REVIEW

MULTIPLE CHOICE

100

1. Which of the following best describes the central question of Theory of Knowledge? 
   • a) What is the meaning of life?
   • b) How do we acquire knowledge in different subjects?
   • c) How do we know that something is true?
   • d) What are the ethical implications of knowledge?

• b) How do we acquire knowledge in different subjects?

200

1. Which of the following is NOT a key feature of knowledge questions? 
   • a) They are open-ended and contestable.
   • b) They focus on specific subject matter.
   • c) They explore the nature of knowledge itself.
   • d) They are relevant across different disciplines.

• b) They focus on specific subject matter.

300

1. The TOK course encourages students to... 
   • a) Memorize a vast amount of factual information.
   • b) Accept claims without questioning them.
   • c) Reflect critically on their own beliefs and assumptions.
   • d) Specialize in a single area of knowledge.

• c) Reflect critically on their own beliefs and assumptions.

400

1. Which of the following best distinguishes knowledge from belief? 
   • a) Knowledge is always true, while belief can be false.
   • b) Knowledge is based on evidence and justification, while belief is based on personal conviction.
   • c) Knowledge is objective, while belief is subjective.
   • d) Knowledge is acquired through formal education, while belief is acquired through personal experience.

• b) Knowledge is based on evidence and justification, while belief is based on personal conviction.

500

1. The core theme of the TOK course is: 
   • a) Knowledge and Technology
   • b) Knowledge and the Knower
   • c) Knowledge and Ethics
   • d) Knowledge and the Natural Sciences

• b) Knowledge and the Knower

MULTIPLE CHOICE 2

100

1. Which of the following is NOT one of the five areas of knowledge explored in TOK? 
   • a) Mathematics
   • b) The Arts
   • c) The Natural Sciences
   • d) Philosophy

• d) Philosophy

200

1. The TOK course aims to foster: 
   • a) Narrow-mindedness and dogmatism.
   • b) Open-mindedness and intercultural understanding.
   • c) Relativism and skepticism.
   • d) Conformity and obedience.

• b) Open-mindedness and intercultural understanding.

300

1. Which of the following assessments is NOT a part of the TOK course? 
   • a) TOK Exhibition
   • b) TOK Essay
   • c) TOK Presentation
   • d) In-class participation

• d) In-class participation

400

1. The TOK course encourages students to make connections between: 
   • a) Different academic disciplines.
   • b) Their personal experiences and knowledge.
   • c) Different perspectives on knowledge.
   • d) All of the above.

• d) All of the above.

500

1. The primary goal of the introductory TOK unit is to: 
   • a) Assess students' prior knowledge of TOK concepts.
   • b) Spark curiosity and initiate reflection on the nature of knowledge.
   • c) Introduce complex philosophical theories.
   • d) Prepare students for the final TOK assessments.

• b) Spark curiosity and initiate reflection on the nature of knowledge.

OPEN CLOZE

100

What is the difference between knowledge, belief, and opinion?

In summary, knowledge is a justified true belief, belief is the acceptance of something as true, and opinion is a personal view or judgment. While these terms are related, they have distinct meanings that are important to understand when discussing issues of truth, evidence, and justification.

200

How can we evaluate the reliability of sources when constructing knowledge?

Evaluating the reliability of sources is crucial for constructing accurate and trustworthy knowledge.1 Here's a breakdown of key factors to consider:

1. Authority:

• Who is the author? Are they an expert in the field? What are their credentials, qualifications, and affiliations? Look for authors with relevant education, experience, and a strong track record.
• Is the source reputable? Is it published by a recognized academic journal, a respected news organization, a government agency, or a well-established institution?2 Be wary of self-published sources or those with a clear bias or agenda.

2. Accuracy:

• Is the information supported by evidence? Look for sources that cite their sources, provide data and statistics, and are consistent with other reliable sources.
• Has the information been peer-reviewed or fact-checked? Peer review, where experts in the field evaluate the work, adds a layer of scrutiny and increases reliability.3
• Are there any errors or inconsistencies? Be wary of sources with factual errors, logical fallacies, or inconsistencies in their arguments.

3. Currency:

• When was the information published or updated?  Information can become outdated quickly, especially in rapidly evolving fields.4 Look for recent sources whenever possible.
• Is the information still relevant? Even if a source is recent, it may not be relevant to your specific needs. Consider the context and purpose of the information.

4. Purpose:

• What is the purpose of the source? Is it to inform, persuade, entertain, or sell something? Be aware of potential biases and how they might influence the information presented.
• Is the source objective or biased? Look for sources that present information in a neutral and balanced way, acknowledging different perspectives.5

5.  CRAAP Test:

• This is a handy acronym summarizing key evaluation criteria:
  • Currency: Timeliness of the information.
  • Relevance: Importance of the information for your needs.
  • Authority: Source of the information.6
  • Accuracy: Reliability and correctness of the information.7
  • Purpose: Reason the information exists.8

Additional Tips:

• Cross-check information: Compare information from multiple sources to get a well-rounded view and identify potential biases.9
• Be wary of emotional language or sensationalism:  Sources that use strong emotions or try to sensationalize information may be less reliable.
• Consider the domain: Websites ending in .gov, .edu, and .org are generally more reliable than .com sites, though exceptions exist.10
• Read laterally: When you find a source online, investigate the author and publisher to determine their credibility.11

By carefully evaluating sources using these criteria, you can construct knowledge that is more accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

300

How can personal perspectives influence the interpretation of evidence?

Personal perspectives, shaped by our individual experiences, beliefs, and values, act as lenses through which we filter and interpret information, including evidence. This can significantly influence how we perceive and understand evidence in a number of ways:

1. Confirmation Bias:

• We tend to favor information that confirms our existing beliefs and disregard evidence that contradicts them. This can lead to selective interpretation, where we focus on evidence supporting our views and ignore or downplay opposing evidence.

2. Selective Attention:

• Our preconceived notions can influence what we pay attention to and what we filter out. We may be more likely to notice and remember evidence that aligns with our perspectives, while overlooking evidence that doesn't.

3. Emotional Influence:

• Emotions can cloud our judgment and affect how we interpret evidence. If we are emotionally invested in a particular outcome, we may be more likely to interpret evidence in a way that supports that outcome, even if it's not entirely objective.

4. Cultural Background:

• Our cultural upbringing and social environment shape our values, beliefs, and ways of understanding the world. This can influence how we interpret evidence, particularly in social and cultural contexts.

5. Prior Knowledge:

• Our existing knowledge and experiences provide a framework for interpreting new information. This can be helpful, but it can also lead to biases if our prior knowledge is incomplete or inaccurate.

6. Motivated Reasoning:

• We sometimes interpret evidence in a way that serves our personal interests or goals. This can lead to biased interpretations, even if we are not consciously aware of it.

Examples:

• Political debates: People with strong political views may interpret the same economic data differently depending on their ideological leanings.
• Scientific research: Scientists may be more likely to accept research findings that support their hypotheses, while being more critical of contradictory evidence.
• Eyewitness testimony: Eyewitnesses to a crime may interpret events differently based on their individual perspectives and biases.

Mitigating the Influence of Personal Perspectives:

• Be aware of your biases: Recognizing your own preconceptions and potential biases is the first step towards mitigating their influence.
• Seek diverse perspectives: Actively seek out and consider viewpoints that differ from your own. This can help you to identify potential blind spots and challenge your assumptions.
• Focus on objectivity: Strive to evaluate evidence in a neutral and impartial way, considering all sides of an issue.
• Use critical thinking skills:  Develop your critical thinking skills to analyze evidence logically and identify potential biases or fallacies.

400

How can knowledge be used to promote ethical action?

By cultivating knowledge, fostering ethical reasoning skills, and promoting empathy and compassion, we can create a society where individuals are empowered to make ethical choices and contribute to the greater good.