1. What is the definition of productivity in the context of
comparisons?
A) the capacity of a person to generate as many options as
possible for a solution to a specific problem
B) the capacity of a comparison to suggest consequences that
go beyond those mentioned in the initial comparison
C) the capacity of an issue or problem to essentially solve
itself given enough time
D) the capacity of an individual to promote his or her
agenda when coming up with solutions to problems
Correct Answer(s): B
2.
Eli is an engineer. He finds comparative inferences to be
effective for
A) testing hypotheses.
B) making initial assumptions.
C) complicating issues.
D) serving as a final proof.
Correct Answer(s): B
3.
Marsha often uses devices like metaphors and similes to
communicate
A) her insights about what "this is like that."
B) the one correct answer to a situation.
C) her background in linguistics.
D) the pitfalls of comparative reasoning.
Correct Answer(s): A
4.
When engaging in comparisons, the virtue of simplicity must
be balanced with the importance of
A) relatedness.
B) productivity.
C) allegory.
D) comprehensiveness.
Correct Answer(s): D
5.
Which of the following statements about the four texts of
acceptability is true?
A) They do not apply to comparative reasoning.
B) They must be refined to use with comparative reasoning.
C) They can be used as is with comparative reasoning.
D) They have been proven irrelevant for comparative
reasoning.
Correct Answer(s): B
6.
Gerard is teaching a critical thinking course. He asks his
students to give the five criteria for evaluating comparative inferences. Which
of the following responses would be wrong?
A) Testability
B) Simplicity
C) Productivity
D) Marketability
Correct Answer(s): D
7.
___________ is the capacity of comparisons to project
consequences that have the potential to be shown to be false, inapplicable, or
unacceptable.
A) Conjecture
B) Negativity
C) Analysis
D) Testability
Correct Answer(s): D
8.
Margene asks the following question: "Does the
comparison of teaching high school students to arresting criminals capture
enough of the critical elements?" She is trying to determine the _______
of the comparison.
A) congeniality
B) correlation
C) calculation
D) comprehensiveness
Correct Answer(s): D
9.
Julie is a strong critical thinker. She knows that
comparative inferences are typically ________ in nature.
A) intellectual
B) contradictory
C) conservative
D) inductive
Correct Answer(s): D
10.
Ellen is closely examining the comparison of high school
students to criminals in the comparison "Teaching high school students in
just like wrangling criminals." What is she most likely doing?
A) Rejecting the comparison
B) Pre-editing the comparison
C) Simplifying the comparison
D) Testing the comparison
Correct Answer(s): D
11.
Which of the following statements about comparative
inferences is false?
A) They should not be both simple and comprehensive.
B) They should be evaluated according to five criteria.
C) They can be useful if used correctly.
D) They are typically inductive in nature.
Correct Answer(s): A
12.
Asking Jeff to explain his homework is like asking Rousseau
to explain Emile. One could say that this analogy is lacking in which of the
five criteria outlined in the text?
A) Testability
B) Productivity
C) Adaptability
D) Familiarity
Correct Answer(s): D
13.
In the context of making comparisons, how would one define
familiarity?
A) the result of consulting with numerous experts about the
two objects being compared
B) the process by which one comes to a decision involving
both familiar and unfamiliar elements
C) the degree of knowledge the listening person has about
the object to which the unknown is being compared
D) the measurement by which a person evaluates only one of
the options to a given issue or problem
Correct Answer(s): C
14.
What is comparative reasoning?
A) the process of culling the most viable options for a
solution from a pool of both good and bad options
B) the process of placing two elements in front of you and
creating a pro/con list for each of them
C) the process of comparing one expert's opinion on a
subject to another expert's opinion on the same subject
D) the process of using what is more familiar to make
interpretations, explanations, or inferences about what is less familiar
Correct Answer(s): D
15.
Anna is trying to determine the superiority of her
comparative inference. Which criterion should she begin with?
A) Familiarity
B) Simplicity
C) Comprehensiveness
D) Plausibility
Correct Answer(s): A
16.
Which of the following statements about comparative
inferences is true?
A) Superior comparative inferences are comprehensive.
B) Comparative inferences cannot be superior or inferior.
C) Inferior comparative inferences are simple.
D) All comparative inferences are superior.
Correct Answer(s): A
17.
George uses the phrase "hotter than hell" quite
regularly. This phrase is
A) an analytical catchphrase.
B) an obscure reference.
C) an overused cliché.
D) a unique observation.
Correct Answer(s): C
18.
___________, in the evaluation of comparisons, is the
measure of the relative absence of complexity.
A) Simplicity
B) Controllability
C) Correctness
D) Interpretation
Correct Answer(s): A
19.
Kathy is a strong critical thinker. She knows that
comprehensive comparisons are more likely to be ________ than unfamiliar ones.
A) rejected
B) productive
C) marginalized
D) calculated
Correct Answer(s): B
20.
Martin is a critical thinking instructor who is teaching his
students about testing comparisons. What would he most likely tell them to ask?
A) Is element 1 a better choice than element 2?
B) Should an expert be called in to test the comparison?
C) Are the two elements being compared incongruous in any
way?
D) Can the comparison be applied to my personal life?
Correct Answer(s): C
