Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers Flashcards
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A medical report states: 'The patient smoked for 30 years and was diagnosed with lung cancer at age 55.' Which is an inference?
Answer: The patient's cancer was caused by smoking.
While smoking is a known risk factor, concluding it caused this patient's specific cancer requires medical determination beyond the stated facts.
A company announcement reads: 'After restructuring, our workforce was reduced from 500 to 350 employees, and quarterly profits rose by 18%.' Which is a fact?
Answer: The workforce was reduced from 500 to 350 employees.
The workforce reduction from 500 to 350 is a specific, verifiable fact stated in the announcement.
A headline reads: 'City Park Renovation Project Completed Three Months Late and $2 Million Over Budget.' Which is an inference?
Answer: City officials failed to manage the project adequately.
Blaming city officials for inadequate management infers the cause of overruns, which may have many explanations not stated in the headline.
A science article reports: 'Residents near the new factory reported a 30% increase in respiratory complaints in the year after it opened.' Which statement is an inference?
Answer: The factory's emissions are causing residents to get sick.
Concluding factory emissions are the cause requires more than a temporal correlation — other factors could explain the increase.
A store receipt shows: 'Customer purchased 10 bottles of water and 5 energy bars at 11:45 PM.' Which is an inference?
Answer: The customer was preparing for a long trip or emergency.
The purpose behind the purchase is an inference; the facts only confirm what was bought and when, not why.
A survey states: '72% of employees reported feeling stressed at work, and absenteeism increased by 15% this year.' Which statement is a fact?
Answer: Absenteeism increased by 15% this year.
The 15% absenteeism increase is directly reported data from the survey and is a verifiable fact.
A court document states: 'The defendant's fingerprints were found on the doorknob, and the defendant lived in the same building.' Which is an inference?
Answer: The defendant entered the apartment without permission.
Unauthorized entry is an inference; fingerprints on a doorknob in one's own building could have an innocent explanation.