Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Inference and Assumption Tests

Question 1

Statement: A pharmaceutical company conducted a 5-year study on 10,000 adults. Participants who slept fewer than 6 hours per night had a 35% higher rate of cardiovascular incidents than those who slept 7–9 hours. The study controlled for diet and exercise. Based ONLY on the above, is this inference TRUE, PROBABLY TRUE, based on INSUFFICIENT DATA, or FALSE? Inference: People who sleep less than 6 hours are more likely to develop heart problems.

Accepted Answer

Probably True

Answer

The study shows a statistical association, not absolute proof of causation, making 'Probably True' the best fit.

Question 2

Statement: The city of Riverdale introduced a congestion charge for vehicles entering the city centre between 7 AM and 7 PM on weekdays. In the six months following the charge, traffic volumes in the centre fell by 22% and average journey times dropped by 14 minutes. Based ONLY on the above, is this inference TRUE, PROBABLY TRUE, based on INSUFFICIENT DATA, or FALSE? Inference: The congestion charge caused some drivers to avoid the city centre during charging hours.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

The passage directly states traffic fell after the charge — the inference is fully supported as True.

Question 3

Statement: A regional survey found that 68% of employees at companies offering flexible working hours reported higher job satisfaction than those at companies with fixed hours. Flexible working was defined as the ability to choose start and finish times within a core window. Based ONLY on the above, is this inference TRUE, PROBABLY TRUE, based on INSUFFICIENT DATA, or FALSE? Inference: Companies that do not offer flexible working will experience higher staff turnover.

Accepted Answer

Insufficient Data

Answer

The passage discusses satisfaction, not turnover. No data on turnover is provided.

Question 4

Statement: An assumption is something taken for granted, not proved. Statement: 'The government should invest more in renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions.' Which of the following is an assumption made in this statement?

Accepted Answer

Reducing carbon emissions is a desirable goal.

Answer

The statement only makes sense if we assume reducing carbon emissions is worthwhile — this is taken for granted, not argued.

Question 5

Statement: A marketing agency noted that its social media campaigns generated three times more leads per pound spent than its print advertising campaigns over the past year. Based ONLY on the above, is this inference TRUE, PROBABLY TRUE, based on INSUFFICIENT DATA, or FALSE? Inference: The agency will completely abandon print advertising next year.

Accepted Answer

Insufficient Data

Answer

The passage reports ROI data but says nothing about future decisions.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson-Glaser Inference and Assumption Tests