critical thinking ( Watson Glasser )

1- Statement: many new sources of energy will be discovered, preventing future energy shortages.

- Proposed Assumption: The number of new energy sources is unlimited.

Assumption made

Assumption not made

2-Statement: There is greater progress in science, environmental protection, and education when nations cooperate rather than work alone.

- Proposed Assumption: If nations cooperate in these areas, they will avoid military conflicts.

Assumption made

Assumption not made

3- Statement: There is greater progress in science, environmental protection, and education when nations cooperate rather than work alone.

- Proposed Assumption: International cooperation in scientific and educational programs will lead from tyranny to free societies.

Assumption made

Assumption not made

4- Statement: There is not enough of everything to give all people what they think want.

- Proposed Assumption: The supply of things that people thing they want is not equal to the demand for all those things.

Assumption made

Assumption not made

5- Statement: Since more and more high school students plan to go to college, many new college buildings must be constructed.

- Proposed Assumption: the number of college buildings that will be needed in the future depends on the plans of high school students regarding further education.

Assumption made

Assumption not made

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6- Should the government permit imports from unfriendly nations with which there is a significant risk of military conflict?

- Yes; trade gives unfriendly nations an economic an economic incentive to maintain peaceful relations with our nation.

Strong Argument.

Weak Argument.

7- Should the government permit imports from unfriendly nations with which there is a significant risk of military conflict?

- Yes; even unfriendly nation cannot export products to our nation, it can only generally export them to other nations.

Strong Argument.

Weak Argument.

8- Where legally permitted, should private casinos operate in economically depressed areas?

- Yes; casinos in economically depressed areas provide jobs to people who might otherwise be dependent on public welfare.

Strong Argument.

Weak Argument.

9- Where legally permitted, should private casinos operate in economically depressed areas?

- No; when a casino opens, property crime rates usually increase in surrounding neighborhood without falling elsewhere.

Strong Argument.

Weak Argument.

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10- Thirty years ago, the town of Waitsfield began taking title to farms lost by their owners as a results of nonpayment of taxes. By now, the town has set out some 3600 acres of community forest on some of this land. The pine trees have grown well. The town forest yielded $1,000,000 net profit on pulpwood last year and $950,000 the year before. Local authorities believe that the net profit on the pulpwood will continue to grow and eventually reach $3,000,000 a year from just the present 3600 acres. -

-The town spends more to cut and sell the pulpwood than it gains from sales.

True

Probably True

Insufficient Data

Probably False

False

11- Thirty years ago, the town of Waitsfield began taking title to farms lost by their owners as a results of nonpayment of taxes. By now, the town has set out some 3600 acres of community forest on some of this land. The pine trees have grown well. The town forest yielded $1,000,000 net profit on pulpwood last year and $950,000 the year before. Local authorities believe that the net profit on the pulpwood will continue to grow and eventually reach $3,000,000 a year from just the present 3600 acres.

- The Westfield community forest will yield an annual net profit of $3,000,000 from the present 3600 acres within two or three years.

True

Probably True

Insufficient Data

Probably False

False

12- Researchers from a highly respected university reported in journal article that genetically modified (GM) corn sold by GeneiOrg may pose a threat to human health. The researchers isolated genes that came from the GM corn, within the cells of chickens raised on nearby farms. The study was primarily funded by the governments National Science Agency, although a small portion of funding was provided by Natures Defense. Natures Defense is a private environmental organization opposed to the use of GM crops. Soon after these research findings were made known to the general public, GenetiOrgs stock price dropped 13 points.

- The study proved that genetically modified crops are harmful for humans to eat.

True

Probably True

Insufficient Data

Probably False

False

13- Researchers from a highly respected university reported in journal article that genetically modified (GM) corn sold by GeneiOrg may pose a threat to human health. The researchers isolated genes that came from the GM corn, within the cells of chickens raised on nearby farms. The study was primarily funded by the governments National Science Agency, although a small portion of funding was provided by Natures Defense. Natures Defense is a private environmental organization opposed to the use of GM crops. Soon after these research findings were made known to the general public, GenetiOrgs stock price dropped 13 points.

- The university researchers made up their findings to maintain their research funding from the environmental group.

True

Probably True

Insufficient Data

Probably False

False