WGU - C168 Critical Thinking and Logic - Practice MCQ

Which of the following statements about Uncritical Persons (as defined by Paul and Elder) is false? a) They are skilled in manipulation. b) They have socially conditioned beliefs. c) They see themselves as "good" and opponents as "evil." d) They are prone to emotional counter-attacks when their thinking is questioned.

A

Which of the following statements best defines critical thinking? a) thinking about thinking in order to make thinking better b) thinking about critical theory c) critiquing others' arguments d) playing "devil's advocate"

A

Which report of risk reduction conveys a more significant treatment effect? a) Relative b) Absolute c) Random d) Qualitative

A

In constructing questions of judgment, which of the following is NOT part of the process? a) Developing questions that could be answered differently by people with different view points b) Developing questions that require reasoned judgment to answer c) Developing questions that have only one answer d) Developing questions that have competing answers

C

In reasoning, we make __________ based on ___________. a) Assumptions/inferences b) Assumptions/information c) Inferences/assumptions d) Inferences/implications

C

Statistics is the science of collecting, organizing, and analyzing _________. a) Qualitative data b) Numbers c) Quantitative data d) Factual information

C

The implicit beliefs that support our explicit reasoning about something are: a) inferences b) implications c) assumptions d) reasons

C

The mind drawing conclusions on the basis of reasons defines which process? a) Inferring b) Implying c) Reasoning d) A and C e) B and C

C

These questions have more than one answer, with some answers better than others. a) Questions of fact b) Questions of preference c) Questions of judgment d) Weak-sense questions

C

Thinking that is easily understood reflects which of the intellectual standards? a) Precision b) Logic c) Clarity d) Accuracy

C

To analyze the logic of an article, one can apply: a) thinking, feeling, and desiring b) questions of preference c) Elements of Reasoning d) questions of fact

C

What is said to follow from our reasoning? a) Assumptions b) Conclusions c) Implications d) Inferences

C

Which of the following best describes activated ignorance? a) Memorizing information that we don't understand b) Mentally taking in and actively using information that is true c) Mentally taking in and actively using false information d) Ignoring information that doesn't validate our beliefs

C

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an advanced thinker, as defined by Paul and Elder? a) Monitoring thoughts, feelings, and desires b) Sensitivity to inconsistency and contradictions c) Making decisions by instinct d) Embracing intellectual integrity

C

Which of the following is not a characteristic of second-order thinking? a) It is analyzed. b) It is assessed. c) It relies on intuition. d) It is reconstructed.

C

Which of the following is not among the suggested beginning tactics for improving your thinking? a) Use wasted time. b) Deal with your ego. c) Handle multiple problems per day. d) Keep an intellectual journal.

C

Which of the following is something we take for granted as true in our reasoning? a) Implication b) Inference c) Assumption d) Information

C

Which of the following statements best sums up Paul and Elder's criticism of shallow learning? a) It doesn't encourage creativity. b) It doesn't challenge the learner. c) It doesn't produce lasting knowledge or comprehension. d) None of the above

C

Which of the following statements is correct? a) Intellectual traits must be applied to the elements of critical thinking to use the standards effectively. b) Intellectual traits must be applied to the standards of critical thinking to use the elements. c) The standards of critical thinking must be applied to the elements as the critical thinker learns to develop intellectual traits. d) The elements of critical thinking must be applied to the standards as the critical thinker learns to develop intellectual traits.

C

Which of the following terms describes a plausible alternative explanation for why a particular outcome happened? a) Competing rationale b) Optional result c) Rival cause d) Option Y

C

Which of the following terms expresses the value which appears most frequently in a series of values? a) Mean b) Median c) Mode d) Average

C

Which of the mind's basic functions evaluates the extent to which life's events are either positive or negative? a) thinking b) intuiting c) feeling d) wanting

C

A common problem with applying the critical thinking standard of clarity to information is: a) the information isn't accurate b) the information is irrelevant c) the information is inadequate d) the information isn't clear

D

A mechanic ruled out failures in 10 different engine parts before finding the problem in the carburetor. This is an example of: a) common factor method b) single difference method c) concomitant variation d) process of elimination

D

Another term used to describe egocentric thinking is: a) domination b) submission c) strategic subservience d) rigidity of thought

D

Paul and Elder believe that ethical principles common to all humans can be found in: a) the Golden Rule b) the Golden Mean c) the U.S. Declaration of Independence d) the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

D

Paul and Elder's "Dimensions of Decision-Making" suggest all of the following steps, except: a) Figure out the information you need and seek it. b) Consider pros and cons of options. c) Be strategic in your decision-making. d) Merge problems and decisions into a comprehensive decision whenever possible.

D

Reasoning that is specific, exact and sufficiently detailed is said to be: a) Deep b) Accurate c) Clear d) Precise

D

The ability to reconstruct others' viewpoints exemplifies which of the following traits? a) intellectual autonomy b) intellectual perseverance c) intellectual humility d) intellectual empathy

D

The elements of reasoning are also known as the: a) Parts of thinking b) Fundamental structures of thought c) Standards of thought d) A and B

D

Which of the following graphical forms is well suited to summarizing time series data? a) Pie chart b) Venn diagram c) Bar graph d) Line graph

D

Which of the following represents a difficulty with surveys as evidence? a) Survey questions are sometimes worded ambiguously b) Survey responses don't necessarily reflect the actual beliefs of respondents c) Surveys have built-in biases d) All of the above

D

Which of the following statements about thinking through content would Paul and Elder NOT agree with? a) It's vital to learn concepts since that is how content is organized. b) It's vital to understand how content is interrelated. c) Concepts define and structure a body of content. d) It's possible to learn a body of content without thinking through the connections between its parts.

D

Which of the following statements does NOT conform to Paul and Elder's foundations of ethical reasoning? a) We should respect clear-cut ethical principles. b) We must learn how to apply ethical concepts and principles to ethical issues. c) We should distinguish ethical principles from other domains. d) We can pick and choose our ethical principles.

D

Which of the following statements falsely represents Paul and Elder's views of the news media? a) It is vital that citizens recognize bias, slanting, and propaganda in news coverage. b) The major media fosters sociocentric thinking. c) There is a bias towards reporting what is novel, strange, or sensational. d) Events can be viewed and interpreted from one objective point-of-view.

D

Which of the following statements represent the negative impact of sociocentrism? a) false sense of superiority b) close-mindedness c) suppression of opposing viewpoints d) all of the above

D

Which term means the tendency to view everything in relationship to oneself? a) self-preoccupation b) narcissism c) solipsism d) egocentrism

D

"Is basketball or ice hockey more fun to watch?" is a: a) question of fact b) question of preference c) question of judgment d) question at issue

B

Actively using information that is false, although we mistakenly think it is true, is an example of: a) Inert Information b) Activated Ignorance c) Activated Knowledge d) Critical thinking

B

An unsupported claim is what critical thinking experts refer to as a(n): a) Preliminary conclusion b) Opinion c) Deductive assertion d) Inference

B

Another term for critical thinking is: a) first-order thinking b) second-order thinking c) primary d) secondary

B

Citing majority sentiment or popular opinion as the reason for supporting a claim is an example of: a) appeal to authority b) appeal to popularity c) hasty generalization d) slippery slope

B

Distinctions between the elements of reasoning are_______ not ________. a) Absolute/Relative b) Relative/Absolute c) Subjective/Objective d) Objective/Subjective

B

Hiding or distorting evidence illustrates which of the following? a) strong-sense thinking b) weak-sense thinking c) intellectual cunning d) first-order thinking

B

In analyzing causation, looking for a causal factor that is present in one situation but absent in another, similar, situation is called the: a) common factor method b) single difference method c) concomitant variation method d) process of elimination method

B

In strategic thinking, engaging and challenging your own thinking is which component? a) Identification b) Intellectual action c) Weak-sense thinking d) Strong-sense thinking

B

In thinking through a problem, the critical thinker does all of the following except: a) raises vital questions b) gathers information that supports his/her presuppositions c) thinks open-mindedly d) reaches well-reasoned conclusions

B

It is impossible to interpret the significance of a percentage without knowing the _________ on which it is based. a) Relative numbers b) Absolute numbers c) Statistical sample d) Median

B

Of the five key factors Jefferson Flanders identifies in evaluating research, which one best addresses tracing the origins of the information? a) Authority b) Transparency c) Point-of-view d) Accuracy

B

Strong analogies entail comparisons between things that have _________ and lack _________. a) Similarities/differences b) Relevant similarities/relevant differences c) Relevant differences/relevant similarities d) Similar characteristics/contradictions

B

Theories are examples of: a) Information b) Concepts c) Points of View d) Assumptions

B

To admit flaws in one's own thinking is an expression of: a) intellectual perseverance b) intellectual integrity c) intellectual arrogance d) intellectual autonomy

B

What are the three kinds of implications that may be involved in any situation? a) Possible, probable, impossible b) Possible, probable, necessary c) Possible, probable, conceivable d) Possible, probable, remote

B

What is the term for the goal or desired outcome of our reasoning? a) Consequence b) Purpose c) Result d) Dividend

B

Which of the following is an example of the logic of egocentric thinking applied to point of view? a) What is your view on the matter? b) I don't really care what anyone thinks, I deserve to be rewarded and that's the way it is. c) I should review this proposal with my colleagues and see what impact it might have on them. d) I am sure that we can deal with your concerns in resolving this matter.

B

Which of the following is not a bad habit of thought? a) making generalizations unsupported by evidence b) reasoning from assumptions that are not one's own c) viewing the world from one vantage point d) stereotyping

B

Which of the following statements is NOT true about the gap between the real and ideal in academic disciplines or fields of study, according to Paul and Elder? a) Egocentrism contributes to the gap b) Higher order thinking contributes to the gap. c) Sociocentrism contributes to the gap d) Human fallibility contributes to the gap

B

____________________ involves developing the tools of critical thinking and applying them to current and future challenges. a) Shallow learning b) Deep learning c) Weak-sense critical thinking d) none of the above

B

"Reasoning can only be as sound as the ________________ it is based on." a) hypothesis b) inferences c) information d) conclusions

C

A research study is an example of which kind of evidence? a) Qualitative b) Admissible c) Quantitative d) Credible

C

A scientist discovered that all laboratory hamsters that had been eating lettuce developed Salmonella poisoning. This is an example of causation by: a) common factor b) single difference c) concomitant variation d) process of elimination

C

An effective approach to correcting egocentric myopia would be to: a) focus on complexities and restating them b) review our thinking for realism c) consider points of views that conflict with ours d) none of the above

C

Bringing an unbiased perspective to all relevant viewpoints exemplifies which of the following? a) intellectual humility b) relativism c) fair-mindedness d) intellectual integrity

C

Critical Thinking involves _________________ one's own thinking a) analyzing, evaluating, and rationalizing b) analyzing, evaluating, and justifying c) analyzing, evaluating, and improving d) criticizing

C

Critical thinking values ________ of thought over ______ of thought. a) depth/speed b) speed/depth c) speed/conformity d) conformity/speed

A

Dismissing an argument by attacking the person who offers it rather than by refuting its reasoning is an example of: a) ad hominem fallacy b) appeal to authority c) appeal to popularity d) red herring

A

Ignoring complexity and embracing a version of reality that conforms to our existing views, values, and beliefs is an example of: a) egocentric oversimplification b) egocentric immediacy c) egocentric absurdity d) egocentric blindness

A

In some cases, the conclusions we draw are based on assumptions that operate at a(n) ________ level. a) Subconscious b) Conscious c) Subliminal d) Irrational

A

In strategic thinking, recognizing when your thinking is irrational or flawed is which component? a) Identification b) Intellectual action c) Weak-sense thinking d) Strong-sense thinking

A

The opposite of intellectual conformity is: a) intellectual autonomy b) intellectual perseverance c) intellectual courage d) intellectual integrity

A

When is the optimal time for a learner to apply the Elements of Reasoning to the logic of a subject? a) Before the learner has begun his or her course of study b) Early in the learning process c) After the learner has mastered the basics of the body of content d) It doesn't matter

A

Which elements of reasoning are operative when we think through a problem? a) All eight elements b) It depends on the nature of the problem c) It depends on the scope of the problem d) It depends on whether the problem is simple or complex

A

Which kind of evidence describes the meaning (i.e., the why and how) of something? a) Qualitative b) Admissible c) Quantitative d) Credible

A