Evaluating Argument Strength Flashcards
6 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 6 Evaluating Argument Strength flashcards as text
A city's transportation committee is debating a proposal to replace 20% of its public bus fleet with new, all-electric buses. Which of the following arguments is the STRONGEST in support of this proposal?
Answer: A peer-reviewed study of five other cities that made a similar switch found an average 15% reduction in fleet maintenance costs and a 30% decrease in public complaints about noise pollution.
A strong argument must be important and directly related to the question. This answer is the strongest because it provides specific, relevant, and verifiable data from comparable situations (peer-reviewed study), addressing key practical concerns like maintenance costs and noise pollution, which are important factors in managing a public fleet.
A large corporation is considering a new policy that would require all employees, including those who work fully remotely, to be fully vaccinated against the seasonal flu. Which of the following is the WEAKEST argument in favor of this policy?
Answer: Mandating vaccines is a sign of a company that cares deeply about the health and safety of its employees and the broader community.
This argument is the weakest because it relies on an emotional appeal and makes a subjective claim about what the policy 'is a sign of'. A weak argument often appeals to emotion rather than providing a direct, logical reason that is important to the matter at hand. The other options present practical, business-related reasons (insurance costs, productivity, and transmission risk).
In the context of the Watson-Glaser appraisal, which of the following is a defining characteristic of a 'weak' argument?
Answer: It presents a fact that is verifiably true but is only of minor importance to the central question.
According to the principles of argument evaluation in critical thinking tests, an argument is considered weak if it is not directly related to the question, or if it is of minor importance, or if it is related only to trivial aspects of the question, even if it is true.
A software company manager argues, 'We must invest in a new project management tool because our main competitor just adopted it.' This argument is weak primarily because it:
Answer: assumes the competitor's needs and resources are identical to their own.
The argument's central flaw is the assumption that what works for or is necessary for a competitor is automatically necessary for their own company. This is a poor analogy and ignores potential differences in workflow, team size, project types, and budget. A strong argument would focus on the company's own specific needs and how the tool addresses them.
A school board is debating a proposal to require high school students to complete 100 hours of community service to graduate. Which of the following is the STRONGEST argument AGAINST this proposal?
Answer: A survey of local non-profits indicates they lack the capacity and staff to effectively manage a large influx of student volunteers.
This argument is the strongest because it points to a significant logistical failure in the proposal that could make it impossible to implement effectively. It is an important, practical consideration that is directly related to the feasibility of the plan. The other arguments, while relevant, are either based on opinion (C), affect a smaller subset of people (A), or address a manageable internal problem (D).
A marketing director proposes discontinuing all print advertising and reallocating the funds to digital marketing. Which of the following is the WEAKEST argument to support this proposal?
Answer: Print advertising is an old-fashioned method, and our company needs to be seen as more modern and forward-thinking.
This is the weakest argument because it is based on a vague appeal to image ('old-fashioned,' 'modern') rather than on concrete data or measurable business outcomes. Strong arguments focus on facts, outcomes, and consequences. The other options provide specific, relevant data on sales leads, cost-effectiveness, and target audience behavior, making them much stronger.