Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills Practice Questions: 6 | Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills for MCAT PDF Download

People's ability to comprehend numbers varies, ranging from those who have a strong understanding to those who struggle with numerical concepts. Unfortunately, the majority fall on the side of having limited numerical proficiency. It is disheartening to encounter students who lack basic knowledge, such as the population of the United States or the approximate distance from coast to coast. This lack of numerical awareness can hinder their ability to react appropriately to alarming reports or assess risks accurately.

Without a grasp of common large numbers, individuals cannot react skeptically to sensational reports, such as claims that over a million American children are kidnapped each year. They also cannot fully comprehend the significance of a warhead carrying a megaton of explosive power. Understanding large numbers is crucial for evaluating these kinds of information critically.

Having a sense of probabilities is equally important. Without it, individuals might underestimate risks, perceiving automobile accidents as minor issues while considering the threat of being killed by terrorists overseas as significant. However, the reality is that annual automobile accident fatalities in the United States are comparable to the total number of American casualties in the Vietnam War. On the other hand, the chances of being killed by terrorists when traveling abroad are incredibly slim when considering the number of Americans who travel internationally.

When faced with large numbers and small probabilities, individuals who lack numeracy skills often respond with a non sequitur, suggesting that even if the chance is slim, they could still be the one affected. This tendency to personalize risks is common among people with innumeracy. Additionally, there is a tendency to equate the risk of obscure and exotic diseases with the likelihood of suffering from heart and circulatory diseases, which claim a significant number of lives each week.

Understanding appropriate quantities and time spans in different contexts is crucial for comprehending jokes and grasping numerical concepts. Many people, including educated individuals, lack an intuitive feeling for large numbers. They may not be aware of the values associated with million, billion, or trillion.

A recent study conducted by Drs. Kronlund and Phillips at the University of Washington revealed that doctors often have inaccurate assessments of the risks associated with various medical procedures and medications, even within their own specialties. Their estimations can be off by several orders of magnitude. This evidence further supports the notion that many doctors suffer from innumeracy, which is not surprising considering the common belief among them that there must be a certain number of patients waiting to avoid idleness.
Q.1. What is the main issue highlighted in the passage?
(a) Lack of understanding of large numbers and probabilities.
(b) Inaccuracy in doctors' assessments of risks.
(c) Difficulties with estimating time spans.
(d) Personalizing risks when faced with large numbers.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The passage discusses how people often struggle with comprehending large numbers and probabilities, which can affect their ability to react appropriately and critically to information.

Q.2. Why is it important to have an understanding of large numbers?
(a) To evaluate risks accurately.
(b) To personalize risks effectively.
(c) To comprehend time spans appropriately.
(d) To make accurate medical assessments.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The passage emphasizes that understanding large numbers is crucial for reacting skeptically to alarming reports and assessing risks accurately.

Q.3. What is a common response of individuals who lack numeracy skills when faced with large numbers and small probabilities?
(a) They question the accuracy of the numbers.
(b) They seek further information and clarification.
(c) They personalize the risks and consider themselves the potential victims.
(d) They become more skeptical and critical of the information.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The passage states that individuals with innumeracy often respond by personalizing risks, even when the probabilities are small.

Q.4. What is one example of an inaccurate estimation made by doctors, as mentioned in the passage?
(a) Underestimating the risks of medical procedures.
(b) Overestimating the risks of medical procedures.
(c) Underestimating the number of patients waiting.
(d) Overestimating the number of patients waiting.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The passage states that doctors' assessments of risks associated with medical procedures are often off the mark, usually underestimating the actual risks.

Q.5. What is the purpose of the joke mentioned in the passage?
(a) To illustrate the importance of understanding large numbers.
(b) To emphasize the role of humor in numerical comprehension.
(c) To highlight the difficulties doctors face in assessing risks.
(d) To demonstrate the tendency to personalize risks in innumeracy.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The joke is used to emphasize the necessity of having a feeling for appropriate quantities and time spans in various contexts, which is essential for understanding humor involving numbers.

Q.6. What is a characteristic of individuals who suffer from innumeracy?
(a) They have a strong sense of probability.
(b) They accurately estimate risks in medical contexts.
(c) They lack a feeling for appropriate time spans.
(d) They have a tendency to personalize risks.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
The passage mentions that one characteristic of people with innumeracy is their tendency to personalize risks when faced with large numbers and probabilities.