Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Inference and Assumption Tests 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Statement: A tech company's internal audit found that teams using project management software completed tasks 18% faster on average than teams using email-only coordination. The audit covered 120 projects over two years and held team size constant. Based ONLY on the above, is this inference TRUE, PROBABLY TRUE, based on INSUFFICIENT DATA, or FALSE? Inference: Project management software improves team efficiency.
- True
- Probably True (Correct answer)
- Insufficient Data
- False
Correct answer: Probably True
The controlled audit strongly suggests this, but it is one company's data and may not universally apply.
The audit controls for team size and covers a reasonable sample of 120 projects. The 18% efficiency gain is meaningful. However, since this is a single company's data and the projects may share cultural or industry-specific traits, we can say the inference is 'Probably True' — well supported but not universally proven.
Question 2: Statement: An assumption is something taken for granted, not proved. Statement: 'Teaching critical thinking in schools will produce better citizens.' Which of the following is an assumption made in this statement?
- Critical thinking can be effectively taught in a school setting. (Correct answer)
- All students currently lack critical thinking skills.
- Better citizens always vote in elections.
- School is the only place where critical thinking develops.
Correct answer: Critical thinking can be effectively taught in a school setting.
The recommendation assumes teaching critical thinking is feasible in schools — without this, the proposal collapses.
For the statement to make sense, the speaker must assume that critical thinking can actually be taught in schools — otherwise recommending it there would be pointless. Option B is too extreme ('all students'). Option C introduces a specific behaviour not implied. Option D claims exclusivity not assumed. Only A is a necessary underlying assumption.
Question 3: Statement: Hospital data from the past decade shows that patients admitted on weekends had a 7% higher mortality rate than those admitted on weekdays. Staffing levels on weekends averaged 23% lower than on weekdays. Based ONLY on the above, is this inference TRUE, PROBABLY TRUE, based on INSUFFICIENT DATA, or FALSE? Inference: Lower weekend staffing levels are responsible for higher weekend mortality rates.
- True
- Probably True (Correct answer)
- Insufficient Data
- False
Correct answer: Probably True
The correlation between lower staffing and higher mortality is strong but does not prove causation alone.
The data shows both lower staffing and higher mortality on weekends in the same dataset. This correlation supports a probable causal link. However, other factors — acuity of weekend admissions (more emergency cases), fewer diagnostic services, or different patient demographics — could also contribute. The inference is 'Probably True,' not definitively 'True.'
Question 4: Statement: A study tracked 2,000 adults who began a daily 30-minute walking programme. After 12 months, 74% reported reduced stress levels. The study did not measure physical health outcomes. Based ONLY on the above, is this inference TRUE, PROBABLY TRUE, based on INSUFFICIENT DATA, or FALSE? Inference: Walking reduces blood pressure.
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data (Correct answer)
- False
Correct answer: Insufficient Data
The passage only covers stress levels, not blood pressure. There is no data to judge this inference.
The passage explicitly states the study did not measure physical health outcomes. Blood pressure is a physical health outcome. No information in the passage allows any conclusion about blood pressure, making 'Insufficient Data' the only valid response.
Question 5: Statement: An assumption is something taken for granted, not proved. Statement: 'If we lower the price of our product, we will increase total sales revenue.' Which of the following is an assumption made in this statement?
- Customers are currently unaware of the product.
- The increase in units sold will more than offset the lower price per unit. (Correct answer)
- Competitors will also lower their prices.
- The product has no manufacturing cost.
Correct answer: The increase in units sold will more than offset the lower price per unit.
Revenue = price × volume. The statement assumes volume gains will outweigh the price cut — this is the core unstated premise.
Total revenue increases only if demand is elastic enough that the volume increase more than compensates for the lower margin per unit. This elastic demand assumption is taken for granted in the statement. Option A (awareness) is not implied. Option C (competitors' behaviour) is speculative and not assumed. Option D is irrelevant to the revenue argument.
Question 6: Statement: Data from 50 schools showed that students who participated in extracurricular arts programmes achieved average exam scores 9 points higher than non-participants. Participation was voluntary and self-selected. Based ONLY on the above, is this inference TRUE, PROBABLY TRUE, based on INSUFFICIENT DATA, or FALSE? Inference: Arts programmes cause higher exam scores.
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data (Correct answer)
- False
Correct answer: Insufficient Data
Self-selection bias means higher-scoring students may be more likely to join arts programmes. The data cannot establish causation.
Because participation was voluntary and self-selected, students who join arts programmes may already be higher achievers or have more supportive home environments. This selection bias means we cannot determine whether arts programmes cause higher scores or whether higher-achieving students simply choose to participate. We have insufficient data to conclude causation.
Question 7: Statement: A national survey found that 81% of hiring managers rated communication skills as the most important competency when evaluating graduate candidates, above technical qualifications. Based ONLY on the above, is this inference TRUE, PROBABLY TRUE, based on INSUFFICIENT DATA, or FALSE? Inference: Graduates with strong technical qualifications but weak communication skills may struggle to secure graduate employment.
- True
- Probably True (Correct answer)
- Insufficient Data
- False
Correct answer: Probably True
If 81% of managers prioritise communication over technical skills, poor communicators face a real disadvantage in hiring.
With 81% of hiring managers rating communication above technical skills, graduates lacking this competency are likely to be passed over by most employers in favour of candidates who communicate well. This makes the inference 'Probably True.' It is not 'True' in an absolute sense because some employers may prioritise technical skills for specific roles — but the strong majority makes struggle probable.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Inference and Assumption Tests 2
Statement: A tech company's internal audit found that teams using project management software completed tasks 18% faster on average than teams using email-only coordination.
The audit covered 120 projects over two years and held team size constant.
Based ONLY on the above, is this inference TRUE, PROBABLY TRUE, based on INSUFFICIENT DATA, or FALSE? Inference: Project management software improves team efficiency.