Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson Glaser MCQ 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Statement: All employees who completed the training program received a certificate. Maria received a certificate. Which inference is most justified?
- Maria definitely completed the training program
- Maria may or may not have completed the training program (Correct answer)
- Maria completed the training program and excelled
- Maria received the certificate by mistake
Correct answer: Maria may or may not have completed the training program
The statement tells us certificate-holders completed the program, but Maria's certificate could have come from another source not mentioned.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the 'Recognition of Assumptions' section of the Watson-Glaser test?
- Identifying whether a conclusion logically follows from given premises
- Identifying unstated beliefs taken for granted in a statement (Correct answer)
- Evaluating the strength of arguments for and against a position
- Drawing inferences from observed facts
Correct answer: Identifying unstated beliefs taken for granted in a statement
Recognition of Assumptions requires identifying what must be presupposed (but is not stated) for the given statement to make sense.
Question 3: Passage: No reptiles are warm-blooded. All snakes are reptiles. Conclusion: No snakes are warm-blooded. This conclusion is:
- A conclusion that does not follow
- A conclusion that follows necessarily (Correct answer)
- A probable but not certain conclusion
- An assumption rather than a deduction
Correct answer: A conclusion that follows necessarily
By syllogistic logic, if no reptiles are warm-blooded and all snakes are reptiles, it necessarily follows that no snakes are warm-blooded.
Question 4: Argument: 'We should increase funding for public libraries because literacy rates improve community economic outcomes.' In Watson-Glaser terms, this argument is:
- Weak, because it does not give a specific dollar amount
- Strong, because the reason is relevant and significant to the issue (Correct answer)
- Weak, because libraries are not the only way to improve literacy
- Strong, because all government spending improves the economy
Correct answer: Strong, because the reason is relevant and significant to the issue
A strong argument is directly relevant and provides a substantial reason; linking literacy to economic outcomes is a relevant, meaningful justification.
Question 5: Statement: 'Let's take the highway — it's always faster.' The hidden assumption is:
- The highway has no tolls
- The highway will be faster in this instance (Correct answer)
- Highways are safer than side streets
- The speaker has driven this route before
Correct answer: The highway will be faster in this instance
Saying 'let's take the highway because it's always faster' assumes the highway will indeed be faster on this particular trip.
Question 6: Data: A city reduced speed limits and saw a 15% drop in traffic fatalities. Which interpretation is best supported?
- Speed limits are the sole cause of traffic fatalities
- Lower speed limits are associated with fewer traffic fatalities in this city (Correct answer)
- Every city should immediately lower its speed limits
- The 15% drop was caused by better hospital care, not speed limits
Correct answer: Lower speed limits are associated with fewer traffic fatalities in this city
The data shows a correlation in this city; concluding association is warranted, but claiming sole causation or universal application goes beyond the evidence.
Question 7: In the Watson-Glaser test, an inference rated 'probably true' means:
- The inference is certainly true based on the passage
- The inference is more likely true than false given the passage (Correct answer)
- The inference cannot be determined from the passage
- The inference is false based on the passage
Correct answer: The inference is more likely true than false given the passage
'Probably true' means the evidence in the passage makes the inference more likely true than false, though it is not certain.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson Glaser MCQ 2
Statement: All employees who completed the training program received a certificate.
Maria received a certificate.
Which inference is most justified?