Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Distinguishing Facts from Inferences Questions and Answers Flashcards
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A report reads: 'The school's test scores dropped 8 points the year after the new principal was hired.' Which is a fact?
Answer: Test scores dropped 8 points in the year after the new principal was hired.
The 8-point drop in the year following the hire is a directly stated, measurable fact, regardless of its cause.
A news story states: 'Violent crime in the district fell 22% after new streetlights were installed.' Which is an inference?
Answer: The new streetlights deterred criminals and made the area safer.
Attributing the crime drop specifically to the deterrent effect of streetlights is an inference; other factors may have contributed to the decline.
A product label states: 'Contains 250mg of caffeine per serving. Recommended for adults only.' Which is an inference?
Answer: Children who consume this product will experience harmful side effects.
The label recommends adult use but does not state that children will experience harm — that conclusion is an inference beyond what is printed.
A social media post states: 'I applied to 20 jobs last month and got zero callbacks.' Which is an inference made by a reader?
Answer: The person's resume or qualifications need improvement.
Concluding the resume or qualifications need improvement assumes a cause for the lack of callbacks not stated or evidenced in the post.
A financial statement reads: 'The company reported $5 million in losses for Q3, the third consecutive quarter of losses.' Which is an inference?
Answer: The company is heading toward bankruptcy.
Predicting bankruptcy goes beyond the stated facts — consecutive losses are serious, but many companies recover without declaring bankruptcy.
A teacher's note says: 'Marcus scored 95 on the final exam after attending every tutoring session this semester.' Which is an inference?
Answer: Attending tutoring sessions caused Marcus to score higher.
Crediting tutoring for Marcus's high score is an inference; the note only establishes that both events occurred, not that one caused the other.
A neighborhood newsletter states: 'Three houses on Oak Street were broken into between midnight and 3 AM last Friday.' Which is an inference?
Answer: The burglar was someone familiar with the neighborhood.
Concluding the burglar was familiar with the neighborhood infers information about the perpetrator not stated in the newsletter.