Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal FREE Watson Glaser Interpretation Question and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A study found that employees who work remotely at least three days per week report higher job satisfaction than those who work entirely in the office. However, remote workers also report feeling less connected to their colleagues. Which of the following interpretations is BEST supported by the passage?
- Remote work improves all aspects of employee well-being.
- There is a trade-off between job satisfaction and social connection in remote work arrangements. (Correct answer)
- Companies should require all employees to work remotely full-time.
- Office workers are generally unhappy with their jobs.
Correct answer: There is a trade-off between job satisfaction and social connection in remote work arrangements.
The passage explicitly states remote workers have higher satisfaction but feel less connected, indicating a trade-off between these two factors.
Question 2: A city reported that after installing speed cameras on a major highway, the number of speeding tickets issued dropped by 40% over six months. During the same period, the number of traffic accidents on that highway decreased by 15%. Which interpretation follows BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT from the data above?
- Speed cameras are the most effective way to reduce all traffic accidents.
- Fewer drivers exceeded the speed limit on the highway after cameras were installed.
- The reduction in accidents was entirely caused by the speed cameras.
- Speeding tickets decreased and traffic accidents decreased during the same period on that highway. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Speeding tickets decreased and traffic accidents decreased during the same period on that highway.
The only interpretation supported beyond a reasonable doubt is the factual restatement that both metrics decreased during the same period on that highway.
Question 3: Research indicates that students who eat breakfast before standardized tests score an average of 8% higher than students who skip breakfast. The study controlled for socioeconomic background, prior academic performance, and sleep duration. Which of the following is the MOST accurate interpretation of these findings?
- Eating breakfast causes students to perform better on standardized tests.
- After controlling for several variables, breakfast consumption is associated with higher test scores. (Correct answer)
- Students who skip breakfast are less intelligent than those who eat breakfast.
- Socioeconomic background has no effect on test performance.
Correct answer: After controlling for several variables, breakfast consumption is associated with higher test scores.
The study shows an association between breakfast and higher scores after controlling for variables, but an observational study cannot definitively prove causation.
Question 4: A pharmaceutical company's internal report states: 'Our new medication reduced symptoms in 70% of trial participants compared to 45% for the placebo group. Side effects were reported by 30% of participants taking the medication.' Which interpretation is NOT justified by the passage?
- The medication was more effective than the placebo at reducing symptoms.
- Nearly one-third of participants experienced side effects from the medication.
- The medication is safe enough to be approved for public use. (Correct answer)
- The placebo also reduced symptoms in a substantial number of participants.
Correct answer: The medication is safe enough to be approved for public use.
Whether the medication is safe enough for approval requires regulatory assessment of risk-benefit ratios, which the passage does not address.
Question 5: A national survey found that 62% of respondents believe public transportation should receive more government funding, while only 23% of respondents reported using public transportation regularly. What can be MOST reasonably interpreted from these results?
- People who do not use public transportation still see value in funding it. (Correct answer)
- The majority of Americans use public transportation daily.
- Government funding for public transportation is currently insufficient.
- People support public transportation funding only when they personally benefit from it.
Correct answer: People who do not use public transportation still see value in funding it.
Since support for funding (62%) greatly exceeds regular usage (23%), many non-users must also support increased funding.
Question 6: Company records show that Department A had 12 workplace injuries last year with 50 employees, while Department B had 8 injuries with 120 employees. Management concluded that Department A has a more serious safety problem. Is management's interpretation justified?
- No, because Department B had more total employees and therefore more overall risk exposure.
- Yes, because Department A's injury rate per employee is significantly higher than Department B's. (Correct answer)
- No, because the types of injuries are not specified in the data.
- Yes, because 12 injuries is always worse than 8 injuries regardless of context.
Correct answer: Yes, because Department A's injury rate per employee is significantly higher than Department B's.
Department A's injury rate is 24% (12/50) compared to Department B's rate of approximately 6.7% (8/120), making management's conclusion justified based on per-capita comparison.
Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal FREE Watson Glaser Interpretation Question and Answers 2
A study found that employees who work remotely at least three days per week report higher job satisfaction than those who work entirely in the office.
However, remote workers also report feeling less connected to their colleagues.
Which of the following interpretations is BEST supported by the passage?