Sample FE Paper

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This question paper consists of 4 sections on 9 printed pages.

UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN

ACADEMIC YEAR 2015/2016

SAMPLE FINAL EXAMINATION

FHHM1012 CRITICAL THINKING

DATE : TIME :

FOUNDATION IN ARTS

Instructions to Candidates:

This paper consists of FOUR SECTIONS:

SECTION A: TRUE OR FALSE QUESTIONS. (COMPULSORY)

SECTION B: MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS. (COMPULSORY)

SECTION C: SITUATIONAL TEXTS

TEXT A (COMPULSORY)

TEXT B AND C (ANSWER ONLY ONE)

SECTION D: ESSAY (COMPULSORY)

Write your answers in the answer booklet(s) provided.

Begin each section on a fresh sheet of paper.

NOTE:

Please read the instructions carefully before you answer the questions.

For optional questions, only the initial attempted answer(s) will be marked. Any Additional

questions attempted will not be considered.

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SECTION A – TRUE OR FALSE QUESTIONS

State whether the following sentences are TRUE or FALSE. In your answer booklet, write

TRUE if the statement is true and FALSE if the statement is false. Study the example below.

Example: Whenever Amber barks, there is a cat near the door.

Since Amber is barking now, there must be a cat near the door.

The above is an example of a deductive valid argument.

Answer: TRUE

Q1. Samson Khan believes that good critical thinkers must draw sound conclusions from

the beliefs they hold to think logically.

(1 mark)

Q2. Mr. Arya is skilled at understanding arguments relating to his beliefs and the

norms of his society which are clear, accurate and precise.

Mr. Arya has the characteristics of an effective critical thinker.

(1 mark)

Q3. You should stop plagiarizing other people’s work because it is a crime in the academic

world.

The above is not an example of explanation but an argument.

(1 mark)

Q4. No devices are cheap.

All Samsung handphones are devices.

Therefore, no Samsung handphones are cheap.

The above is an example of categorical syllogism – a valid argument.

(1 mark)

Q5. Regular exercise is good for most people’s health. Therefore, it is recommended that

my 85 year old grandmother runs in the Ipoh International run this year.

The above is an example of a weak inductive argument.

(1 mark)

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Section A (Continued)

Q6. Dharan’s dad always says that “all young people are so irresponsible”.

The example above shows that Dharan’s dad likes to stereotype all young people as

being irresponsible. Therefore, he cannot be categorized as a critical thinker.

(1 mark)

Q7. Some Malaysians are open-minded.

Some Malaysians are atheists.

Therefore, some Malaysians are open minded and atheists.

The above is an example of an unsound argument.

(1 mark)

Q8. Maya’s grandmother is not allergic to prawns. I saw her eat a plate of prawns on New

Year’s Eve at the Overseas Chinese Restaurant in Ipoh.

The above is an example of a causal argument which is deductive.

(1 mark)

Q9. Amy Jackson is a super star if she likes to take “selfie”.

She is a super star.

So, Amy Jackson doesn’t like to take “selfie”.

The above is an example of Modus Ponens.

(1 mark)

Q10. Channeling is a belief among the ancient society and the present generation where it

involves the communication with a spirit through a person.

The above is an example of pseudoscientific thinking.

(1 mark)

[Total: 10 marks]

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SECTION B – SHORT TEXT

PART 1 – MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

Read the short texts below and answer the questions that follow. For each question

choose the best possible answer. Write the letter of your correct choice in your answer

booklet.

Q1. Read the passage below carefully and answer the question:

Facebook was launched on the American stock market in May 2012. However,

statistics suggest that several previously high-performing companies such as

Pandora, Groupon and LinkedIn fell in value after they were launched on the

American stock market.

Which of the following conclusions follow necessarily from the statement provided

above?

A. It is possible that Facebook will also drop in value after May 2012.

B. Social networking sites perform badly once they become publicly listed on the

stock market.

C. All companies decrease in value when first launched on the American stock

market.

D. Social networking sites should not launch on the American stock market.

(3 marks)

Q2. Read the passage below carefully and answer the question:

People with a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) earn an income

70% higher on average than people with just an undergraduate degree. MBA

students from top business schools earn an income 50% higher on average than the

average income of those with MBA.

Which of the following statement is TRUE based on the information provided above?

A. If a person obtains MBA, their income will increase.

B. If a person obtains MBA from a top business school, their income will be higher

than that of an average MBA graduate.

C. The average income of an MBA graduate from a top business school is over

double from the average income of a person holding only an undergraduate

degree.

D. Only people with an MBA can earn a higher income.

(3 marks)

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Section B – Part 1 (Continued)

Q3. Study the table below carefully before answering the question.

LFS CINEMA (LFS)

MOVIE TITLE STARTING

TIME

DURATION

Into the Woods

(musical)

6.05p.m. 105 mins

The Avengers: Age of

Ultron (non-musical)

6.05p.m. 130 mins

Jupiter Ascending

(non-musical)

6.10p.m. 131 mins

Kingsman: The Secret

Service (non-musical)

7.00p.m. 100 mins

TGV CINEMA (TGV)

MOVIE TITLE STARTING

TIME

DURATION

Into the Woods

(musical)

6.50p.m. 105 mins

The Avengers: Age of

Ultron (non-musical)

6.30p.m. 130 mins

Jupiter Ascending

(non-musical)

5.00p.m. 131 mins

Kingsman: The Secret

Service (non-musical)

6.00p.m. 100 mins

Julia, Janine and Jasmine want to watch a movie. Jasmine would like to watch a

musical but Julia and Janine have no interest in musical. Julia and Janine have decided

to watch together while Jasmine will watch alone. They have agreed to meet up at

8.30p.m. after their movies to leave for another friend’s house and reach there by

9.30p.m. Which cinema and movies would best suit their plan?

A. LFS - Into the Woods and The Avengers: Age of Ultron

B. TGV - Into the Woods and Jupiter Ascending

C. TGV - Into the Woods and Kingsman: The Secret Service

D. LFS - Into the Woods and Kingsman: The Secret Service

(3 marks)

[Total: 9 marks]

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PART 2 – FALLACIES IDENTIFICATION

Read the fallacious arguments below and identify a fallacy that best describes each of

the arguments below. For each question, choose the best possible answer. Write the

letter of your correct choice from the table below in your answer booklet.

Appeal to Pity

Appeal to Fear

Appeal to Anger

Appeal to Spite

Appeal to Vanity

Appeal to Popularity

Appeal to Tradition

Appeal to Ridicule

Appeal to Ignorance

Straw Man

Red Herring

Personal Attack

Look Who’s Talking

Begging the Question

Two Wrongs Make a Right

Slippery Slope

False Dilemma

Weak Analogy

Loaded Question

Hasty Generalization

Inappropriate Appeal to Authority

Q1. Interviewer: Your resume looks impressive but I have to ask for another reference.

Leonardo: Samantha will be great. She can be my referee.

Interviewer: Great. But, how can I know she is trustworthy?

Leonardo: Of course. I can vouch for her because she has agreed to be my

referee. _____________________

(2 marks)

Q2. Mum: It’s bedtime, Jenny.

Jenny: Mom, how do ants feed their babies?

Mum: Don’t know dear. Close your eyes now.

Jenny: But mama, do baby ants cry when they are hungry? __________________

(2 marks)

Q3. Julianne: I can’t believe they could mistakenly euthanize a dog that had an owner.

Poor thing! Have you read the news this morning?

Summer: So, you were saying that if the dog was a stray dog, then it would be

alright if they euthanized it?

Julianne: Huh! _____________________

(2 marks)

Q4. If we allow same-sex couples to marry, then the next thing we know, we’ll be allowing

people to marry their parents, their cars, and even animals. _____________________

(2 marks)

Q5. “We should go against the implementation of Goods and Services Tax by the

government. Many respected people such as actor Leonardo de Caprio, have publicly

opposed it”. _____________________

(2 marks)

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Section B – Part 2 (Continued)

Q6. I have to go to Avenged Sevenfold concert, but the ticket is so expensive. My friends

are all going, so I don’t want to be left out. Should I borrow money from my brother?

_____________________

(2 marks)

Q7. Active euthanasia is morally acceptable. It is decent and ethical to help another human

being escape from suffering through death. ________________________________

(2 marks)

Q8. Daughter: Hey, what’s with the new iPhone you have there? Last time you nagged non-

stop when I bought my iPhone gadgets, saying they were expensive.

Mother: Don’t fuss. Your dad bought it for me.

________________________________

(2 marks)

[Total: 16 marks]

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SECTION C – SITUATIONAL TEXTS

Read Text A and answer the questions that follow. Then, answer the questions from

either Text B or C in your answer booklet.

Q1. What critical thinking barrier is influencing Johnson’s thinking? Explain your

answer.

(3 marks)

Q2. Do you think Johnson should quit college and start his own business? Why or why

not? Provide ONE (1) reason to support your stand.

(3 marks)

Q3. What are Johnson’s parents’ possible concerns about their son’s decision? Provide

TWO (2) concerns and briefly elaborate each of them.

(4 marks)

Q4. Is education or experience more important in determining one’s success? Provide

TWO (2) premises to support your stand.

(10 marks)

TEXT A (Compulsory)

Johnson is a degree student studying International Business. While in his second year of

studies, he meets his friend from school who tells him about his successful food truck

business which he started right after high school. Johnson immediately becomes interested

and feels that he is wasting his time in college and plans to quit his studies and start his

own business too just like his friend. Even though his parents advised him to complete his

degree first before venturing into business, he refuses to listen.

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Section C (Continued)

Choose Text B or Text C and answer the questions that follow.

Q5. Considering the situation above, is Khairul right in missing school to do odd jobs?

Give a reason for your answer.

(2 marks)

Q6. If you were Ms. Sauntheri, what action would you take since Khairul is always

absent from school? State ONE (1) action that you would take. Justify each of the

actions.

(3 marks)

Q7. In your opinion, what steps should children who come from poor families take, other

than miss school in order to solve their financial problem? Suggest TWO (2)

different steps.

(5 marks)

TEXT B

Ms. Sauntheri is a teacher in a school situated in a rural area. She has a student, Khairul,

who is constantly absent from school. Khairul comes from a poor family and is the eldest

child in the family. His father works as a plantation worker in a nearby paddy field while

his mother is unable to work as she has a spinal injury and is bedridden.

As the cost of living is constantly on the rise and being the eldest child in the family,

Khairul has to do odd jobs in the village to make ends meet and to help bear the cost of his

mother’s medical expenses. As such, Khairul has to miss school to earn some extra money

for the family.

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Section C (Continued)

Q5. What is ONE (1) critical thinking standard which is not being displayed by Mrs.

Agnes?

(1 mark)

Q6. In what ways will Mrs. Agnes attitude affect the school students? Provide TWO (2)

effects.

(4 marks)

Q7. Doing things hurriedly in order to complete a task or solve a problem is one way to

prove the ability in you. What is your opinion? Give one reason to support your

stand.

(5 marks)

[Total: 30 marks]

SECTION D – ESSAY

Read the following question and write your response in about 250 words. Pay attention to

clarity of arguments, organization and appropriate use of language. You are advised to make

a stand in your introduction, give at least TWO (2) arguments with elaboration (reasons

and examples), a brief refutation and a conclusion.

Do you think reality shows are harmful or just a form of harmless entertainment to the

viewers?

Present your arguments, justifying your opinion with well-thought out supporting details and

examples.

[Total: 35 marks]

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In the present world of sensationalism and increasing demands of entertainment, people

have mixed feelings about reality shows. However, with the advancement of technology,

shows such as ‘American Idol’, ‘The Apprentice’, ‘Amazing Race’, ‘The Biggest Loser’,

etc. have become a hit among many viewers, especially those of the younger generation.

TEXT C

Mrs. Agnes is a school discipline teacher. She disciplines students who disobey the rules

set by the school. However, many a times, she fails to listen to students’ explanation on

their misbehaviours in school. This has caused several innocent students to be punished

or even to be expelled from school.

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Sample FE Paper