36 UNIT 05 | Live and learn Unit 05 Live and learn Read the text about different opinions on what schools should teach. Some words are missing. Choose the correct answer (A, B, C or D) for each gap (1–10). Put a cross ( ) in the correct box. The first one (0) has been done for you. LANGUAGE IN USE 1 The challenges of critical thinking You couldn’t make this stuff up! A few years ago, a political party in the USA made the following statement about teaching critical thinking skills in schools: “We (0) the teaching of critical thinking skills, which have the purpose of challenging the pupil’s fixed beliefs and weaken parental authority.” Yes, you read that right. The party disapproves of the teaching of critical thinking skills because it believes the (1) is to question a student’s “fixed beliefs” and undermine “parental authority”. The party’s opinion on sex education in schools, for example, was: “We recognise parental responsibility and authority (2) sex education. We oppose any sex education other than abstinence1 until marriage.” So how do these opinions (3) from more common, liberal views on critical thinking? Supporters of critical thinking would display the following message on all (4) smartphones and computers: “Don’t accept as true what you’re about to read. Some of it is fact; some of it is opinion disguised (5) ; and the rest is liberal, conservative or mainstream propaganda. Make sure you know which is which before choosing to believe it.” Can you spot the difference? (6) critical thinking involves challenging a pupil’s fixed beliefs. But that’s just the point. Someone with critical thinking skills can understand the links (7) ideas, rather than just knowing unconnected facts. They are able to recognise the relevance of arguments and ideas, and can evaluate these. Critical thinkers can identify inconsistencies and errors in reasoning, which helps them to (8) ‘fake news’ and propaganda, for example. They can approach problems in a consistent and systematic way, considering different possibilities and adapting their ideas. They can also (9) on the justification of their own values, and it’s this part that can (and should) challenge a pupil’s fixed beliefs. It is about being an active learner rather than a passive recipient of information. Critical thinkers rigorously question ideas and beliefs instead of accepting them at face value. They will always try to discover (10) the ideas, arguments and findings represent the entire picture, while remaining open to the possibility that they do not. Critical thinkers will identify, analyse and solve problems systematically rather than by intuition or instinct. To succeed in 21st-century society and the modern workplace, critical thinking is essential. 1 abstinence: Abstinenz, Verzicht auf Sex Key Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv
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