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Critical thinking challenges
Think-it-through questions on critical thinking, from teen to adult level, each with a clear explanation.
16 questions · free · no account needed · works offline once loaded
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Ice-cream sales and sunburns rise together in summer. What may explain both?
Options: Sunburns cause shops to sell ice cream · Hot, sunny weather · Ice cream causes all sunburns
Answer: Hot, sunny weather
A third factor can influence both variables.
A post says a study 'proved' a supplement works. What detail helps judge that claim?
Options: How many emojis are in the post · Study design, participants and comparison group · Whether the claim is repeated often
Answer: Study design, participants and comparison group
Methods and comparison groups help show what evidence supports.
Why might an advert use a celebrity quote instead of results from a study?
Options: An appeal to popularity or authority may persuade without proving the claim · It removes the need for evidence · It guarantees a fair test
Answer: An appeal to popularity or authority may persuade without proving the claim
A familiar person’s endorsement is not a substitute for relevant evidence.
A survey is answered only by people who volunteer online. What risk is clear?
Options: Random assignment · Self-selection bias · Perfect population coverage
Answer: Self-selection bias
Volunteers may differ systematically from the population.
A city adds bike lanes and cycling rises. Which comparison would strengthen a causal analysis?
Options: Compare two different months in one city · Compare trends with a similar city without the change · Ask only new cyclists what they think
Answer: Compare trends with a similar city without the change
A comparable control helps account for broader trends.
A new piece of evidence is equally likely under two competing explanations. How should it affect their relative support?
Options: It proves both · It should not favour either one · It rules out both
Answer: It should not favour either one
Evidence with equal likelihood under both hypotheses does not distinguish them.
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