Critical Thinking and Cognitive Skills Quiz

Which sentence best shows the difference between memory and reasoning?

• Memory is about using facts, and reasoning is about solving problems.

• Memory is about storing ideas, and reasoning is about using them to make a decision.

• Memory is about solving problems, and reasoning is about ignoring them.

• Memory is about learning facts, and reasoning is about forgetting them.

A student reads an article online and wants to think critically about the information. Which action best shows they are applying critical thinking skills?

• Share the article with friends before finishing it.

• Accept the article as true if it matches their opinion.

• Ask questions about the source and check the facts.

• Ignore the article and move on to something easier.

Jaden is trying to plan a group project and think through the best way to divide the work fairly. Why might a teenager be better at solving this kind of problem than a young child?

• A teenager has a larger brain than a child.

• A teenager has more school experience than a child.

• A teenager's brain uses less energy than a child's brain.

• A teenager's brain is more developed for complex thinking.

Jordan is trying to think clearly before making an important decision. Which of the following could affect Jordan's ability to think critically? Select TWO correct answers.

• Being tired from staying up too late.

• Having enough time to think through the problem.

• Watching a funny video before deciding.

• Feeling very stressed or overwhelmed.

• Copying someone else's answer without thinking.

A student reads the following claim: "School uniforms improve student focus and reduce bullying." Which of the following would be the best counterargument to this claim?

• Many students agree that uniforms help create a sense of school pride.

• Research shows that bullying often happens for reasons unrelated to clothing.

• Uniforms can be expensive for families to buy every year.

• Some schools allow students to choose their clothing freely.

Sasha is learning how to manage her time better and think through problems with more focus than she could when she was younger. Which of the following changes in the brain best explain why Sasha is improving in these areas as she gets older? Select TWO correct answers.

• Her brain now works faster because it has fewer cells to manage.

• Her brain's frontal lobe is developing, helping her make better decisions.

• She is gaining more life experience, which helps her think more deeply.

• Her memory is getting worse, so she's learning to rely more on instincts.

• Her prefrontal cortex is maturing, improving her ability to plan and control impulses.

Desi finished reading a difficult article for class. She stops to ask herself, "Did I understand that, or do I need to reread some parts?" What does this action show about Desi?

• She is trying to memorize all the details for a quiz.

• She is thinking about her own thinking and learning.

• She is guessing what her teacher will ask next.

• She is highlighting important facts for her notes.

A student hears a rumor that the school might be adding vending machines in the cafeteria. They want to make sure they understand the truth before telling others. What is the best action they can take?

• Tell all their friends right away so everyone knows about it.

• Believe the rumor if it sounds like something the school would do.

• Ask school staff or check the school's announcements to confirm the information.

• Ignore the rumor completely without checking if it's true or false.

Which of the following are examples of metacognitive questions someone might ask themselves while learning? Select TWO correct answers.

• What do I already know about this topic?

• How much time is left in class?

• What strategy can I use if I get stuck?

• Who else is done with the assignment?

• Did I understand what I just read?

During a group project, Sam listens to each teammate's idea for how to present their findings. He weighs the pros and cons of each suggestion before choosing the one that seems most logical. Which cognitive process is Sam using?

• Memory

• Problem-solving

• Reasoning

• Perception