Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson Glaser MCQ 4

Question 1

Observation: Every time it rains, the streets get wet. The streets are wet. Which inference rating applies to 'It has rained recently'?

Accepted Answer

Probably true

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

A higher salary is a sufficient reason to change jobs

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Follows necessarily

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

Strong, because job losses are a serious and directly relevant concern

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

There is an association between breakfast eating and higher test scores

Answer

The research establishes an association, but causation cannot be claimed without a controlled experiment ruling out confounding variables.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Watson Glaser MCQ 4