Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Inference and Assumption Tests 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Statement: 'The city council voted 7-2 to approve the new transit plan.' Inference: Most residents support the transit plan. This inference is:
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data (Correct answer)
- Probably False
Correct answer: Insufficient Data
A council vote reveals elected officials' positions, not necessarily the views of the broader population.
Question 2: Which assumption is embedded in: 'We've always done the budget review in Q4, so we should continue doing it then'?
- Q4 is the busiest quarter for all departments
- Past practice is a sufficient reason to maintain current practice (Correct answer)
- Budget reviews are legally required in Q4
- Changing the timing would confuse employees
Correct answer: Past practice is a sufficient reason to maintain current practice
The argument assumes that tradition alone justifies continuation, without evaluating whether Q4 is actually optimal.
Question 3: Statement: 'The new manager joined in January; by March, two top performers had resigned.' Inference: The manager's leadership style drove away the top performers. This inference is:
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data (Correct answer)
- Probably False
Correct answer: Insufficient Data
The sequence is suggestive but the passage provides no information about the performers' reasons for leaving.
Question 4: An assumption is considered 'not assumed' in the Watson-Glaser test when:
- It is explicitly stated in the passage
- It is necessary for the argument to hold
- The argument could still stand without it (Correct answer)
- It is true in real life
Correct answer: The argument could still stand without it
If an argument remains valid without a given assumption, that assumption is not truly embedded in the reasoning.
Question 5: Statement: 'Countries with higher average incomes report higher happiness scores.' Inference: Increasing income is the most effective way to improve national happiness. This inference is:
- True
- Probably True
- Insufficient Data (Correct answer)
- Probably False
Correct answer: Insufficient Data
The correlation shows a relationship but doesn't establish that income is the most effective lever among all possible interventions.
Question 6: Identify the assumption in: 'Since the product has no artificial ingredients, it must be safe to consume.'
- Artificial ingredients are regulated by the FDA
- Natural ingredients cannot be harmful to humans (Correct answer)
- The product has been tested in clinical trials
- Consumers prefer natural over artificial ingredients
Correct answer: Natural ingredients cannot be harmful to humans
The argument assumes that natural origin guarantees safety, ignoring naturally occurring toxins or allergens.
Question 7: Statement: 'In a survey, 80% of customers rated the service excellent.' Inference: The company's customer service quality is high. This inference is:
- True
- Probably True (Correct answer)
- Insufficient Data
- Probably False
Correct answer: Probably True
An 80% excellence rating from customers is strong direct evidence supporting the conclusion, making it probably true.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Inference and Assumption Tests 5
Statement: 'The city council voted 7-2 to approve the new transit plan.' Inference: Most residents support the transit plan.
This inference is: