Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Which TWO scenarios show how experience can help and hinder problem-solving?

• An experienced worker has efficient routines but resists new methods.

• A young employee effectively solves problems because they adapt easily.

• An adult draws on past experiences but sometimes misses new approaches.

• A new intern solves problems quickly due to fewer responsibilities.

• An experienced manager handles most problems but struggles with new technology.

During a research project, Lily realizes that she struggles to assess the credibility of the sources she finds online. Her teacher advises her that with time and practice, she can improve her ability to evaluate information critically.

Which of the following actions will best help Lily develop her critical thinking skills over time?

• Memorize answers to common debate topics without questioning them.

• Practice analyzing different points of view and reflect on his reasoning.

• Use only one source of information when researching.

• Base her arguments on opinions instead of evidence.

Lily is researching whether using flashcards is the best way to study for tests. She only pays attention to articles that agree with her belief and ignores any studies that suggest other methods might work better.

Question:
Which factor is most likely influencing Lily’s ability to think critically?

• Confirmation bias, where she focuses only on evidence that supports her belief.

• The complexity of the study methods.

• Availability heuristic, where she recalls only recent information.

• Groupthink, she is influenced by her friends' opinions.

Mia suggests several creative ideas during a brainstorming session, like building a treehouse library. What type of thinking is she using?

• Convergent thinking, because she is finding the best solution.

• Divergent thinking, because she is creating multiple solutions.

• Convergent thinking, because she is looking at several possible approaches.

• Divergent thinking, because she is focusing on refining existing ideas.

Tiara is in a debate competition and presents two arguments:

1. "When it’s cloudy, it always rains. It's cloudy today, so it will probably rain."

2. "Three local businesses that invested in tech grew by 20%. If others do the same, they’ll likely see similar growth."

• Approach 1 is deductive reasoning because it applies a general principle to predict a specific outcome.

• Approach 1 is inductive reasoning because it draws a general conclusion from a specific case.

• Approach 2 is deductive reasoning because it relies on a general principle to conclude specific instances.

• Approach 2 is inductive reasoning because it draws a general conclusion based on specific observations.

Olivia sees a social media post claiming a new diet will boost energy levels immediately. She’s unsure if it’s true and wants to evaluate the claim.

Question:
Which metacognitive question would best help Olivia assess the claim?

• "How many people have tried this diet?"

• "What do my friends think about this diet?"

• "What do I already know about diets, and how can I check if this is true?"

• "How fast will the diet boost energy levels?"

Maya is reading two articles with opposing views on whether video games improve problem-solving skills. One article says they do, while the other says they don’t. Maya is unsure which to believe and wants to think critically about both sides.

Question:
Which metacognitive question would best help Maya evaluate both articles?

• "Which study is more popular among gamers?"

• "How do my personal experiences with video games shape my opinion?"

• "Which study provides stronger evidence for its conclusions?"

• "What do my classmates think about video games and learning?"

Maya loves hiking, while Emma prefers relaxing on the beach. As they plan their vacation, they realize they have different ideas of a perfect trip.

Question:
How might their perspectives on the vacation be influenced?

• Maya’s love for hiking and Emma’s preference for relaxing shape their ideas of a fun trip.

• Both Maya and Emma will have the same view of fun since they are traveling together.

• Maya will prefer the beach after Emma shares her relaxation tips.

• Emma’s preference for relaxing will matter more than Maya’s love for hiking.

Mia travels to a country where it is common for people to greet each other with a bow instead of a handshake. In her home country, handshakes are the standard greeting. Initially, Mia feels awkward but eventually learns to appreciate the meaning behind the bow.

Question:
How might this cultural context influence Mia’s thoughts about greetings?

• She may think bowing is strange and refuse to adopt it.

• She may believe that bowing is the only acceptable way to greet others.

• She may feel pressured to completely abandon handshakes in favor of bowing.

• She may come to appreciate both handshakes and bows, recognizing the importance of each in their respective cultures.

Emma is reading an article about the benefits of online learning. She notices the article was written during the pandemic when schools had to shift to remote learning. Emma wonders if the circumstances of the pandemic might have influenced the author’s opinion.

Question:
How might the pandemic context affect the author's view on online learning?

• The author may have ignored the downsides of online learning because it was necessary.

• The author likely focused on the negatives since online learning was new.

• The author probably emphasized in-person learning since it was common.

• The author may have criticized online learning because it was mandatory.