Critical Thinking
Teaching students to think critically is purportedly the central goal of
education. How well have your classes thus far guided you to analyze
and evaluate course material and your own ideas? How well have you
responded to such opportunities and challenges? Take this quiz to reveal
your attitudes toward critical thinking. Circle all answers that apply to you.
1. I would rather
a. learn something.
b. discuss my ideas, opinions, and reactions to course material.
c. get a good grade.
d. be challenged and stretched.
e. listen to different perspectives than my own.
2. My favorite instructors
a. are easy graders.
b. are interesting.
c. present new ideas and interpretations.
d. talk most of the time.
e. motivate me to work hard.
3. When instructors don’t tell me exactly what they expect me to do, I
a. feel lost, confused, frustrated and irritated.
b. worry about my grade.
c. think that they’re not very skilled at their job or are lazy.
d. get excited about discovering my own way to fulfill and assignment.
e. get together with other students to make a plan.
4. The things I learn in school
a. relate to my personal life.
b. relate only to my future profession.
c. are irrelevant and I will gladly forget them after finals.
d. I don’t bother to really learn them beyond what I need for exams.
e. help me to understand and analyze myself and the world better
even if I forget the specific details.
5. I would rather be in a class where other students
a. are eager to answer questions in class.
b. work hard and perform well on tests and papers.
c. don’t work very hard to guarantee that I won’t have to struggle to
keep up.
d. are eager to interact with other students regarding course work.
6. Critical thinking
a. is hard and uncomfortable.
b. is exhilarating and rewarding.
c. is necessary.
d. is no big deal - I can get by equally well by memorizing facts.
The Point:
Well, here you are
on the planet. Your
brain can help you
make the most of
your stay. Think of
this chapter as its
user’s manual.
11: Critical Thinking 157
You won’t find a key here to grade this quiz. Its purpose is merely for
you to familiarize yourself with your habits and attitudes regarding critical
thinking. If your answers reveal a reluctance to exercise your brain, then
we invite you to learn more about the value of critical thinking and discover
the greater rewards that await the critical thinker. This chapter contains
several pointers and entertaining exercises to help you along your way.
If your answers reveal a willingness to think critically, then this chapter
will provide several exciting ideas to help you better comprehend and value
your habits and attitudes, and some fun ways to put your skills to work
and further enhance them.