Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson Glaser MCQ 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Observation: Every time it rains, the streets get wet. The streets are wet. Which inference rating applies to 'It has rained recently'?
- True
- Probably true (Correct answer)
- Insufficient data
- Probably false
Correct answer: Probably true
Wet streets are consistent with recent rain but other causes (sprinklers, flooding) are possible, so 'probably true' is the best rating.
Question 2: Statement: 'You should apply for this job — they're paying $20,000 more than your current salary.' The assumption underlying this advice is:
- The listener is qualified for the job
- A higher salary is a sufficient reason to change jobs (Correct answer)
- The listener dislikes their current employer
- The new job has better benefits
Correct answer: A higher salary is a sufficient reason to change jobs
The advice assumes that the salary increase alone is enough motivation to make the job change worthwhile.
Question 3: Premises: Some athletes are vegetarians. All vegetarians avoid red meat. Conclusion: Some athletes avoid red meat. This conclusion:
- Does not follow
- Follows necessarily (Correct answer)
- Is probably true only
- Contradicts the premises
Correct answer: Follows necessarily
If some athletes are vegetarians and all vegetarians avoid red meat, then at least those athlete-vegetarians avoid red meat — the conclusion necessarily follows.
Question 4: Argument against a proposal: 'We should not switch to renewable energy because it will cost jobs in the coal industry.' According to Watson-Glaser criteria, this argument is:
- Strong, because job losses are a serious and directly relevant concern (Correct answer)
- Weak, because cost should not factor into energy decisions
- Strong, because coal is the most reliable energy source
- Weak, because the argument merely appeals to fear
Correct answer: Strong, because job losses are a serious and directly relevant concern
The argument is strong because job losses are a substantial, directly relevant consequence that genuinely bears on the decision to switch energy sources.
Question 5: Passage: A researcher found that students who eat breakfast score higher on standardized tests. Which conclusion is best supported?
- Breakfast eating causes higher test scores
- There is an association between breakfast eating and higher test scores (Correct answer)
- Schools should mandate breakfast for all students
- Students who skip breakfast are less intelligent
Correct answer: There is an association between breakfast eating and higher test scores
The research establishes an association, but causation cannot be claimed without a controlled experiment ruling out confounding variables.
Question 6: Which response category in the Watson-Glaser Inference section means the statement contradicts or is incompatible with the given facts?
- Probably false
- False (Correct answer)
- Insufficient data
- Probably true
Correct answer: False
'False' is used when the inference directly contradicts the information provided in the passage.
Question 7: Statement: 'Reading fiction improves empathy, so English classes are essential.' The hidden assumption is:
- English classes primarily teach fiction reading
- Empathy is an important outcome that schools should develop (Correct answer)
- Non-fiction does not improve empathy
- English teachers are more empathetic than math teachers
Correct answer: Empathy is an important outcome that schools should develop
The argument only makes sense if empathy development is considered a worthwhile or essential goal, which is assumed rather than argued.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson Glaser MCQ 4
Observation: Every time it rains, the streets get wet.
The streets are wet.
Which inference rating applies to 'It has rained recently'?