Mettl Critical Thinking 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A manager notices that every time sales increase, customer complaints also increase. She concludes that high sales cause more complaints. What logical error has she made?
- Hasty generalization
- Correlation vs. causation (Correct answer)
- Ad hominem
- False dilemma
Correct answer: Correlation vs. causation
Correlation between two variables does not establish that one causes the other; a third factor (e.g., higher order volume) could explain both.
Question 2: Which of the following best illustrates deductive reasoning?
- After observing 50 patients respond well to a drug, a doctor concludes it is effective.
- All mammals breathe air; dolphins are mammals; therefore dolphins breathe air. (Correct answer)
- Because it rained the last three Mondays, it will probably rain next Monday.
- Studies suggest coffee improves focus, so coffee must be good for everyone.
Correct answer: All mammals breathe air; dolphins are mammals; therefore dolphins breathe air.
Deductive reasoning draws a certain conclusion from general premises that guarantee the result if the premises are true.
Question 3: An analyst argues: 'We should adopt Policy X because our competitor adopted it and their profits rose.' What assumption is being made?
- The competitor's profits were already high before Policy X.
- Policy X is the reason the competitor's profits rose. (Correct answer)
- Both companies operate in the same market.
- Policy X has no implementation costs.
Correct answer: Policy X is the reason the competitor's profits rose.
The argument assumes a causal link between Policy X and the competitor's profit increase, which has not been demonstrated.
Question 4: A study finds that students who eat breakfast score higher on tests. A school administrator concludes that serving free breakfast will raise all students' test scores. Which of the following, if true, most weakens this conclusion?
- The study was conducted over two years.
- Students who already perform well are more likely to eat breakfast regardless. (Correct answer)
- Free breakfast programs are costly to operate.
- Some students prefer not to eat in the morning.
Correct answer: Students who already perform well are more likely to eat breakfast regardless.
If high-performing students are simply more likely to eat breakfast, the correlation does not mean breakfast causes better performance.
Question 5: Which argument structure commits the 'straw man' fallacy?
- Person A says we should reduce sugar in school lunches; Person B argues Person A wants to ban all food from schools. (Correct answer)
- Person A says we should reduce sugar; Person B provides data showing sugar harms health.
- Person A says we should reduce sugar; Person B proposes an alternative diet plan.
- Person A says we should reduce sugar; Person B agrees and adds further evidence.
Correct answer: Person A says we should reduce sugar in school lunches; Person B argues Person A wants to ban all food from schools.
A straw man fallacy misrepresents an opponent's position to make it easier to attack.
Question 6: A team leader says: 'Either we cut the project budget or we miss the deadline.' This is an example of which fallacy?
- Slippery slope
- Appeal to authority
- False dilemma (Correct answer)
- Circular reasoning
Correct answer: False dilemma
A false dilemma presents only two options when other possibilities (e.g., reallocation of resources, scope reduction) may exist.
Question 7: An engineer concludes that a bridge is safe because it passed inspection five years ago. Which critical thinking principle does this violate?
- Parsimony
- Currency of evidence (Correct answer)
- Peer review
- Sample size adequacy
Correct answer: Currency of evidence
Evidence must be current; conditions change over time, so old data may no longer support present conclusions.
Mettl Critical Thinking 2
A manager notices that every time sales increase, customer complaints also increase.
She concludes that high sales cause more complaints.
What logical error has she made?