Watson-Glaser Inference and Assumption Tests Flashcards
7 cards from real Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Watson-Glaser Inference and Assumption Tests flashcards as text
Statement: 'The city council voted 7-2 to approve the new transit plan.' Inference: Most residents support the transit plan. This inference is:
Answer: Insufficient Data
A council vote reveals elected officials' positions, not necessarily the views of the broader population.
Which assumption is embedded in: 'We've always done the budget review in Q4, so we should continue doing it then'?
Answer: Past practice is a sufficient reason to maintain current practice
The argument assumes that tradition alone justifies continuation, without evaluating whether Q4 is actually optimal.
Statement: 'The new manager joined in January; by March, two top performers had resigned.' Inference: The manager's leadership style drove away the top performers. This inference is:
Answer: Insufficient Data
The sequence is suggestive but the passage provides no information about the performers' reasons for leaving.
An assumption is considered 'not assumed' in the Watson-Glaser test when:
Answer: The argument could still stand without it
If an argument remains valid without a given assumption, that assumption is not truly embedded in the reasoning.
Statement: 'Countries with higher average incomes report higher happiness scores.' Inference: Increasing income is the most effective way to improve national happiness. This inference is:
Answer: Insufficient Data
The correlation shows a relationship but doesn't establish that income is the most effective lever among all possible interventions.
Identify the assumption in: 'Since the product has no artificial ingredients, it must be safe to consume.'
Answer: Natural ingredients cannot be harmful to humans
The argument assumes that natural origin guarantees safety, ignoring naturally occurring toxins or allergens.
Statement: 'In a survey, 80% of customers rated the service excellent.' Inference: The company's customer service quality is high. This inference is:
Answer: Probably True
An 80% excellence rating from customers is strong direct evidence supporting the conclusion, making it probably true.