Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Argument Relevance Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A city council is debating whether to ban single-use plastic bags to reduce pollution. Which of the following arguments is the MOST relevant to the debate?
- "Several major cities in other countries have successfully implemented similar bans, resulting in a measurable decrease in plastic waste in waterways." (Correct answer)
- "The mayor, who supports the ban, has a generally poor approval rating on unrelated issues like transportation and public safety."
- "My favorite local grocery store has already switched to paper bags, and I find them to be much more stylish."
- "Manufacturing paper bags requires more water and energy than manufacturing plastic bags, so we should focus on that instead."
Correct answer: "Several major cities in other countries have successfully implemented similar bans, resulting in a measurable decrease in plastic waste in waterways."
The most relevant argument provides evidence from comparable situations that directly addresses the intended outcome of the proposal. The success of similar bans in other cities is directly related to the goal of reducing pollution. The mayor's approval rating is an irrelevant 'ad hominem' attack. A personal preference for paper bags is anecdotal and not a strong basis for a city-wide policy. While the environmental impact of paper bags is a related topic, the immediate question is about a plastic bag ban, making the data on plastic ban effectiveness most relevant.
Question 2: A company proposes to cut costs by outsourcing its customer service department to a third-party firm overseas. The stated goals are to reduce operational expenses and maintain the current level of customer satisfaction. Which argument is the WEAKEST and least relevant?
- "The CEO of our main competitor said in an interview that he would never consider outsourcing because it's unpatriotic." (Correct answer)
- "An internal analysis shows that outsourcing would reduce departmental costs by 40% within the first year."
- "A recent survey of our customers revealed that 85% prefer to speak with a customer service agent based in their own country."
- "The third-party firm has a 92% customer satisfaction rating with its other clients in our industry."
Correct answer: "The CEO of our main competitor said in an interview that he would never consider outsourcing because it's unpatriotic."
This argument is weak because it relies on the opinion of an external party (a competitor's CEO) and appeals to emotion ('unpatriotic') rather than providing data relevant to the company's specific goals of cost reduction and customer satisfaction. The other arguments are all strong and directly relevant as they provide data on cost savings, customer preferences, and the potential partner's performance.
Question 3: A school board is considering a proposal to make school uniforms mandatory for all students. The primary goal is to improve student focus on academics by reducing distractions related to clothing. Which of the following is the most relevant counter-argument?
- "My child is very creative and forcing them to wear a uniform will stifle their individuality."
- "The cost of the uniforms would present a significant financial burden for many families in the district."
- "The board member who proposed this idea is a retired military officer and is just trying to make schools more rigid."
- "A comprehensive study of schools that implemented uniform policies found no statistically significant impact on academic performance or disciplinary issues." (Correct answer)
Correct answer: "A comprehensive study of schools that implemented uniform policies found no statistically significant impact on academic performance or disciplinary issues."
The most relevant counter-argument directly challenges the premise of the proposal using objective evidence. Since the stated goal is to improve academic focus, a study showing that uniforms have no significant academic impact is the most direct and powerful rebuttal. The argument about stifling individuality is a valid concern but is subjective. The financial burden is a relevant practical issue but doesn't address the core academic goal. The attack on the board member is an irrelevant ad hominem fallacy.
Question 4: An advertisement for a new sports drink, 'Vigorade,' features a famous Olympic athlete who claims the drink is the key to their success. In evaluating the argument that one should buy Vigorade to improve athletic performance, why is this celebrity endorsement considered a weak argument?
- Because the athlete is likely being paid, their testimony is not impartial.
- Because the athlete's success is attributable to numerous factors like training and genetics, not just one drink. (Correct answer)
- Because the drink might be too expensive for the average consumer.
- Because the advertisement does not mention the specific ingredients of the drink.
Correct answer: Because the athlete's success is attributable to numerous factors like training and genetics, not just one drink.
This argument is weak because it oversimplifies the cause of the athlete's success, creating a flawed causal claim. The athlete's performance is the result of many relevant factors, and attributing it to a single product is a logical fallacy. While the payment (A) suggests bias, the core logical weakness is the oversimplification of cause and effect. Cost (C) and ingredients (D) are practical considerations but do not address the central flaw in the argument's reasoning.
Question 5: A manager argues, "We should not hire John for the sales position. I heard from a friend that he is going through a messy divorce." Why is this argument not relevant to the hiring decision?
- It focuses on a personal circumstance that is unrelated to the candidate's professional qualifications and ability to perform the job. (Correct answer)
- The information is based on hearsay ('I heard from a friend') and is not a verified fact.
- The company's HR policy prohibits making hiring decisions based on marital status.
- The manager should have conducted a formal interview before making any judgments.
Correct answer: It focuses on a personal circumstance that is unrelated to the candidate's professional qualifications and ability to perform the job.
The core weakness of this argument is its lack of relevance. A candidate's personal life, such as a divorce, has no direct bearing on their professional skills, experience, or potential job performance. While the other options are also true and represent poor practice (relying on hearsay, violating policy), the fundamental flaw in the argument itself is that the reason given is irrelevant to the candidate's qualifications for the job.
Question 6: A city is planning to build a new sports stadium. The argument in favor is that it will create jobs and boost the local economy. Which of the following pieces of evidence is most relevant to evaluating this economic argument?
- The city's most popular sports team has had a winning record for the past three seasons.
- The proposed location for the stadium is currently an underutilized industrial area.
- Economic impact studies of recently built stadiums in similarly-sized cities show a net financial loss for the public over 30 years. (Correct answer)
- A poll shows that 70% of the city's residents are excited about the prospect of a new stadium.
Correct answer: Economic impact studies of recently built stadiums in similarly-sized cities show a net financial loss for the public over 30 years.
This option is the most relevant because it directly addresses the core economic claim of the argument by providing data from comparable situations. The success of such projects in other cities is a strong indicator of the likely outcome here. The team's record (A) and public excitement (D) are related to the team's popularity but not its economic impact. The location's current state (B) is relevant to urban planning but is secondary to the primary financial argument.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Evaluating Argument Relevance Questions and Answers
A city council is debating whether to ban single-use plastic bags to reduce pollution.
Which of the following arguments is the MOST relevant to the debate?