Below is a small selection of Critical Thinking sample questions. Correct answers are displayed and are accompanied by a brief explanation to demonstrate how the questions work.
INFERENCES
People draw conclusions from observations or facts that are before them – this is called inference. For example, when two children are playing ball in a backyard, one suddenly climbs over the fence into the property next door. A neighbour watching at a distance might infer that the ball has gone over the fence. This inference may or may not be true. It could be that the child actually lives next door and has decided to take a short cut home. If the child does not hop back over the fence and re-join the game, then the latter inference is more likely to be true.
In this test, each exercise begins with a statement of facts that you are to accept as being accurate. After each statement some possible inferences are provided. Examine each inference and decide how accurate it is.
For each inference, you must determine:
- if the inference is definitely CORRECT.
- if the inference is PROBABLY CORRECT.
- if there is INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION provided.
- if the inference is PROBABLY INCORRECT.
- if the inference is definitely INCORRECT.
Statement
The man exited the supermarket and walked straight to his car, his hands full of shopping bags. As he approached the car he paused, awkwardly feeling around his pockets, shifting shopping bags from one hand to the other as he did so. At the car, he put the bags on the ground and searched his pockets once more. He peered into the car and, almost immediately, threw his arms in the air and kicked the wheel of the car. Then, reaching into a pocket again, he pulled out his phone.
Proposed Inference
The man has locked his keys in the car.
Correct
Probably Correct
Insufficient Information
Probably Incorrect
Incorrect
Probably Correct, because he does not immediately produce any keys, nor does he turn back as if to look for them. Instead, he tries to contact someone on his phone. However, it is possible he does have keys in his possession and there is another reason why he will not open the car.
The man is phoning the supermarket where he did his shopping, to check whether he has left his keys there.
Correct
Probably Correct
Insufficient Information
Probably Incorrect
Incorrect
Probably Incorrect, because the circumstances point to the keys being in the car. If he thought he had left his keys at the supermarket, he is more likely to have returned there on foot.
The man is at the wrong car.
Correct
Probably Correct
Insufficient Information
Probably Incorrect
Incorrect
Incorrect, because if that were so, he would have examined it more closely to be sure about where he was. All his actions suggest it is his car.
The man is ringing his wife to ask her to bring a set of keys.
Correct
Probably Correct
Insufficient Information
Probably Incorrect
Incorrect
Insufficient Information, because, it may not be his wife that he is ringing and he may be seeking alternative help if the keys are locked inside.
The man approached the car after doing some shopping.
Correct
Probably Correct
Insufficient Information
Probably Incorrect
Incorrect
Correct, because the shopping bags show this was the case.
ASSUMPTIONS
An assumption is something preconceived or taken for granted. Assumptions are usually based upon experience or knowledge that leads to an interpretation of events according to prior learned expectations. For instance, if Tina were to say “I will travel overseas later this year,” she is making the assumption that she will be given time off work, will have the money to cover the cost and will have the good health to actually go.
Each statement below is followed by proposed assumptions that the person making the statement could be taking for granted. Decide for each assumption whether it is justifiable or not.
- If the proposed assumption is justifiable (based on the statement), or can be taken for granted, select YES
- If the assumption can not necessarily be taken for granted (based on the statement), select NO.
Statement
“If we are to be certain of arriving on time, we had better catch the train.”
Proposed Assumption
The train is a more reliable means of transport than any other option on this occasion.
Yes
No
YES, because it is assumed from previous experience that the trains run to a timetable and are thus more predictable.
There is a train service that can be accessed and that will take them close enough to their destination.
Yes
No
YES, because the statement necessarily assumes that there is a train service which they can use.
The train is the fastest form of transport available.
Yes
No
NO. This is to confuse speed with reliability.
DEDUCTIONS
In this test, each exercise consists of a number of statements, followed by three proposed conclusions. For the purpose of this exercise, accept the statement in each exercise as absolutely accurate.
- If the conclusion necessarily follows from the statements given, select YES.
- If it does not necessarily follow from the statements given, select NO, even though you may think it is true according to your own experience.
Try not to let your own knowledge or experience influence your judgment; accept the given statements as accurate and judge whether each conclusion follows.
Please note that in exercises in deduction of this type, the word “some” in any statement means an indefinite part of the whole of a class of things. This means “some” could be any amount between one and all of a class of things. It can never be none, but it just might be all. Thus, “Some dark clouds are rain-bearing” means at least one, perhaps more than one, and possibly even all dark clouds are rain-bearing. You may think the idea that every dark cloud that passes will bring rain is unlikely in the light of your experience; in the theoretical world of logic it is possible.
Statement
“Whenever it rains, the clouds are dark. The clouds overhead are dark now. Therefore…”
Proposed Deductions
It will rain.
Yes
No
NO, the conclusion does not follow, because it assumes that the statement’s underlying premise is ALL dark clouds bring rain. From the way this statement is worded, it can only be assumed that SOME dark clouds bring rain. Thus, there is a confusion of “some and “all” in this conclusion.
It might rain.
Yes
No
YES, this conclusion necessarily follows from the statement because the dark clouds the writer observes might not be rain-bearing.
If it is not raining now, it soon will.
Yes
No
NO, this conclusion does not follow from the statement, even if your experience tells you that it is likely to be true.
CONCLUSIONS
Each of the following exercises consists of a short paragraph followed by some proposed conclusions. For the purpose of this test, you must assume that everything said in the short paragraph is absolutely accurate. You are asked to judge whether each proposed conclusion logically follows from the information given in the paragraph.
- If the proposed conclusion logically follows beyond any reasonable doubt, select YES.
- If the conclusion does not follow beyond any reasonable doubt, select NO.
Judge each proposed conclusion independently.
Statement
Dutch and Portuguese explorers discovered Australian shores long before Captain Cook landed at Botany Bay. The problem was there were no spices to be found and nothing else of value to be traded.
Proposed Conclusion
Spices must have been a sought after commodity in the days of the Dutch and Portuguese explorers.
Yes
No
YES. This follows beyond any reasonable doubt from the information given.
Unlike Cook, the Dutch and Portuguese did not see the potential of Botany Bay.
Yes
No
NO. This does not logically follow from the information provided. They may have seen the potential of the area but had other orders or continued on their journey with the intent to return at a later stage.
The Dutch and Portuguese were skilled navigators long before the British.
Yes
No
NO. This does not follow beyond any reasonable doubt. The Dutch/Portuguese may have stumbled on Australia or the British may have developed navigational skills at the same time as the Dutch and Portuguese but may not have been exploring in Australian waters.
ARGUMENTS
When making decisions on key issues, sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between arguments which are strong and those which are weak. For an argument to be strong, it has to be significant, well-reasoned and relevant to the question. An argument, even though it may be an important point in itself, is weak if it is irrelevant, emotive or only picks up on frivolous side issues.
For the purpose of this test, you are to regard each argument as true. The task then is to decide whether it is a strong or a weak argument. Judge each argument on its merits. Try not to allow personal feelings on the issue to influence your evaluation, since each argument is to be accepted as true.
- Select STRONG if the argument is strong.
- Select WEAK if the argument is weak.
Statement
Should plastic shopping bags be banned because of the environmental damage they cause?
Proposed Argument
Yes; for instance, large quantities of plastic bags end up in the ocean and endanger marine life. They are a recognised environmental hazard.
Strong
Weak
This is a STRONG argument because protecting marine life is ecologically and economically important.
No; there is no point because the alternatives are just as bad. For instance, using paper bags means chopping down more trees.
Strong
Weak
WEAK. While this argument may be of importance in itself, it does not address the problems caused by the dumping of plastic shopping bags.
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