. (Correct answer)
- The suspect had no receipt for the cash.
Correct answer: The suspect stole the money from the nearby store.
Concluding the suspect stole the money is an inference; the facts only describe location and possession, not the source of the cash.
Question 7: A restaurant review states: 'The service took 45 minutes and the food was cold when it arrived.' Which is a fact?
- The restaurant is poorly managed.
- The kitchen staff are inexperienced.
- The service took 45 minutes. (Correct answer)
- The restaurant will lose customers due to slow service.
Correct answer: The service took 45 minutes.
The 45-minute service time is a directly observable and verifiable fact stated in the review.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 3
A weather report states: 'Yesterday's high temperature was 92°F, and three heat-related hospitalizations were reported.' Which statement is a fact rather than an inference?