Critical Thinking Exam Preparation

These flashcards cover critical thinking concepts, reasoning, and logical evaluation based on scenarios presented in the lecture notes.

consider the statement “ all sick people should see a doctor. an elderly man is ill”  therefore the man 

should see a doctor 

A science student is watching a television debate on the gene(c cloning of animals. In order

for the student to make a reasoned decision, the student must first

Consider all the points of view.

Consider the following 1) in ancient (mes, civiliza(ons recorded their religious and cultural ideas and life(me records in clay. 2) Both famous and common people were honored in clay. 3) In fact, most of what we know of ancient civilizaons come from studying clay pottery. 4) all of the pots and bowls were made of clay. Assuming the preceding statements are true, statements two, three, and four

Provide support for statement one.

A college student is enrolled in a nuclear physics class. On the first day of class the instructor gives the student a reading assignment containing a long list of unfamiliar terms in order to build a strong knowledge base what should the student do?

Define the terms prior to reading the assignment.

Suppose a study of heroin users shows 70% had used marijuana before they tried heroin. The conclusion of the study States all marijuana users will eventually try heroin the conclusion is

It is a hasty generalization.

 Assume that whenever spring is late, the birds and the bees are small and hungry. Based on this assumption, which statement must be true?

if the bess are not small and the birds are not hungry spring is not late 

An elderly woman has cancer and is given the op(on of receiving an experimental drug to treat the cancer or receiving pain medication to control excessive pain. The cancer treatment might extend her life for 6 months. However, the woman chooses to use the pain medication as needed. All of the following changes support the women's choice except?

The woman's family wants her to receive the cancer treatmen

The harmful effects of long term alcohol use are well documented. Which course of information best explains the harmful effects?

Statistical data of the identified effects.

Police officers maintain the law. It is illegal to run a stoplight, therefore, police officers

may issue a ticket if you run a stoplight 

A woman reads a magazine article about high blood pressure. after talking with her mother, the woman realizes that her mother is experiencing the same symptoms that are described in the article. What is the best course of action?

Seek medical guidance based on the signs of high BP.

 A school has seven classrooms: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The principal must choose five students, each from a different classroom, to perform in a special play. Any combination of five students will be appropriate, except if a student from classroom 1 is selected, then no one from class 5 may be chosen. Also, if a student from class 3 is selected, then someone from classroom 5 must also be selected. If someone from classroom 2 is in the play, then a student from classroom 6 must also be selected. Which combination of students meets all of the criteria?

2, 3, 4, 5, 6.

An advertisement reads, "Neutrasplash helps prevent lines and wrinkles. Look younger today". Which statement gives a critical evaluation of this advertisement?

The phrase "help prevent" eliminates any promises about the performance of this product

A researcher collects information regarding the relationship of drinking orange juice and preventing the common cold. Which method would best assist the researcher in reaching a conclusion?

 Analyze the research data found in the scien(fic journals

Building L is shorter than building X. Building Y is shorter than building L, but building M is shorter than building Y; therefore Building Y is shorter than building J. What premise must be added to require the conclusion to be true, assuming all of the premises are true?

Building J is taller than M

A grocery clerk believes strongly in telling the truth however he lies to in Intruders who asked him where the store safe is kept. How could this contraindication be best explained? the grocery store clerk

believes strongly in his work responsibalities 

Charlie and spot are dogs assume whenever it is hot Charlie and spot are lazy and quiet based on this assump(on which statement must be true

If Fido is quiet or spot is lazy. It is hot

Consider the statement if anything is a rose then that thing smells sweet which of the following statements provide the best interpreta(on of the statement

roses smell sweet

In a scien(fic study of resources there that fed an iron-rich diet for six months 75% of the horses showed an increase in track speed with a 90 days. This Improvement could have happened randomly or by chance was ruled out with a high degree of confidence if the above statements are true the study of sta(s(cal findings confirm

3.iron-rich food feed is associated with an increased track speed and resources

Reflect on this statement: "A student received a 50% on a research paper, therefore, that student is a poor writer." The sentence best describes:

One of the possible explanations for the student's score

A newspaper advertisement states, "only those seeking hard work and long hours should apply for this job." Which statement expresses the same idea?

You should not apply for this job unless you seek hard work and long hours

It has been said " No one grows up in the same family" an explanation for this saying is:

Birth order and family circumstances influence each child experience

Reflect on this statement: “Ballet dancers are neither overweight nor clumsy. If someone is not overweight, then that person is graceful.” Which of the following statements is true. if both of the above statements are true?

Every ballet dancer is graceful and not clumsy.

A high school biology student studied the effects of sunlight on plant growth for two months. Which method best illustrates the relaltionship of sunlight to plant growth?

A bar graph describing the weekly growth patterns

In a debate regarding solutions to the rising costs of health care, several points of view are communicated, In order to make an informed decision about the issues, what should a consumer do?

Consider the advantages and disadvantages of each solution.

On a school playground, the teacher states, "look at those children running one right after the other. They are so close together that if one of them stops, the next one will run into the other. So, if one stops, they will fall down. Assuming the above statement is true, the main claim of the passage is?

must also be true

A congressional candidate you oppose will write a newspaper article proposing new air traffic control regulations. To draw a conclusion about the article you would

Focus your attention on the argument being made

A person sits on a jury that is trying a case for someone suspected of murder. To make a decision about the guilt or innocence of the suspect, what should the jury consider?

open minded to the evidence and to the law

Consider the following to determine the same pattern of latters, if ABCCBA, then

MNOONM

The sky is full of clouds; therefore, it will rain today. Which statement best categorizes the reasoning of the speaker?

Faulty . the clouds may not be rain clouds

A chef conducts a cooking class and States this frying pan allows for several cooking methods which statement is the best interpreta(on of this claim

not every frying pan uses the same cooking method

A spokesperson for a car manufacturer states, “There are two popular arguments that favor the 55 mph speed limit. First it saves lives, second it saves wear and tear on the car, however millions of people drive faster than the speed limit and their car show no signs of break down so I say there is no sense to the 55mph speed limit”; the speaker's reasoning is best evaluated as

faulty. it did not consider arguments about the speed limit saving lives

Afterr a couple returns from an evening out, they drive the babysitter home. The next day, the wife discovers that her favorite bracelet is missing from her jewelry box. Which statement represents the most reasonable explanation of this situation?

A conclusion cannot be made based on the evidence

Consider this statement: "Exceptional students are neither arrogant nor lazy. If a student is not arrogant, he is humble." Which of the following must be true if both of the previous statements are true?

Every exceptional student is humble and not lazy.

You have two difficult 'blind dates' arranged by your best friend. Your cousin arranges for you to go out with a friend she thinks is perfect for you. Your best course of ac(on is to:

arrange to talk to the date by phone

An insurance company proposes a new health care policy that would guarantee health care coverage for all citizens. In order to assist policy holders in making a decision, which information should company representatives include in the explanation of the new health care coverage?

A statement showing evidence that the benefits will outweigh the costs

The mayor of the city states, "The new highway project has divided our neighborhood. The people on the north do not speak to those on the south. The project has led to name-calling, bickering and hurt feelings. I think the new highway is a big mistake for this neighborhood." Assuming the supporttng statements are true, the mayors conclusion:

 Is probably true, but may be false

 A man goes to the doctor's office complaining about severe headaches and seeing bright, flashing lights. The doctor orders several tests, however, all of the test results are normal. Which statement provides the best explanation?

Even though the tests are normal, continual monitoring is needed.

Read the following statement: "Only people seeking rest and relaxation should buy a boat. Which statement expresses the same idea?

People should not buy a boat unless they want rest and relaxa(on

Consider the following statement: "not all actors are ready for the plan to open." this statement expresses the same idea as:

At least one actor is not ready for the play to open