(54%) of Americans between the ages of 16 and 74 read below the equivalent of a sixth-grade level

[MerrilyMerrily]

50. Partially - maybe?

Critical thinking is a skill evident in even very young children, and it is more likely to become very well-developed if encouraged. Of course, many bright kids do not back down and accept the "Why? Because I say so!" parenting technique for long.

Your vocabulary level will help you understand what you are reading on its face. Your ability to think critically will determine how well you evaluate the material in terms of making sense, encouraging or discouraging human values, etc.

Critical thinking helps you recognize when the writer is trying to manipulate you into guilt or fear or anger, or is simply making assertions that require verification. A 12th grade vocabulary level can't really help you with that.

Case in point: the number of college students who think Ayn Rand is brilliant and then realize she's a hack and a phony a few years later.

I just looked up the vocabulary list for a sixth-grade level. It is much more extensive than man woman person camera tv! Trump's stupidity is special, let's not pretend that people reading at a sixth grade level must be his voters and it's a wonder people at that reading level can put their shoes on the correct feet.