Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 4

Question 1

A medical report states: 'The patient smoked for 30 years and was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 55.' Which is an inference?

Accepted Answer

The patient's cancer was caused by smoking.

Answer

While smoking is a known risk factor, concluding it caused this patient's specific cancer requires medical determination beyond the stated facts.

Question 2

A company announcement reads: 'After restructuring, our workforce was reduced from 500 to 350 employees, and quarterly profits rose by 18%.' Which is a fact?

Accepted Answer

The workforce was reduced from 500 to 350 employees.

Answer

The workforce reduction from 500 to 350 is a specific, verifiable fact stated in the announcement.

Question 3

A headline reads: 'City Park Renovation Project Completed Three Months Late and $2 Million Over Budget.' Which is an inference?

Accepted Answer

City officials failed to manage the project adequately.

Answer

Blaming city officials for inadequate management infers the cause of overruns, which may have many explanations not stated in the headline.

Question 4

A science article reports: 'Residents near the new factory reported a 30% increase in respiratory complaints in the year after it opened.' Which statement is an inference?

Accepted Answer

The factory's emissions are causing residents to get sick.

Answer

Concluding factory emissions are the cause requires more than a temporal correlation — other factors could explain the increase.

Question 5

A store receipt shows: 'Customer purchased 10 bottles of water and 5 energy bars at 11:45 PM.' Which is an inference?

Accepted Answer

The customer was preparing for a long trip or emergency.

Answer

The purpose behind the purchase is an inference; the facts only confirm what was bought and when, not why.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 4