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.

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

2
FHHM1012 CRITICAL THINKING
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 peoples 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 peoples 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)

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

3
FHHM1012 CRITICAL THINKING
Section A (Continued)
Q6.

Dharans dad always says that all young people are so irresponsible.
The example above shows that Dharans 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.

Mayas grandmother is not allergic to prawns. I saw her eat a plate of prawns on New
Years 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 doesnt 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]

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

4
FHHM1012 CRITICAL THINKING
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 masters 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)

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

5
FHHM1012 CRITICAL THINKING
Section B Part 1 (Continued)
Q3.

Study the table below carefully before answering the question.

LFS CINEMA (LFS)
MOVIE TITLE
STARTING
TIME
Into the Woods
6.05p.m.
(musical)
The Avengers: Age of
6.05p.m.
Ultron (non-musical)
Jupiter Ascending
6.10p.m.
(non-musical)
Kingsman: The Secret
7.00p.m.
Service (non-musical)

DURATION
105 mins
130 mins
131 mins
100 mins

TGV CINEMA (TGV)

MOVIE TITLE
STARTING DURATION
TIME
Into the Woods
6.50p.m.
105 mins
(musical)
The Avengers: Age of
6.30p.m.
130 mins
Ultron (non-musical)
Jupiter Ascending
5.00p.m.
131 mins
(non-musical)
Kingsman: The Secret
6.00p.m.
100 mins
Service (non-musical)
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 friends house and reach there by
9.30p.m. Which cinema and movies would best suit their plan?
A.
B.
C.
D.

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

TGV - Into the Woods and Jupiter Ascending
TGV - Into the Woods and Kingsman: The Secret Service
LFS - Into the Woods and Kingsman: The Secret Service
(3 marks)
[Total: 9 marks]

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

6
FHHM1012 CRITICAL THINKING
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

Straw Man

Slippery Slope

Appeal to Fear

Red Herring

False Dilemma

Appeal to Anger

Personal Attack

Weak Analogy

Appeal to Spite

Look Whos Talking

Loaded Question

Appeal to Vanity

Begging the Question

Hasty Generalization

Appeal to Popularity

Two Wrongs Make a Right

Appeal to Tradition

Inappropriate Appeal to Authority

Appeal to Ridicule
Appeal to Ignorance

Q1.

Interviewer:
Leonardo:
Interviewer:
Leonardo:

Your resume looks impressive but I have to ask for another reference.
Samantha will be great. She can be my referee.
Great. But, how can I know she is trustworthy?
Of course. I can vouch for her because she has agreed to be my
referee. _____________________
(2 marks)
Its bedtime, Jenny.
Mom, how do ants feed their babies?
Dont know dear. Close your eyes now.
But mama, do baby ants cry when they are hungry? __________________
(2 marks)

Q2.

Mum:
Jenny:
Mum:
Jenny:

Q3.

Julianne: I cant 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, well 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)

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

7
FHHM1012 CRITICAL THINKING
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 dont 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, whats with the new iPhone you have there? Last time you nagged nonstop when I bought my iPhone gadgets, saying they were expensive.
Mother: Dont fuss. Your dad bought it for me.
________________________________
(2 marks)
[Total: 16 marks]

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

8
FHHM1012 CRITICAL THINKING
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.
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.
Q1. What critical thinking barrier is influencing Johnsons 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 Johnsons parents possible concerns about their sons decision? Provide
TWO (2) concerns and briefly elaborate each of them.
(4 marks)

Q4. Is education or experience more important in determining ones success? Provide

TWO (2) premises to support your stand.
(10 marks)

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

9
FHHM1012 CRITICAL THINKING
Section C (Continued)
Choose Text B or Text C and answer the questions that follow.
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
mothers medical expenses. As such, Khairul has to miss school to earn some extra money
for the family.
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)

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

10
FHHM1012 CRITICAL THINKING
Section C (Continued)
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.
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.
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.
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]
______________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
This question paper consists of 4 sections on 9 printed pages.