Question 1

The first step in the problem-solving process is to
A) consider a variety of potential solutions.
B) predict which solutions will be most successful.
C) identify priorities.
D) state the problem as specifically as possible.

Accepted Answer

The first step in effective problem-solving is to state the problem as specifically as possible. This helps in understanding the exact nature of the problem and guides the subsequent steps towards finding a solution.

Question 2

Roberta is trying to decide on an elective to enroll in next semester. She should start the decision-making process by first identifying
A) how much work each elective would require.
B) how useful each elective would be to her major.
C) what available electives interest her and fulfill her degree requirements.
D) what electives are offered at the most convenient times.

Accepted Answer

Roberta should first identify electives that interest her and fulfill her degree requirements to ensure she is both engaged and progressing towards her degree completion.

Question 3

When you are trying to stimulate your ability to think creatively, you should avoid
A) brainstorming by listing ideas.
B) thinking aloud or drawing pictures as you think.
C) seeking different perspectives from others.
D) judging or ruling out ideas as they come to you.

Accepted Answer

Judging or ruling out ideas as they come to you can inhibit creativity by preventing the free flow of ideas, which is essential for generating innovative solutions. It's important to allow all ideas, even those that seem impractical at first, to be considered without immediate criticism.

Question 4

Of the following courses, the one that is not part of the social sciences is
A) anthropology.
B) political science.
C) economics.
D) biology.

Accepted Answer

Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, not a social science. Social sciences study human behavior and societies, which include fields like anthropology, political science, and economics.

Question 5

When you are reading and studying scientific material, you should
A) plan on understanding the material the first time you read it.
B) preview the assignment as well as the problems at the end of the selection.
C) ignore any gaps in information between your knowledge and the material.
D) try to get through the course without memorizing notations.

Accepted Answer

Previewing the assignment and the problems at the end of the selection helps to frame your understanding and focus your attention on key concepts and objectives, making the study process more efficient and effective.

Question 6

One approach to avoid when you are working on math problems is
A) focusing on process and procedure.
B) thinking sequentially and logically.
C) verbalizing or sketching out the problem.
D) skipping steps in mathematical operations.

Accepted Answer

Skipping steps in mathematical operations can lead to errors and misunderstandings of the problem-solving process, making it an approach to avoid.

Question 7

A common characteristic of courses in the arts and humanities is that
A) good writing skills are usually required.
B) most literary works have a single, correct interpretation.
C) there is usually only one right answer to questions about themes.
D) instructors expect you to adopt their beliefs.

Accepted Answer

Good writing skills are often essential in arts and humanities courses because they involve critical thinking, analysis, and the expression of complex ideas through written assignments. Unlike the other options, which suggest a narrow approach to interpretation and learning, the need for good writing skills acknowledges the broad and subjective nature of these fields.

Question 8

Courses in career fields are most similar to courses in
A) social sciences.
B) life and physical sciences.
C) literature.
D) humanities.

Accepted Answer

Courses in career fields often share similarities with courses in life and physical sciences because both tend to be more practical, technical, and focused on applying knowledge to real-world situations.

Question 9

The first step in the decision-making process involves
A) thoroughly analyzing the situation.
B) considering possible alternatives.
C) predicting possible outcomes.
D) evaluating potential solutions.

Accepted Answer

The first step in the decision-making process is to thoroughly analyze the situation, which involves understanding the context and specifics of the decision that needs to be made before moving on to considering alternatives or evaluating solutions.

Question 10

An effective approach to problem-solving is to
A) always choose the first solution you think of.
B) recall how you solved similar problems.
C) express the problem in very general terms.
D) place the most importance on immediate results.

Accepted Answer

Recalling how similar problems were solved in the past can provide valuable insights and strategies for tackling current issues, leveraging experience to find effective solutions.

Question 11

The best way to stimulate your ability to think creatively is to
A) judge ideas as they come to you.
B) rule out outlandish or impractical ideas.
C) allow time for ideas to incubate.
D) concentrate on your own perspective rather than ask others for theirs.

Accepted Answer

Allowing time for ideas to incubate is a recognized method for enhancing creative thinking. It involves stepping away from a problem or project for a period, which can lead to insights and innovative solutions when you return to it.

Question 12

Scientific thinking is characterized by
A) one idea leading spontaneously to another.
B) a free flow of ideas.
C) an orderly, logical process.
D) a variety of alternative interpretations.

Accepted Answer

Scientific thinking is characterized by an orderly, logical process that involves forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and analyzing data systematically.

Question 13

One characteristic that is not typical of social science courses is
A) a large number of new terms.
B) large amounts of reading.
C) an emphasis on theories.
D) a lab component.

Accepted Answer

Social science courses typically do not include a lab component, which is more common in natural sciences and some applied sciences.

Question 14

An effective strategy for reading and studying scientific material is to
A) make everyday connections with the subject matter.
B) accept scientific information without question.
C) assume that researchers are independent and unbiased.
D) prepare for interpretation, debate, and controversy in class.

Accepted Answer

Making everyday connections with the subject matter helps in understanding and retaining scientific concepts by relating them to familiar experiences.

Question 15

Ray is working through a sample problem in his math textbook. For his final step, he should
A) try doing the mathematical operations in a different order.
B) practice solving the problem without referring to the text.
C) see if he can skip any steps in solving the problem.
D) try to get as close to the correct answer as he can.

Accepted Answer

Practicing solving the problem without referring to the text helps in reinforcing the learning and ensuring that Ray understands the steps and the concept behind the problem, making it the most effective strategy for mastering the material.

Question 16

The first time you read a literary work, you should focus on
A) understanding its overall content and literal meaning.
B) interpreting the author's themes.
C) examining your reactions to the work.
D) identifying unusual images and abstract ideas.

Accepted Answer

Understanding the overall content and literal meaning is crucial during the first reading of a literary work, as it lays the foundation for deeper analysis and interpretation in subsequent readings.

Question 17

An example of a course in the career fields is
A) geology.
B) finance.
C) physical therapy.
D) political science.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An example of a course in the...

Question 18

Read the following passage and then answer questions bellow
Levi Coffin's Reminiscences of the Underground Railroad in the 1850s
I was personally acquainted with all the active and reliable workers on the Underground Railroad in the city, both colored and white. There were a few wise and careful managers among the colored people, but it was not safe to trust all of them with the affairs of our work. Most of them were too careless, and a few were unworthy-they could be bribed by the slave hunters to betray the hiding places of the fugitives. We soon found it to be the best policy to confine our affairs to a few persons and to let the whereabouts of the slaves be known to as few as possible. When slave hunters were prowling around the city we found it necessary to use every precaution. We were soon fully initiated into the management of Underground Railroad
matters in Cincinnati, and did not lack for work. Our willingness to aid the slaves was soon known, and hardly a fugitive came to the city without applying to us for assistance. 
There seemed to be a continual increase of runaways, and such was the vigilance of the pursuers that I was obliged to devote a large share of time from my business to making arrangements for their concealment and safe conveyance of the fugitives.
They sometimes came to our door frightened and panting and in a destitute condition, having fled in such haste and fear that they had no time to bring any clothing except what they had on, and that was often very scant. The expense of providing suitable clothing for them when it was necessary for them to go on immediately, or of feeding them when they were obliged to be concealed for days or weeks, was very heavy….
Our house was large and well adapted for secreting fugitives. Very often slaves would lie concealed in upper chambers for weeks without the boarders or frequent visitors at the house knowing anything about it. My wife had a quiet unconcerned way of going about her work as if nothing unusual was on hand, which was calculated to lull every suspicion of those who might be watching, and who would have been at once aroused by any sign of secrecy or mystery. Even the intimate friends of the family did not know when there were slaves hidden in the house.
-The academic discipline to which this excerpt belongs is most likely to be
A) life sciences.
B) physical sciences.
C) social sciences and history.
D) career fields.

Accepted Answer

The passage discusses historical events and social dynamics related to the Underground Railroad, fitting best within the social sciences and history discipline.

Question 19

Read the following passage and then answer questions bellow
Levi Coffin's Reminiscences of the Underground Railroad in the 1850s
I was personally acquainted with all the active and reliable workers on the Underground Railroad in the city, both colored and white. There were a few wise and careful managers among the colored people, but it was not safe to trust all of them with the affairs of our work. Most of them were too careless, and a few were unworthy-they could be bribed by the slave hunters to betray the hiding places of the fugitives. We soon found it to be the best policy to confine our affairs to a few persons and to let the whereabouts of the slaves be known to as few as possible. When slave hunters were prowling around the city we found it necessary to use every precaution. We were soon fully initiated into the management of Underground Railroad
matters in Cincinnati, and did not lack for work. Our willingness to aid the slaves was soon known, and hardly a fugitive came to the city without applying to us for assistance. 
There seemed to be a continual increase of runaways, and such was the vigilance of the pursuers that I was obliged to devote a large share of time from my business to making arrangements for their concealment and safe conveyance of the fugitives.
They sometimes came to our door frightened and panting and in a destitute condition, having fled in such haste and fear that they had no time to bring any clothing except what they had on, and that was often very scant. The expense of providing suitable clothing for them when it was necessary for them to go on immediately, or of feeding them when they were obliged to be concealed for days or weeks, was very heavy….
Our house was large and well adapted for secreting fugitives. Very often slaves would lie concealed in upper chambers for weeks without the boarders or frequent visitors at the house knowing anything about it. My wife had a quiet unconcerned way of going about her work as if nothing unusual was on hand, which was calculated to lull every suspicion of those who might be watching, and who would have been at once aroused by any sign of secrecy or mystery. Even the intimate friends of the family did not know when there were slaves hidden in the house.
-The author of this selection, Levi Coffin, can best be described as a
A) reporter.
B) former slave.
C) businessman who helped slaves.
D) historical scholar.

Accepted Answer

Levi Coffin describes his active involvement in aiding fugitive slaves through the Underground Railroad, indicating his role as a businessman who helped slaves, rather than a reporter, former slave, or historical scholar.

Question 20

Read the following passage and then answer questions bellow
Levi Coffin's Reminiscences of the Underground Railroad in the 1850s
I was personally acquainted with all the active and reliable workers on the Underground Railroad in the city, both colored and white. There were a few wise and careful managers among the colored people, but it was not safe to trust all of them with the affairs of our work. Most of them were too careless, and a few were unworthy-they could be bribed by the slave hunters to betray the hiding places of the fugitives. We soon found it to be the best policy to confine our affairs to a few persons and to let the whereabouts of the slaves be known to as few as possible. When slave hunters were prowling around the city we found it necessary to use every precaution. We were soon fully initiated into the management of Underground Railroad
matters in Cincinnati, and did not lack for work. Our willingness to aid the slaves was soon known, and hardly a fugitive came to the city without applying to us for assistance. 
There seemed to be a continual increase of runaways, and such was the vigilance of the pursuers that I was obliged to devote a large share of time from my business to making arrangements for their concealment and safe conveyance of the fugitives.
They sometimes came to our door frightened and panting and in a destitute condition, having fled in such haste and fear that they had no time to bring any clothing except what they had on, and that was often very scant. The expense of providing suitable clothing for them when it was necessary for them to go on immediately, or of feeding them when they were obliged to be concealed for days or weeks, was very heavy….
Our house was large and well adapted for secreting fugitives. Very often slaves would lie concealed in upper chambers for weeks without the boarders or frequent visitors at the house knowing anything about it. My wife had a quiet unconcerned way of going about her work as if nothing unusual was on hand, which was calculated to lull every suspicion of those who might be watching, and who would have been at once aroused by any sign of secrecy or mystery. Even the intimate friends of the family did not know when there were slaves hidden in the house.
-The purpose of this selection is to
A) explain why Levi Coffin and his wife opposed slavery.
B) tell how the Underground Railroad was established.
C) explain what the Underground Railroad was intended to accomplish.
D) describe how Levi Coffin and his wife assisted slaves to freedom.

Accepted Answer

The passage details the efforts and methods Levi Coffin and his wife used to hide and assist fugitive slaves, making D the correct answer.

Quiz 12: Reading and Thinking Critically in Academic Disciplines

The first step in the problem-solving process is to

Roberta is trying to decide on an elective to enroll in next semester. She should start the decision-making process by first identifying

When you are trying to stimulate your ability to think creatively, you should avoid

Of the following courses, the one that is not part of the social sciences is

When you are reading and studying scientific material, you should

One approach to avoid when you are working on math problems is

A common characteristic of courses in the arts and humanities is that

Courses in career fields are most similar to courses in

The first step in the decision-making process involves

An effective approach to problem-solving is to

The best way to stimulate your ability to think creatively is to

Scientific thinking is characterized by

One characteristic that is not typical of social science courses is

An effective strategy for reading and studying scientific material is to

Ray is working through a sample problem in his math textbook. For his final step, he should

The first time you read a literary work, you should focus on

An example of a course in the career fields is