Test Answers on Critical Thinking in Science

Why is it important to apply critical thinking to spam e-mail? a. Spam e-mail can contain malicious computer code and viruses. b. Spam can be an attempt to commit fraud. c. It can be an attempt to get personal and financial information. d. all of the above

Judging and evaluating advertisements requires critical thinking because _______. a. advertisements can contain confusing, misleading information b. all advertisements contain false information c. advertisers always want to convince consumers to buy unnecessary items d. truth in advertising laws ensure the accuracy of information in advertisements

Which of the following is not an example of critical thinking? a. identifying several solutions to a problem b. questioning source information c. implementing the first solution to a problem identified d. verifying source information

Which of the following is likely to be the most valid source of information about pollution? a. a website supported by manufacturing companies b. an internal report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) c. a website supported by environmental groups d. a television news program

Which of the following is not one of the guidelines for brainstorming? a. striving for quantity b. deferring judgment c. striving for quality d. freewheeling

Which of the following is not a step involved in critical thinking? a. asking questions b. assessing validity c. writing a summary d. adjusting conclusions

Scientists use critical thinking skills throughout the process of research or experimentation. A student notices that their energy level always seems to decrease when they drink soda, but they seem to have more energy when they don't drink soda. The student decides to conduct an experiment to determine if their soda intake really does have an effect on their energy level. What critical thinking step has the student just completed in the situation described above? a. Asking a question b. Evaluating a promotional claim c. Adjusting a conclusion d. Determining a logical conclusion

Which of the following is not true concerning Internet websites? a. They can contain harmful computer code. b. They have an editorial process to correct inaccurate information. c. Their information is not always continuously updated. d. They can present false information

Which of the following is not a reason to question the information one receives? a. It agrees with previous experience. b. It does not agree with previous experience. c. It agrees with common opinion. d. It does not agree with common opinion.