Applying critical thinking skills is an effective way to avoid being sidetracked by irrational thoughts. true or false ?

The answer is: true.

Critical thinking is an arduous process that involves all of the minds faculties (perception, understanding, discernment and judgment) applied to an argument or event in order to identify its conditions so as to determine whether it is justified or not. Through this thinking process one can safeguard against irrational thoughts from being determining of the scope of the problem allowing only for legitimate (that is to say, corroborated by experience and not just prejudice) uses of the mind´s faculties to operate upon the argument or event in question.  

d. the polar jet stream   lies between the polar easterlies and trade winds should be your answer