It can take time to practice critical thinking, but it’s never too late to start. Practicing the following steps will help you become a critical thinker.
Critical thinkers start by asking questions about whatever is in front of them. They consider cause and effect. If this, then what? If that, then how is the outcome different? They understand that every action has a consequence, and they think about all possible outcomes of decisions before they make them.
Once you have asked every question you can come up with about a matter (it helps to write them down), seek information that will help you answer those questions. Investigate! Do some research. You can learn almost anything on the Internet, but it’s not the only place to do your research. Interview people. Ask the experts around you. Gather information and various opinions you can use to make your own determination. The wider the variety, the better.
You’ve got a pile of information, and now it’s time to analyze it all with an open mind. This is the most challenging part, in my opinion. Try to be as aware as possible of prejudices and turn them off. Question everything during this step. Are you being objective? Are you making guesses? Assuming anything? This is the time to look at every thought as purely as possible. Do you know it to be absolutely true? What are the facts? Have you considered the situation from every different point of view?
Critical thinkers are more interested in solutions than in placing blame, complaining, or gossiping. Once you’ve reached a conclusion through critical thinking, it’s time to communicate and carry out a solution if one is called for. Not everyone involved will have thought the situation through as critically as you have. It’s your job to understand that, and to present solutions in a way that everyone can understand.
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1.Asking questions means ___________.
A being curious about everything
B staying true to the truth
C asking with an open mind
D stopping blaming others
解析：选A。A推理判断题。根据第二段中的“If this, then what? If that, then how is the outcome different?”可知，培养批判性思维的第一步是问问题，即要有强烈的欲望想知道某事，即好奇。故选A。
2.Which of the following ways is NOT mentioned to obtain information?
A Searching online.
B Making interviews.
C Turning to experts.
D Creating by oneself.
解析：选D。D细节理解题。根据第三段中的“You can learn almost anything on the Internet”“Interview people. Ask the experts around you.”等可知，并未提及自己创造一些信息。故选D。
3.What makes analyzing information the most difficult part according to the author?
A Experiences.
B Mistakes.
C Prejudices.
D Researches.
解析：选C。C细节理解题。根据第四段中的“This is the most challenging part, in my opinion. Try to be as aware as possible of prejudices and turn them off.”可知，因为偏见的存在，分析信息成了最具挑战性的一步。故选C。
4.What’s the last paragraph mainly about?
A Blames and complaints.
B Reaching a decision.
C Productive thinking.
D Communicating answers.
解析：选D。D段落大意题。根据最后一段中的“it’s time to communicate and carry out a solution”“It’s your job to understand that, and to present solutions in a way that everyone can understand.”可知，该段主要描述的是相互分享交流解决方法。故选D。
