Deck 6: Critical Thinking

Question 1

_____ is defined as "the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion."

A) Brainstorming
B) Reflecting
C) Creativity
D) Critical thinking

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Critical thinking helps students to

A) memorize the material they read in textbooks.
B) take word-for-word notes during lectures.
C) become active, engaged citizens.
D) produce examples that embrace the status quo.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Which is one of the five steps for critical thinking?

A) asking and answering questions
B) taking verbatim notes
C) reading only assigned material
D) memorizing facts without context

Answer 3

A

Question 4

_____ means combining different aspects of information in a coherent and meaningful way.

A) Synthesizing
B) Evaluating
C) Analyzing
D) Applying

Question 5

You are more likely to think deeply if you

A) accept the information in books and lectures as absolute fact.
B) examine information in isolation, ignoring what you already know.
C) remember that your primary goal is to get a good grade.
D) personalize material and make it matter to you.

Question 6

Margot is specializing in biology because she wants to be a physician. She is also required to take a course in civics, but she isn't really interested in it. What should Margot do to make herself think more deeply about the information presented in her civics course?

A) remind herself that a bad grade will affect her GPA
B) take verbatim notes during lectures and class discussions
C) figure out how to make the material relevant to her life
D) record lectures with an audio recorder rather than take written notes

Question 7

The steps of critical thinking should be completed in what order?

A) in the order listed in the textbook
B) from easiest to most difficult
C) from most to least relevant
D) any order you choose

Question 8

Which aspect of critical thinking focuses primarily on asking questions frequently and finding answers?

A) applying
B) conceptualizing
C) synthesizing
D) evaluating

Question 9

Sam's Economics instructor states that cutting tax rates for the middle class will stimulate the economy. Sam agrees with the instructor's statement. If Sam is a critical thinker, he will

A) ask himself whether he has enough evidence to support his decision to agree.
B) state that the instructor is correct because she is an expert in economics.
C) repeat the instructor's reasoning verbatim if other students challenge the statement.
D) ignore evidence that suggests a tax cut for the middle class would stagnate the economy.

Question 10

During a Sociology lecture, Kitoko's instructor states that discrimination is more prevalent today than at any other time in American history. Kitoko is shocked by this statement because she believes that while discrimination still exists, significant strides have been made in the last few generations. As a critical thinker, what should Kitoko do?

A) assume that it doesn't matter whether she agrees with the instructor
B) wait to see if anyone else disagrees before saying anything
C) speak up and share her perspective with the class
D) assume that she is incorrect because the instructor is more knowledgeable

Question 11

When you work with a study group, it is important to

A) agree with other members' conclusions.
B) think as an individual.
C) wait to be called on to share your thoughts.
D) engage in groupthink.

Question 12

The five steps for critical thinking work best when applied to

A) math and science courses.
B) courses in the social sciences.
C) courses in the arts.
D) all of your academic experiences in college.

Question 13

What is the first step of problem solving?

A) Understand the root of the problem.
B) Determine the best solution to the problem.
C) Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem.
D) Gather information to help solve the problem.

Question 14

When solving a problem, what should you do next after gathering and analyzing information?

A) determine the root of the problem
B) select the best solution
C) brainstorm possible solutions
D) seek additional information about the problem

Question 15

What should you do if you identify more than one solution to a problem?

A) select the first idea you came up with
B) use trial and error to determine the best one
C) implement all of the proposed solutions
D) go back and determine the root of the problem

Question 16

Ricardo was chosen to be the leader of a group project for his cultural anthropology course. The group was instructed to research a topic and make a presentation to the rest of the class. Today, the group is holding its first meeting, but it isn't going well. Two members are arguing about when the group should meet, and the other three members are debating which topic to research. Finally, one of the members turns to Ricardo and says, "You're in charge, what do you think we should do?" If Ricardo is going to use critical thinking to make a decision, what should he do first?

A) gather and analyze relevant information
B) select the best suggested course of action
C) clarify the decision that needs to be made
D) weigh the pros and cons of his options

Question 17

April needs to pick out a gift for her father's birthday, and she's narrowed it down to two choices-a watch or a chess set. As she thinks about her options, she notes that the watch is something he would wear every day, and it would remind him of her every time he looks at it. However, it is a bit expensive. On the other hand, the chess set is a gift that he will use with her, letting them spend time together, although she can get a bit competitive sometimes. What is April doing as she ponders her decision?

A) identifying one choice as the best possible option
B) clarifying the decision she needs to make
C) gathering and analyzing relevant information
D) weighing the pros and cons of her options

Question 18

Which question should you ask yourself when critically evaluating your reaction to an argument that is being presented?

A) How important is this argument to me?
B) Is my support for this argument likely to affect my grade?
C) How many people agree with this argument?
D) Does this argument make sense?

Question 19

During lectures or when you read, you should

A) ignore evidence that supports an opposing position.
B) try to poke holes in the argument.
C) assume that all of the relevant information is presented.
D) rely on the position being presented as fact.

Question 20

Critical thinking is essential when you are being creative because as you come up with novel ideas or explanations during the creative process, you need to

A) analyze whether they make sense.
B) implement them immediately.
C) verify that they are truly unique.
D) embrace the conventional position.

Question 21

All aspects of college academic life require that you use critical thinking skills.

Question 22

To be truly active and engaged in a job, people must think deeply about whatever information and experiences they encounter.

Question 23

If you agree with a person's position on an issue, it's important to ask yourself why.

Question 24

College is a time to readily accept all information presented to you by your instructors because they are experts in their fields.

Question 25

To be an effective critical thinker, you must always focus on the detail being discussed in the moment and disregard the big picture.

Question 26

The less you bring your past experiences into the college learning process, the more powerful your critical thinking skills will be.

Question 27

Agreeing with every argument made in a classroom discussion prevents you from thinking critically about the information presented.

Question 28

When groupthink arises out of a study group discussion, the group has discovered the right way to think about an issue.

Question 29

In addition to academics, you can apply your critical thinking skills to everyday college life.

Question 30

You should always take time to reflect after you've chosen a solution to your problem or made a decision.

Question 31

Why do colleges want students to develop critical thinking skills?

Question 32

Identify three reasons why asking questions is an important element of critical thinking.

Question 33

What should you do if you have a question during a class but you're afraid to ask it because it might make you look foolish? Why should you do this?

Question 34

List three questions that you should ask yourself when faced with an argument to help build your critical thinking skills.

Question 35

Identify three ways you use critical thinking in everyday college life.

Question 36

Describe the five steps for critical thinking in an academic setting and use specific examples to illustrate each step.

Question 37

Think of a time when a historical figure made an important decision. Describe how he or she would have used critical thinking when making the decision. Include examples in your response.

Question 38

Make a case for critical thinking in the classroom and beyond, using examples to illustrate your position.

Question 39

Think of a scenario in which you would need to use critical thinking in a personal or social (not academic) setting. Describe the scenario and explain how and why you would use critical thinking. Include examples to support your argument.

Question 40

Describe three scenarios in the college environment in which creativity and critical thinking are linked. For each example, explain how creativity is relevant.