critical thinking skills
The ability to analyse information, question ideas, and make logical judgments instead of simply accepting what one is told.
writing-task-2Education
IELTS use
Use this phrase in essays about the purpose of education, modern teaching methods, rote learning, university study, or preparing young people for work.
Examples
- Schools should help students develop critical thinking skills rather than simply memorise facts.
- Debates and group projects can encourage critical thinking skills in the classroom.
Collocations
- develop critical thinking skills
- Essay writing helps students develop critical thinking skills.
- strong critical thinking skills
- Employers often look for graduates with strong critical thinking skills.
Word family
- Noun
- thought
- Verb
- think
- Adjective
- critical
- Adverb
- critically
Paraphrases
- analytical skills: Useful when focusing on the ability to examine information carefully.
- independent thinking: Useful when contrasting with rote memorisation.
Common mistakes
- critical thinking skill to critical thinking skills. The plural form is more natural when referring to a broad ability made up of several sub-skills.