CRITICAL THINKING REASON AND EVIDENCE
401 2026 TEST PAPER SOLVED QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS
◉ An individual read a report that professional athletes spend an
average of thirty hours per week exercising at the gym. Based on this
report, the individual concludes that people who belong to a gym
spend an average of thirty hours per week exercising. Which concept
does this conclusion illustrate? Answer: Selection bias & Anchoring
◉ Quinn favors strict industry regulations. Robin disagrees because
they would increase costs for many businesses and stifle the
economy. Robin does, however, understand and acknowledge that
industrial operations have environmental and social impacts and
that regulatory measures may help prevent unnecessary harm.
Which argumentation concept does this passage illustrate. Answer:
The principle of charity & Heuristics
◉ Which argumentation concept does the following passage
illustrate? "Some people point to the large number of unidentified
flying object sightings and the discovery of many earth-like planets
in the universe as evidence of extraterrestrial life. I don't take this
evidence seriously, though, because I do not believe in
extraterrestrial life.". Answer: Confirmation bias
, ◉ A person is buying a car. The car salesperson initially quotes a
base price. The buyer relies on this initial quote to make a
purchasing decision despite the subsequent addition of options that
significantly increase the final price. Which cognitive bias is the
buyer exhibiting?. Answer: Anchoring and adjustment
◉ A university student surveys incoming freshmen to understand
how students at the university feel about a proposed tuition
increase. Which statements are true regarding this statistical
sample?. Answer: It is not representative. & It is not random.
◉ Alex notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social media
posts, and other information she sees on the internet reinforce her
belief that the government is conspiring against her. Based on this
information, which conclusion can Alex reasonably have regarding
her view on the issue?. Answer: Her suspicion is correct. & She
cannot conclude anything.
◉ Why do strong critical thinkers monitor their own biases?.
Answer: To minimize their biases & To understand how their biases
influence their thinking
◉ A person notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social
media posts, and other information he sees on the internet mirror
his personal likes and dislikes. Based on this information, what can
this person reasonably conclude?. Answer: Algorithms may be
linking him with like-minded information.
401 2026 TEST PAPER SOLVED QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS
◉ An individual read a report that professional athletes spend an
average of thirty hours per week exercising at the gym. Based on this
report, the individual concludes that people who belong to a gym
spend an average of thirty hours per week exercising. Which concept
does this conclusion illustrate? Answer: Selection bias & Anchoring
◉ Quinn favors strict industry regulations. Robin disagrees because
they would increase costs for many businesses and stifle the
economy. Robin does, however, understand and acknowledge that
industrial operations have environmental and social impacts and
that regulatory measures may help prevent unnecessary harm.
Which argumentation concept does this passage illustrate. Answer:
The principle of charity & Heuristics
◉ Which argumentation concept does the following passage
illustrate? "Some people point to the large number of unidentified
flying object sightings and the discovery of many earth-like planets
in the universe as evidence of extraterrestrial life. I don't take this
evidence seriously, though, because I do not believe in
extraterrestrial life.". Answer: Confirmation bias
, ◉ A person is buying a car. The car salesperson initially quotes a
base price. The buyer relies on this initial quote to make a
purchasing decision despite the subsequent addition of options that
significantly increase the final price. Which cognitive bias is the
buyer exhibiting?. Answer: Anchoring and adjustment
◉ A university student surveys incoming freshmen to understand
how students at the university feel about a proposed tuition
increase. Which statements are true regarding this statistical
sample?. Answer: It is not representative. & It is not random.
◉ Alex notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social media
posts, and other information she sees on the internet reinforce her
belief that the government is conspiring against her. Based on this
information, which conclusion can Alex reasonably have regarding
her view on the issue?. Answer: Her suspicion is correct. & She
cannot conclude anything.
◉ Why do strong critical thinkers monitor their own biases?.
Answer: To minimize their biases & To understand how their biases
influence their thinking
◉ A person notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social
media posts, and other information he sees on the internet mirror
his personal likes and dislikes. Based on this information, what can
this person reasonably conclude?. Answer: Algorithms may be
linking him with like-minded information.
