Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Glaser Inferences 1

Question 1

A tech company piloted a four-day workweek for six months. Project completion rates remained unchanged, but employee sick days decreased by 30%. Which inference is MOST justified?

Accepted Answer

Reducing the workweek to four days appears to lower absenteeism without harming output

Answer

The data directly shows two outcomes: stable productivity and fewer sick days. Option B restates these facts accurately without overclaiming. Option A extends the finding beyond this company; Option C prescribes universal action the data cannot support; Option D introduces a motivational explanation not mentioned in the evidence.

Question 2

A school district introduced mandatory breakfast programs for all students. The following year, math scores improved by 12% on average, while reading scores remained unchanged. Which inference is MOST warranted?

Accepted Answer

The breakfast program may have contributed to improved math performance, though other factors cannot be ruled out

Answer

A correlational result in one subject area justifies only a cautious, qualified inference. Option C correctly acknowledges the possible link while admitting confounds. Option A overstates causation; Option B dismisses a real finding based on one null result; Option D makes an absolute claim the data cannot support.

Question 3

A county launched an anti-plastic campaign. Its landfill plastic dropped 18% over two years. Neighboring counties with no such campaign also saw a 15% reduction in the same period. Which inference is MOST supported by these facts?

Accepted Answer

Broader regional or societal trends likely account for much of the county's plastic reduction

Answer

Because neighboring counties achieved nearly the same reduction without any campaign, a wider regional force is the most logical explanation for the bulk of the change. Option A ignores the control-like comparison; Option B goes too far the other way; Option D introduces an attitude claim unsupported by the data.

Question 4

A hospital replaced paper-based outpatient check-in with an electronic system. Average wait times fell from 45 minutes to 28 minutes, and patient satisfaction scores rose from 72% to 81%. Which inference is MOST reasonable?

Accepted Answer

The reduction in wait times likely contributed to the improvement in patient satisfaction scores

Answer

Both changes occurred together, making it reasonable to infer a connection between shorter waits and higher satisfaction. Option A generalizes beyond this single case; Option C attributes a change in clinical skill with no supporting evidence; Option D makes a value-priority claim the data does not address.

Question 5

A public library eliminated late fees. Over the following year, on-time book returns decreased by 20%, but total books borrowed increased by 35%. Which inference is MOST justified?

Accepted Answer

While eliminating late fees reduced timely returns, it appears to have significantly increased overall library usage

Answer

Option C accurately reflects both observed outcomes — fewer on-time returns and more total borrowing — without assigning blame or predicting future shortages. Option A over-generalizes; Option B frames the return data as proof of irresponsibility, which goes beyond what is stated; Option D speculates about a future supply problem not indicated by the facts.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Glaser Inferences 1