PRETEST Pretest 2. Which of the following is probably the best Read the following passage and then answer the ques- a. the community college, which offers Wendy a tions that follow full scholarship and has a new but unranked Wendy is a junior in high school and is getting b. an expensive liberal arts college, ranked in the ready to choose a college. She is a serious stu top ten for its premed program, which offers dent and wants to go to the school with the best Wendy a three-quarters scholarship. The col premed program. However, she doesnt want to ge be too far from home because she wants to be c. the state rsity, ranked in the top 20 for its ble to visit her sister, who has recently been in premed program, which offers Wendy a full a serious accident, on a regular basis. Wendy is larship for her first two years and guaran- likely to obtain scholarships-perhaps even a tees continued scholarships if she maintains at full scholarship-but she is worried that her least a B+ grade point average. The state uni- parents may not be able to afford whatever costs versity is two hours away from Wendys home he scholarships don t cover d. Put off school for a few years until Wendy can save up some money and her sister has recov- Which of the following most accurately presents ered. This way, Wendy will be less limited e issues Wendy must consider, in order of which school she can choose academic reputation, financial aid, social life Choose the best answer for each of the following b. location financial aid and academic 3. There are 52 weeks in a year reputation c. financial aid. student services, location b an opinion. d academic reputation, campus environment c. probably a fact, but Id have to verify it first location d. none of the above 4. Grand Canyon National Park encompasses more than 1.2 million acres b an opinion. c. probably a fact, but Id have to verify it first. d. none of the above 5. There's nothing better than a pepperoni pizza! " is b an opinion. c. probably a fact, but Id have to verify it first. d. none of the above
Pretest Read the following passage and then answer the questions that follow. Wendy is a junior in high school and is getting ready to choose a college. She is a serious student and wants to go to the school with the best premed program. However, she doesn’t want to be too far from home because she wants to be able to visit her sister, who has recently been in a serious accident, on a regular basis. Wendy is likely to obtain scholarships—perhaps even a full scholarship—but she is worried that her parents may not be able to afford whatever costs the scholarships don’t cover. 1. Which of the following most accurately presents the issues Wendy must consider, in order of priority? a. academic reputation, financial aid, social life on campus b. location, financial aid, and academic reputation c. financial aid, student services, location d. academic reputation, campus environment, location 2. Which of the following is probably the best choice for Wendy? a. the community college, which offers Wendy a full scholarship and has a new but unranked premed track b. an expensive liberal arts college, ranked in the top ten for its premed program, which offers Wendy a three-quarters scholarship. The college is a ten-hour drive from Wendy’s home. c. the state university, ranked in the top 20 for its premed program, which offers Wendy a full scholarship for her first two years and guarantees continued scholarships if she maintains at least a B+ grade point average. The state university is two hours away from Wendy’s home. d. Put off school for a few years until Wendy can save up some money and her sister has recovered. This way, Wendy will be less limited in which school she can choose. Choose the best answer for each of the following. 3. “There are 52 weeks in a year” is a. a fact. b. an opinion. c. probably a fact, but I’d have to verify it first. d. none of the above. 4. “Grand Canyon National Park encompasses more than 1.2 million acres” is a. a fact. b. an opinion. c. probably a fact, but I’d have to verify it first. d. none of the above. 5. “There’s nothing better than a pepperoni pizza!” is a. a fact. b. an opinion. c. probably a fact, but I’d have to verify it first. d. none of the above. –PRETEST– 5
The following items(6-20)present questions, state- 10. I wouldn,'t listen to what Charlie says about passages ng, and especially not what he says all he does is watch friends speaker's reasoning is flawed. Read each item and select reruns all day. what does he kno the answer choice that m The speaker Choose d if there is no flaw or if the speaker remains valid opinion about politics because he ches friends reruns b. The speaker that the listener will 6. You don' t mean you'd actually support that liar listen to Charlie in the first place if he ran for re-election, do you? c. The speaker doesnt like Friends reruns a. The question is unclear and confusing d. There's nothing wrong with the speaker's b. Inherent in the question is a bias against the c. The question assumes the listener is going 11. I'm sorry I was late professor, it's just that I am to vote really upset. i just found out that I didnt make d. The speaker is remaining neutral the basketball team a. The speaker is bragging 7." New Ginger Snap Soda costs less b. The speaker is trying to appeal to the a. The ad doesn't tell how much the soda costs professors sense of pity. 6. The ad doesnt tell how much other sodas cost C. The speaker's excuse is too vague. c. The ad doesn't tell what the soda costs less than d. The speaker is remaining neutral. d. This ad is fine as it is 12.“You marlene? Well. if 8. Come on, Janet. You're much too smart to pass you dont, don' t worry. The last person who up this opportunity! Besides, I know what a kind disagreed with me only got fired. and generous person you are. a. The speaker is using humor inappropriate The speaker is flattering Janet. b. The speaker is trying to get Marlene fired. b. The speaker is pressuring Janet. C. The speaker is trying to scare Marlene into c. The speaker is trying to scare Janet. agreeing with him d. The speaker is remaining neutral. d. The speaker is remaining neutral 9. "Either we put 40 students in each class or we 13. I didnt pass the entrance exam because the hire two dozen new teachers. There's no other a. The speaker has no credibility. a. The speaker is proposing two equally bad b. The speaker is jumping to conclusions solutions C. The speaker's explanation is irrelevant to b. The speaker is trying to change the subject e claim c. The speaker isnt allowing for other d. There's nothing wrong with the speakers stagger reasoning d. There's nothing wrong with the speakers reasoning
The following items (6–20) present questions, statements, or short passages that illustrate the process of reasoning or critical thinking. In some items, the speaker’s reasoning is flawed. Read each item and select the answer choice that most accurately describes it. Choose d if there is no flaw or if the speaker remains neutral. 6. “You don’t mean you’d actually support that liar if he ran for re-election, do you?” a. The question is unclear and confusing. b. Inherent in the question is a bias against the politician. c. The question assumes the listener is going to vote. d. The speaker is remaining neutral. 7. “New GingerSnap Soda costs less!” a. The ad doesn’t tell how much the soda costs. b. The ad doesn’t tell how much other sodas cost. c. The ad doesn’t tell what the soda costs less than. d. This ad is fine as it is. 8. “Come on, Janet. You’re much too smart to pass up this opportunity! Besides, I know what a kind and generous person you are.” a. The speaker is flattering Janet. b. The speaker is pressuring Janet. c. The speaker is trying to scare Janet. d. The speaker is remaining neutral. 9. “Either we put 40 students in each class or we hire two dozen new teachers. There’s no other choice.” a. The speaker is proposing two equally bad solutions. b. The speaker is trying to change the subject. c. The speaker isn’t allowing for other possibilities, like staggering classes. d. There’s nothing wrong with the speaker’s reasoning. 10. “I wouldn’t listen to what Charlie says about anything, and especially not what he says about politics. I mean, all he does is watch Friends reruns all day. What does he know?” a. The speaker assumes that Charlie can’t have a valid opinion about politics because he watches Friends reruns. b. The speaker assumes that the listener will listen to Charlie in the first place. c. The speaker doesn’t like Friends reruns. d. There’s nothing wrong with the speaker’s reasoning. 11. “I’m sorry I was late professor, it’s just that I am really upset. I just found out that I didn’t make the basketball team.” a. The speaker is bragging. b. The speaker is trying to appeal to the professor’s sense of pity. c. The speaker’s excuse is too vague. d. The speaker is remaining neutral. 12. “You agree with me, don’t you, Marlene? Well, if you don’t, don’t worry. The last person who disagreed with me only got fired.” a. The speaker is using humor inappropriately. b. The speaker is trying to get Marlene fired. c. The speaker is trying to scare Marlene into agreeing with him. d. The speaker is remaining neutral. 13. “I didn’t pass the entrance exam because the weather was so nice.” a. The speaker has no credibility. b. The speaker is jumping to conclusions. c. The speaker’s explanation is irrelevant to the claim. d. There’s nothing wrong with the speaker’s reasoning. –PRETEST– 6
PRETEST 14. Last year, I sprained my ankle jogging, so it is 18. I didn, t cheat on my taxes. I just used creative probably a dangerous sport. accounting techniques. a. The speaker knows very little about dangerous a. The speaker is breaking the law sports. b. The speaker is setting a bad example for others b. The speaker draws an unfair conclusion about C. The speaker is using a slanted phrase for the sport based on just one incident “ cheating c. The speaker is trying to convince others not to d. There's nothing wrong with the speaker's participate in the spor reasoning. d. There's nothing wrong with the speaker 19. I know I didn,'t do a great job on my paper, Professor Lang. But look at how many students 15. I was a really good student in music class, should make a great performer someday a. The student is bringing in an irrelevant issue. a. The speaker is jumping to conclusions. b. The student is blaming other students for her b. The speaker's reasoning is untestable c. The explanation is circular c. The student is making a circular argument d. There's nothing wrong with the speaker's d. There's nothing wrong with the speaker's 16. " Let's not go out tonight, Abe. I' m really tired, 20. Hey, Todd, check this out! Two weeks ago, I were trying to save money, and we have to get up ght this good luck charm, and Ive beer early and work tomorrow. a relaxing night at carrying it around with me every day. Since then home makes more sense I found $20 in the street, I got the apartment I a. The speaker is trying to blame Abe for their was hoping for, and i got a date with Cindy pr This good luck charm really works! b. The speaker is trying to make Abe feel sorry a. The speaker doesn't believe in good luck for he c. The speaker is biased b. The speaker is assuming that the good luck d. There's nothing wrong with the speaker's charm is responsible for his string of good luck. c. The speaker doesn't provide enough evidence that the charm works 17. If we let Roger stay out until midnight, next d. There's nothing wrong with the speakers thing you know he 'll be coming in at one then reasoning. three. and then not at all. a. The speaker is assuming that Roger wants to ay out all night b. The speaker is assuming that X will automati cally lead to Y. c. The speaker is assuming that X and Yare unacceptable alternatives d. There's nothing wrong with the speaker's reasoning
14. “Last year, I sprained my ankle jogging, so it is probably a dangerous sport.” a. The speaker knows very little about dangerous sports. b. The speaker draws an unfair conclusion about the sport based on just one incident. c. The speaker is trying to convince others not to participate in the sport. d. There’s nothing wrong with the speaker’s reasoning. 15. “I was a really good student in music class, so I should make a great performer someday.” a. The speaker is jumping to conclusions. b. The speaker’s reasoning is untestable. c. The explanation is circular. d. There’s nothing wrong with the speaker’s reasoning. 16. “Let’s not go out tonight, Abe. I’m really tired, we’re trying to save money, and we have to get up early and work tomorrow. A relaxing night at home makes more sense.” a. The speaker is trying to blame Abe for their problems. b. The speaker is trying to make Abe feel sorry for her. c. The speaker is biased. d. There’s nothing wrong with the speaker’s reasoning. 17. “If we let Roger stay out until midnight, next thing you know, he’ll be coming in at one, then three, and then not at all.” a. The speaker is assuming that Roger wants to stay out all night. b. The speaker is assuming that X will automatically lead to Y. c. The speaker is assuming that X and Y are unacceptable alternatives. d. There’s nothing wrong with the speaker’s reasoning. 18. “I didn’t cheat on my taxes. I just used creative accounting techniques.” a. The speaker is breaking the law. b. The speaker is setting a bad example for others. c. The speaker is using a slanted phrase for “cheating.” d. There’s nothing wrong with the speaker’s reasoning. 19. “I know I didn’t do a great job on my paper, Professor Lang. But look at how many students cheated on the exam!” a. The student is bringing in an irrelevant issue. b. The student is blaming other students for her problems. c. The student is making a circular argument. d. There’s nothing wrong with the speaker’s reasoning. 20. “Hey, Todd, check this out! Two weeks ago, I bought this good luck charm, and I’ve been carrying it around with me every day. Since then, I found $20 in the street, I got the apartment I was hoping for, and I got a date with Cindy! This good luck charm really works!” a. The speaker doesn’t believe in good luck charms. b. The speaker is assuming that the good luck charm is responsible for his string of good luck. c. The speaker doesn’t provide enough evidence that the charm works. d. There’s nothing wrong with the speaker’s reasoning. – PRETEST– 7
PRETEST In the following situations, which source is most 23. What is the main point(conclusion)of the 21. Regarding the authenticity of a fifty-dollar bill a. a professor of American history abcd 234 a wealthy person d. an official with the Bureau of Engraving and 24. Which of the following is the strongest support Printing(BEP), one of the bureaus of the U.S. Treasury sentence 4 22. In defense of a boy accused of stealing from a ab.d classmate d. sentence 7 b. the principal 25. Sentence 5 is which of the following? a. It is reasonable evidence based on a statistic d. his best friend b. It is reasonable evidence based on common Read the following argument carefully and answer the c. It is based on personal experience questions that follow d. it is not reasonable evidence (1)Although many high-school students might Read the following passages carefully and answer the disagree, it should be a requirement that they questions that follow. ommunity order to graduate. (2)Ninety hours may seem Roberta lost ten pounds in February. That like a long time, but stretched out over the month, she put in a great deal of overtime at course of three or four years, it's a very feasible work. She had also been trying to save money goal. (3) Participating in community service to take a few courses at the community college in the ith the skills needed to analyze and solve real- ting off the bus a mile away from work so that world problems. (4)For instance, students she'd get exercise each day. might choose to volunteer for an organization that aims to improve literacy in adults 26. Which of the following is most likely the primary (5) There are not many in-school educational reason for Robertas weight loss? methods as effective as this that can teach teens a. She was under too much stress from working how to listen, be patient, and find the best way so much to app roach a difficult situation. (6) These are b. She forgot to eat because she was working real-life skills that they need for college and to become well-informed. conscientious adults c. She ey by not spending (7)In fact, creating independent thinkers should be the goal of all educational programs, d. She was getting exercise each day by walking a whether they are implemented in or outside of mile to work an academic environment
In the following situations, which source is most credible? 21. Regarding the authenticity of a fifty-dollar bill a. a professor of American history b. a counterfeiter c. a wealthy person d. an official with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP), one of the bureaus of the U.S. Treasury 22. In defense of a boy accused of stealing from a classmate a. his mother b. the principal c. his teacher d. his best friend Read the following argument carefully and answer the questions that follow. (1) Although many high-school students might disagree, it should be a requirement that they complete ninety hours of community service in order to graduate. (2) Ninety hours may seem like a long time, but stretched out over the course of three or four years, it’s a very feasible goal. (3) Participating in community service improves self-confidence and provides students with the skills needed to analyze and solve realworld problems. (4) For instance, students might choose to volunteer for an organization that aims to improve literacy in adults. (5) There are not many in-school educational methods as effective as this that can teach teens how to listen, be patient, and find the best way to approach a difficult situation. (6) These are real-life skills that they need for college and to become well-informed, conscientious adults. (7) In fact, creating independent thinkers should be the goal of all educational programs, whether they are implemented in or outside of an academic environment. 23. What is the main point (conclusion) of the argument? a. sentence 1 b. sentence 2 c. sentence 3 d. sentence 4 24. Which of the following is the strongest support for the conclusion? a. sentence 2 b. sentence 4 c. sentence 5 d. sentence 7 25. Sentence 5 is which of the following? a. It is reasonable evidence based on a statistic. b. It is reasonable evidence based on common sense. c. It is based on personal experience. d. It is not reasonable evidence. Read the following passages carefully and answer the questions that follow. Roberta lost ten pounds in February. That month, she put in a great deal of overtime at work. She had also been trying to save money to take a few courses at the community college in the summer. In addition, she had been getting off the bus a mile away from work so that she’d get exercise each day. 26. Which of the following is most likely the primary reason for Roberta’s weight loss? a. She was under too much stress from working so much. b. She forgot to eat because she was working so much. c. She was trying to save money by not spending it on food. d. She was getting exercise each day by walking a mile to work. – PRETEST– 8