Critical Thinking and Logic (LMC1) (PLMC) PreAssessment

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, familial status, or national origin. Which of the following ethical perspectives are relevant to this law? Choose 3 answers 1. Equal access to housing facilities requires accommodating all people. 2. All people should have access to adequate financing, regardless of income. 3. Children and adults should have equal access to recreational facilities in multiple housing developments, such as condominium projects. 4. In multiple housing developments which have a "no pets" designation, blind residents should be allowed to keep guide dogs. 5. Reasonable people should respect the rights and needs of others in regard to housing. Ethical concepts are impossible to apply to housing issues.

1. Children and adults should have equal access to recreational facilities in multiple housing developments, such as condominium projects. 2. In multiple housing developments which have a "no pets" designation, blind residents should be allowed to keep guide dogs. 3. Reasonable people should respect the rights and needs of others in regard to housing.

Which statement accurately reflects one of the purposes of applying critical thinking to the disciplines? 1. Critical thinking encourages a critique of the disciplines that seeks to narrow the gap between the ideal and the reality in a field of knowledge. 2. Critical thinking allows one to quickly develop a loyalty to the field of knowledge within a discipline. 3. Critical thinking allows one to quickly align with a particular school of thought within the discipline. 4. Critical thinking opens shortcuts to the study of the discipline. 5. Critical thinking in a discipline results in higher grades in the courses related to that discipline.

1. Critical thinking encourages a critique of the disciplines that seeks to narrow the gap between the ideal and the reality in a field of knowledge

How could the interpretation of data be distorted when presented in graphic form? Choose 2 answers A wildlife biologist is studying kingfisher population changes at a particular lake as part of an effort to maintain ecological balance in the area. The biologist decides to use this graph created by another biologist 1. Displaying a three-dimensional chart could oversimplify the complexity of the data. 2. Displaying more than one pie chart side by side could make comparison difficult across charts. 3. Displaying a chart containing multiple lines could misrepresent the interconnected nature of trends. 4. Displaying a chart containing a baseline that starts at a figure above zero could overemphasize differences in the data. 5. Displaying a chart with a thick, jagged line that represents a trend could diminish the significance of variables affecting that trend.

1. Displaying more than one pie chart side by side could make comparison difficult across charts 3. Displaying a chart containing a baseline that starts at a figure above zero could overemphasize differences in the data.

A student is writing a research paper that investigates the relationship of higher education to employment in the United States. Match each source of information with the phrase that describes its sufficiency to the assignment. Answer options may be used more than once or not at all. Select your answers from the pull-down list.

A case study of one state's employment rates that shows higher employment among those with a college degree - Relies on inference A university publication that describes a survey of 10 people with college degrees who report a high rate of employment in their fields of study - Exhibits Bias A peer-reviewed journal article that shows that people with college degrees have a 20 percent better rate of employment than those with a high school diploma - Provides Scholarly Support A study that shows that people with college degrees are more likely to engage in social activities - Is irrelevant

Students at an elementary school are not performing well on standardized tests. One proposed solution is to encourage struggling students to attend a free supervised study session after school. Classify each instance of evidence or reasoning as supporting or not supporting the proposed solution. Answer options may be used more than once or not at all. Select your answers from the pull-down list.

Does not support the proposed solution: 1. Students require several hours of physical exercise between the end of the school day and dinnertime. Supports the proposed solutions: 1. Students tend to retain more knowledge when their study time is supervised. 2. Other school districts have experienced success with after-school study programs. 3. Research has demonstrated that student test scores increase with extra study time.

A large urban school district spends more per pupil than any other district in the state; yet this district's graduation rate is the lowest. Sharply declining state revenues have forced political leaders to consider cuts across the entire state budget. Even so, Senator A argues that funding for the urban school district should not be cut because more funding is needed to counter problems particular to an urban setting. Senator B, meanwhile, argues that funding should be cut because the urban district is not improving its graduation rate. Senator B's position is based on an incomplete survey conducted by personal staff members, which indicates that cutting funding will make the district focus on basic academics. This has also been the result after decreasing funding for public education in suburban areas in other states. For the last 12 years, an organization representing parents and teachers in the urban district has argued for an increase in funds to support programs that encourage students to stay in school and graduate. A public university conducted a study of the urban school district and recommended that funding be increased to meet the needs of the urban district. This year, funding for the public schools will be competing with road funding, a priority for the business sector in the state. A private management business has offered to take over the urban school district at a lower cost to guarantee a higher graduation rate. Last year a private school in the same city produced three National Merit Scholar finalists. Note: Graduation rates do not include students who leave the district without graduating, but who graduate from another district. Dropout rates in this district are compiled for the twelfth-grade year only. Which statements are both accurate and relevant in determining funding for this urban district? Not Answers: 3. Graduation rates are accurate because dropout rates are determined in the senior year. 4. It is irrelevant that the parent teacher organization argues for a funding increase because they do that every year. 5. It is irrelevant that the business sector has placed a priority on road construction, since this competes with education funding. 6. It is relevant to compare the effects of reduced funding in suburban districts in other states with an urban district.

1. Even though the entire state budget will likely decrease for the next year, an appeal for more funding for education is relevant because a real need exists. 2. Graduation rates may be inaccurate because not all students are tracked after leaving the district. 4. It is irrelevant that three National Merit Scholars graduated from a private school in the city this year.

A wildlife biologist is studying kingfisher population changes at a particular lake as part of an effort to maintain ecological balance in the area. The biologist decides to use this graph created by another biologist: What questions should the biologist ask when evaluating the usefulness of this graph? Choose 2 answers 1. Is the graph specific enough to determine the current ecological status of the lake? 2. Is there enough information to reach a conclusion about the kingfisher population? 3. What were the other biologist's intentions when creating the graph? 4. What are the reasons for the differences in kingfisher populations from year to year? 5. Which of the facts contained in the graph are the most important?

1. Is the graph specific enough to determine the current ecological status of the lake? 2. Is there enough information to reach a conclusion about the kingfisher population?

Which of the following are standards of critical thinking? Choose 4 answers 1. Logic 2. Egocentrism 3. Expression 4. Significance 5. Accuracy 6. Precision 7. Decision making

1. Logic 4. Significance 5. Accuracy 6. Precision

Due to an increase in the number of degree programs at a local college, there has been a significant increase in job placement for graduates. College administrators believe it is because new degree programs have been created to meet the demands of a changing job market. Which of the following activities will help validate this explanation for the increase? 1. Look for a common element in other degree programs which lead to high job placement 2. Review surveys of graduates who did not participate in the new degree programs that indicate increased job placements 3. Interview professors about the value of their classes and course content 4. Examine the decrease in the number of credit hours required to complete a degree

1. Look for a common element in other degree programs which lead to high job placement

During recent practices, there has been a significant increase in the number of sprained ankles and knees among players of a very successful sports team that is going to compete in the state championship. The coach has decided to compare ankle and knee sprains during recent practices to those in the regular season. What actions would a sports coach take to determine injuries by using the common factor method? Not Answers: 2. The coach would consider and rule out factors unrelated to the increase in injuries. 3. The coach would look for differences between the injured players' practice shoes and game-day shoes. 5. The coach would observe players during different types of practice routines.

1. The coach would determine if the injured players were playing the same position. 4. The coach would investigate whether the injured players' warm-up routines were similar.

An individual has recently been reading about the use of animals in medical testing. The individual doesn't know much about animal testing, but on the surface, doesn't like it. However, the individual has a friend who suffers from an incurable disease and could possibly benefit from medical research conducted on animals. The friend has told the individual it could be a matter of life or death for certain people. The friend is adamant that medical testing on animals should be continued because it saves human lives. What are the underlying assumptions in the friend's reasoning? Choose 2 answers 1. The life of a human is more valuable than the life of an animal. 2. People who do not support animal testing are not compassionate. 3. The animals are not being harmed in the medical testing process. 4. Only undesirable animals are used for animal testing. Steps should be taken to save human lives whenever possible.

1. The life of a human is more valuable than the life of an animal. 4. Steps should be taken to save human lives whenever possible.

A history teacher has decided to use a multidisciplinary approach to curriculum for the upcoming year. How might the teacher have used the standards of critical thinking to make this decision? 1. The teacher considered the complexity of the learning environment. 2. The teacher recognized that students were bored in class and decided to make a change to the curriculum. 3. The teacher noticed a trusted colleague using a multidisciplinary approach in classes. 4. The teacher knew the administration prefers a multidisciplinary approach to curriculum.

1. The teacher considered the complexity of the learning environment.

A group of students is working on a research project based on the topic of ethical animal care. They have decided that the first step is to clarify the problem they want to address. Which of the following is a question of judgment that clarifies the problem? 1. What is the best way to address the high number of unwanted pets? 2. How profitable is the pet care industry? 3. What percentage of households own pets? 4. What breed of animal is most commonly abandoned?

1. What is the best way to address the high number of unwanted pets?

A music teacher is trying to develop a new curriculum for piano students in a public school. The teacher wants to apply the elements of reasoning within critical thought to teaching piano in order to create the best possible curriculum. Which two questions should the teacher consider in order to apply the principles of critical thinking to this problem? Choose 2 answers 1. What is the purpose of music and piano playing? 2. Are there enough pianos available for the students? 3. Why do some people seem to have more musical talent than others? 4. What are the most well-known types of piano in popular culture today? 5. Which current teaching methods fulfill the ideals of piano instruction?

1.What is the purpose of music and piano playing? 5. Which current teaching methods fulfill the ideals of piano instruction?

A writer is preparing to write an article about discipline in schools. What is an appropriate first step for the writer to clarify and systematically analyze the problem? 1. Clarify how the data should be presented 2. Clarify the subject and consider what is at stake 3. Clarify the subject after composing the first draft 4. Clarify how much the audience knows about the subject

2. Clarify the subject and consider what is at stake

Two homes that have dogs in a neighborhood have unsightly lawns. A group of neighbors are concerned that the value of their property will decrease due to the poor condition of these lawns. The group assumes that the dogs are damaging the lawns and complains to the animal control agency that the neighbors with the unkempt yards are not controlling their dogs. What are the two potential problems with this line of reasoning? Choose 2 answers 1. It would be impossible to verify the neighbors' claims of animal neglect because of lack of evidence. 2. It is unclear how the evidence leads to the conclusion that the dogs are the cause of the unsightly lawns. 3. The implications of decreased property values have not sufficiently been considered by the complaining neighbors. 4. The complaining neighbors have failed to express a clear point of view regarding the devaluing of property values. 5. The complaining neighbors' fear of devalued property may keep them from considering the problem from other viewpoints.

2. It is unclear how the evidence leads to the conclusion that the dogs are the cause of the unsightly lawns. 5. The complaining neighbors' fear of devalued property may keep them from considering the problem from other viewpoints

A city located in the western United States has been experiencing drought conditions for the past 10 years, but this year the area received record levels of precipitation. The city council has called for studies to be done on water levels, and the evidence shows that, while the ground water tables are up considerably, lake levels in the state are lower than their highest year, which occurred 12 years ago. The city has decided to implement water rationing policies at the beginning of the summer. Based upon the evidence, what reasoning did the city council use to form this solution? 1. Summer temperatures are expected to be higher this year than last, requiring people to use more water. 2. This year's precipitation has not eliminated the need for conservation. 3. The evidence regarding rainfall cannot be relied upon. 4. Water rationing is a logical public policy in the arid western United States. 5. People have been complaining about their neighbors' excessive watering habits.

2. This year's precipitation has not eliminated the need for conservation.

An animal shelter, serving a low-income community, is experiencing a dramatic increase in the number of homeless cats and dogs received at the shelter. The shelter staff are worried because the increase is impacting their ability to care equally for all their other animals and many people in the community cannot afford to adopt a dog or cat. They decide to implement a new promotion where they keep the current fee structure and reduce the paperwork and forego the usual reference checks to encourage more adoptions. Which of the below are implications of this proposed solution? Choose two answers. 1. Many people have no interest at all in adopting a dog or cat. 2. Other animals may not receive the care they need. 3. Adoption fees may prevent people from participating. 4. There are too many homeless cats and dogs at the shelter. 5. Pets may be matched with irresponsible owners.

3. Adoption fees may prevent people from participating. 5. Pets may be matched with irresponsible owners.

An excerpt from a hypothetical news story reads: "The tobacco industry is backing campaigns to help people control smoking. While the campaigns aren't designed to urge all smokers to quit, they are aimed at those who want to quit." Why should the campaign be regarded as potentially biased? 1. Because the tobacco lobbyists are powerful and exert influence over politicians 2. Because people can stop smoking on their own without the help of the tobacco industry 3. Because the tobacco industry is a commercial enterprise that loses money when people stop smoking 4. Because the tobacco industry knows that consumers are well-educated on the dangers of tobacco use

3. Because the tobacco industry is a commercial enterprise that loses money when people stop smoking

A teacher has taught high school for twenty years and has become increasingly annoyed with the disruption that tardiness creates. Still, the teacher cares about all students and wants them to be successful. 1. How would bias be likely to impact the teacher's reaction to student tardiness and student success? 2. It would make the teacher hesitant to change classroom policies. 3. It would make the teacher want to emphasize punctuality. 4. It would make the teacher more likely to begin class late. 5. It would make the teacher feel there is more validity in the content area.

3. It would make the teacher want to emphasize punctuality.

How would an elected official's point of view influence that official's approach to public education? Choose 2 answers 1. The elected official's desire to be re-elected may bring the official to adopt the minority view on how to support education. 2. The elected official's desire to reach a balanced budget may influence the official to increase education funding. 3. The official's desire to fund an expensive road-building project may influence the official to limit educational funding. 4. The official's enthusiasm for sports may influence the official to support funding for education if it includes increased spending for athletic programs. 5. The official's desire to raise educational achievement in public education may influence the official to cut funding for assessment in education.

3. The official's desire to fund an expensive road-building project may influence the official to limit educational funding. 4. The official's enthusiasm for sports may influence the official to support funding for education if it includes increased spending for athletic programs.

You are writing an essay on the proliferation of AIDS throughout the world. You have been asked to document the problem and its possible solutions using evidence and reasoning. Which of the following would be relevant sources for this topic? Choose 3 answers 1. An article that examines the cost of living with AIDS 2. A document that profiles individuals living with AIDS in Africa 3. A study on current AIDS treatments in various parts of the world 4. An essay by a medical doctor who has treated AIDS victims in other countries 5. A document that discusses the probable causes of AIDS in Africa 6. A speech given by a prominent researcher in the field of AIDS research

4. An essay by a medical doctor who has treated AIDS victims in other countries 5. A document that discusses the probable causes of AIDS in Africa 6. A speech given by a prominent researcher in the field of AIDS research

Read the following excerpt from Albert J. Beveridge's 1898 speech "The March of the Flag": "What does all this mean for every one of us? It means opportunity for all the glorious young manhood of the republic--the most virile, ambitious, impatient, militant manhood the world has ever seen." Which two fallacies occur in the excerpt? Choose 2 answers 1. Evading questions 2. Post hoc reasoning 3. Begging the question 4. Flattering the audience 5. Sweeping generalizations

4. Flattering the audience 5. Sweeping generalizations

At a crime scene, police found an open front door and a broken window at the back of the house. The front door had been opened from the inside. When police searched the premises, the only item found to be missing was a jewelry box hidden in a secret safe. The homeowner said the jewelry box contained various jewels valued at over $100,000. The police found multiple sets of fingerprints at the scene. Which of the following assumptions is valid? 1. The crime was committed by more than one person. 2. The jewels will never be recovered. 3. The criminal exited through the window at the back of the house. 4. The criminal knew the location of the jewelry box.

4. The criminal knew the location of the jewelry box.

Which question requires critical thinking? 1. What is the order of colors in a double rainbow? 2. What is an acronym for remembering the colors of the rainbow? 3. Which atmospheric conditions must exist for a rainbow to be visible? 4. What are ways to help ensure that rainbows will continue to be visible in the future?

4. What are ways to help ensure that rainbows will continue to be visible in the future?

Which question describes a problem for which experts generally agree there is a single best solution? 1. What is the best strategy to win a chess match? 2. What is the best way to maintain a comfortable temperature in a building? 3. What is the easiest way to stimulate economic growth? 4. What is the shortest route from New York to California by automobile?

4. What is the shortest route from New York to California by automobile?

World food prices have hit an all-time high, driven up by price increases in wheat, corn, sugar, and oils. The price of wheat has doubled within a six-month period. While these soaring prices have had only a modest effect on U.S. inflation, they have devastated the world's poor who spend a majority of their income on basic food staples. Politicians and scientists continue to argue over the cause of rising food prices. Some believe the jump in prices can be attributed to bad policies set by the U.S. Federal Reserve, and others believe that commodities speculation is to blame. But most scientists, including those from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, believe higher food prices were caused by two major factors: (1) low production due to severe weather around the world, including extreme heat in Russia, drought in Brazil, and flooding in Australia; and (2) a large portion of the world's corn going toward ethanol production instead of food. Regardless, the world's poor continue to suffer. Which of the following are plausible solutions to the given problem? Not Answers 1 Increase subsidies to encourage farmers to produce more of the basic crops such as wheat and corn. 2. Keep U.S.-produced crops in the United States to take care of the nation's poor. 3. Develop ways of growing crops indoors so weather will no longer be a factor. 4. Rely on world food organizations to redistribute and ration the food in a fair and equitable way so the poor get a share.

5. Consider the effects of greenhouse gases on climate change and set policies accordingly. 6. Set government policies that will lower the cost of basic food staples to the poorest people. 7. Reconsider tax incentives offered for production of alternative fuels.

Which two are elements of reasoning within critical thinking? Choose 2 answers 1. Logic 2. Clarity 3. Empathy 4. Precision 5. Implications 6. Assumptions

5. Implications 6. Assumptions

Match each fundamental point of view with its corresponding discipline. Answer options may be used more than once or not at all. Select your answers from the pull-down list. Focused on the critical and systematic study of problems Focused on right conduct and living an honorable life Focused on mental processes and behavior Focused on interaction and relationships among individuals and in groups Focused on the written record of the human race

Philosophy - Focused on the critical and systematic study of problems Ethics - Focused on right conduct and living an honorable life Psychology - Focused on mental processes and behavior Sociology - Focused on interaction and relationships among individuals and in groups History - Focused on the written record of the human race

Two members of a city council present a report to the council regarding concerns about high school students staying out past curfew on school nights. The council concludes that stricter enforcement of a 9:00 PM weeknight curfew is necessary. Classify each aspect of the report as a strength, weakness, or neither a strength or a weakness for the council members' conclusion. Answer options may be used more than once or not at all. Select your answers from the pull-down list.

Weakness: 1. Data gathered through eyewitness accounts by the two presenting council members 2. Report was compiled nine months prior to the meeting Strength: 1. Data demonstrating a high rate of juvenile arrests after 10 PM Neither a strength or weakness: 1. Reports from professional guidance counselors indicating the potential for teenagers to become involved in criminal activity