Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A report reads: 'The school's test scores dropped 8 points the year after the new principal was hired.' Which is a fact?
- Test scores dropped because of the new principal's leadership style.
- The new principal is ineffective.
- Test scores dropped 8 points in the year after the new principal was hired. (Correct answer)
- The school board should reconsider hiring practices.
Correct answer: Test scores dropped 8 points in the year after the new principal was hired.
The 8-point drop in the year following the hire is a directly stated, measurable fact, regardless of its cause.
Question 2: A news story states: 'Violent crime in the district fell 22% after new streetlights were installed.' Which is an inference?
- Violent crime fell 22% in the district.
- Streetlights were installed in the district.
- The new streetlights deterred criminals and made the area safer. (Correct answer)
- Crime statistics were recorded before and after the installation.
Correct answer: The new streetlights deterred criminals and made the area safer.
Attributing the crime drop specifically to the deterrent effect of streetlights is an inference; other factors may have contributed to the decline.
Question 3: A product label states: 'Contains 250mg of caffeine per serving. Recommended for adults only.' Which is an inference?
- The product contains 250mg of caffeine per serving.
- The label recommends the product for adults only.
- Children who consume this product will experience harmful side effects. (Correct answer)
- The caffeine content is listed on the label.
Correct answer: Children who consume this product will experience harmful side effects.
The label recommends adult use but does not state that children will experience harm — that conclusion is an inference beyond what is printed.
Question 4: A social media post states: 'I applied to 20 jobs last month and got zero callbacks.' Which is an inference made by a reader?
- The person applied to 20 jobs last month.
- The person received no callbacks.
- The person's resume or qualifications need improvement. (Correct answer)
- The person sent out job applications.
Correct answer: The person's resume or qualifications need improvement.
Concluding the resume or qualifications need improvement assumes a cause for the lack of callbacks not stated or evidenced in the post.
Question 5: A financial statement reads: 'The company reported $5 million in losses for Q3, the third consecutive quarter of losses.' Which is an inference?
- The company reported $5 million in losses for Q3.
- This was the third consecutive quarter of losses.
- The company is heading toward bankruptcy. (Correct answer)
- The company experienced financial losses.
Correct answer: The company is heading toward bankruptcy.
Predicting bankruptcy goes beyond the stated facts — consecutive losses are serious, but many companies recover without declaring bankruptcy.
Question 6: A teacher's note says: 'Marcus scored 95 on the final exam after attending every tutoring session this semester.' Which is an inference?
- Marcus scored 95 on the final exam.
- Marcus attended every tutoring session this semester.
- Attending tutoring sessions caused Marcus to score higher. (Correct answer)
- Marcus's final exam performance was recorded.
Correct answer: Attending tutoring sessions caused Marcus to score higher.
Crediting tutoring for Marcus's high score is an inference; the note only establishes that both events occurred, not that one caused the other.
Question 7: A neighborhood newsletter states: 'Three houses on Oak Street were broken into between midnight and 3 AM last Friday.' Which is an inference?
- Three houses on Oak Street were broken into last Friday.
- The break-ins occurred between midnight and 3 AM.
- The burglar was someone familiar with the neighborhood. (Correct answer)
- The break-ins were reported to police.
Correct answer: The burglar was someone familiar with the neighborhood.
Concluding the burglar was familiar with the neighborhood infers information about the perpetrator not stated in the newsletter.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers 5
A report reads: 'The school's test scores dropped 8 points the year after the new principal was hired.' Which is a fact?