What are the right answers to the Critic chance cards in The Sims 4?

Sims 4 Critic chance cards: every answer

The Critic career has 19 chance cards. Here is every card, each choice, and what it can lead to, with its odds and its effect on job performance, from the game files. On 14 of them, one choice is best for job performance.

The Purloined Papers

Your Sim is running out of newspapers to deliver, when he/she turns a corner and collides with another Paper Deliverer going the opposite direction! The collision causes papers to fly everywhere…

Leave Deliveries Unfinished

100%: Your Sim helps clean up the mess, but without enough papers must return to the office early. The boss berates him/her, and sends your Sim back out to deliver the papers late. (job performance −10)

Steal More Papers

50%: Your Sim offers to help clean up, and in the bustle swipes enough copies for the rest of his/her route without being seen. When he/she returns, your Sim see the other Paper Deliverer being fired for not finishing their route. That was a close one! (job performance +7)
50%: Your Sim offers to help, and while cleaning up tries to grab a few papers for himself/herself. But the other Paper Deliverer catches him/her in the act, and reports the theft to the boss. Your Sim is sent home shamed. (job performance −10; moodlet: Embarrassed from Work)

To the Source

While researching a new story for their boss, your Sim gets distracted by a really fascinating Wiki page. Their boss calls them into the office for a full report. What does your Sim say?

Admit the Truth

100%: Your Sim shrugs and admits he/she was distracted. The boss is annoyed, but understands, and thanks your Sim for the honesty, but also puts a mark on his/her performance report. (job performance −10)

Wing It

50%: Your Sim begins answering his/her boss's questions, but after one particularly far fetched answer, his/her boss cuts him/her short. "You didn't read this at all, did you?" your Sim admits the truth and leaves the office ashamed and chastised. (job performance −10; moodlet: Embarrassed from Work)
50%: Your Sim begins answering his/her boss's questions with no regard for truth or accuracy. The boss, impressed with his/her apparently firm handle on the topic, rewards your Sim generously and praises his/her ethic! (job performance +7)

Parking Hijinks

Your Sim is assigned the parking beat, which isn't exciting, but COULD be. He/She wants to find a hot scoop, but only has time to investigate one of two leads.

Best for job performance: Sunday Parking Fees.

Sunday Parking Fees

100%: Your Sim digs into the rumor that city council is considering Sunday Parking Fees, and it's true! This is an outrage and your Sim's piece will surely force the council to think twice, while your Sim enjoys a boost to his/her writing prestige! (job performance +15; skill: Writing)

Unpainted Zones

50%: Your Sim calls the Department of Parking Enforcement to ask about unpainted zones being enforced. A short while later, thugs from the department paint "your Sim stinks!" on the office wall. Lame! Your Sim is the laughing stock of the staff. (job performance −10; moodlet: Embarrassed from Work)
50%: Your Sim calls the Department of Parking Enforcement to ask about unpainted zones being treated as painted zones. The official gives a fuzzy response, which your Sim catches on tape. Now, the department is reconsidering their position and your Sim is basking in the glory of the story. (job performance +7; moodlet: Happy from Work)

Back Alley Article

Your Sim is investigating back alley kitchens for the next hot thing. They find a small place serving the most delicious sushi, but it doesn't look terribly clean. Should they report it to the readers or the health department?

Best for job performance: Recommend It.

Recommend It

100%: Your Sim writes a glowing article about the exquisite preparation and excellent flavors. Soon, the restaurant is the hottest thing in town, even if a few people get sick. (job performance +15)

Shut It Down

100%: Your Sim gives an anonymous call to the Health Department. The restaurant is investigated and shut down quickly. The boss is angry there's no weekly article. But thankfully nobody got sick. (job performance −10; moodlet: Happy from Work)

The Dangerous Sample

Your Sim is on assignment at a new food stall when a plate of gnarly looking samples is put in front of them. "Try!" the vendor insists.

Best for job performance: Try Sample.

Try Sample

100%: Your Sim carefully adds a bite of the odd substance to his/her mouth and is immediately engulfed in a blast of flavor. "This is incredible!" exclaims your Sim. He/She learned more about cooking by identifying the chef responsible! (job performance +7; skill: Cooking)

"No Thanks"

50%: Your Sim turns up his/her nose and declines the food. The waiter looks crestfallen, but steps to the side. "That dish tastes awful," says a peer to your Sim. "You just avoided an appointment with the toilet!" (no job performance change)
50%: Your Sim brushes off the vendor and steps to the side. Another passerby tries the food and draws a crowd after exclaiming "Eureka!" your Sim tries to get a sample, but is knocked down as the hordes of eager foodies draw in. (job performance −10)

Pan or Praise

Your Sim is trying the latest cuisine of a hip new restaurant, but everything tastes like soapy water. It seems the kitchen staff isn't paying attention! Does your Sim pan the restaurant, or praise it to remain in its good graces?

Best for job performance: Pan It.

Pan It

100%: Your Sim writes a scathing review that's hotter than the tepid food served at the restaurant. The community reacts overwhelmingly favorable. Finally someone had the gumption to speak out! (job performance +15)

Praise It

50%: Your Sim writes a vague, but kind review of the restaurant that skirts the issues of actual food quality. The restaurant appreciates the kindness and sends your Sim a "tip" for the aid. (+§500)
50%: Your Sim's review is received as well as the food was delicious -- not well. Folks clamoring for an honest stinger feel let down and your Sim's ratings plummet. (job performance −10)

Critic's Corner

Your Sim wants to create a community of fellow foodies to sample foods and communally offer critiques. However, the issue remains of whether it should be an invite only group, or open to all comers.

Best for job performance: Invite Only.

Invite Only

50%: Your Sim decides to make the club invite only. Instantly, the Critic's Corner is THE place to be. Everyone wants in, and everyone is trying their best to improve their criticism game. Your Sim has become the talk of the town! (job performance +15)
50%: Your Sim begins the first meeting of the Critic's Corner, but nobody shows up! The excluded critics established a Counter-Critic's Corner in protest and now your Sim is all alone. (job performance −10)

Open Invitation

100%: Your Sim opens the door to the Critic's Corner to see an absolute flood of attendees. Because everyone was invited, everyone arrived! Your Sim's meeting accomplishes nothing and he/she takes a performance hit from trying to wrangle the mess of a crowd. (job performance −10)

Palette of Kings

Your Sim is invited to the candy factory to describe a revolutionary new flavor, but cannot quite identify it. Do they describe it as "Licorice Sweet" or "Cherry Finish?"

Best for job performance: Cherry Finish.

Licorice Sweet

50%: Your Sim decides the dish is defined by its licorice lead in. Early comments on the post note that your Sim's description is perfect and evocative and your Sim enjoys a career boost as a result. (job performance +15)
50%: Your Sim cautiously notes the dish is licorice sweet, but early comments pan the statement, noting it's a saccharine description at best, and licorice isn't that popular. Disheartened, your Sim's readership takes a hit. (job performance −10)

Cherry Finish

100%: Your Sim evocatively describes the dish's Cherry Finish. Your Sim's boss praises the prose and rewards them with a portion of the ad revenue brought in by the article. (job performance +15; +§500)

Chop Ninja

A local restaurant asks your Sim to consult on how to describe their new celebrity chef to gain maximum exposure. Your Sim is trying to decide between "Chop Ninja" or "Starch Blaster."

Best for job performance: Chop Ninja.

Chop Ninja

50%: Your Sim pitches "Chop Ninja" to the restaurant and their faces light up like the glint of a high powered bulb on a sharpened kitchen blade. Your Sim is paid handsomely for his/her idea. (job performance +15; +§500)
50%: Your Sim pitches "Chop Ninja," to the groans of their client. "Chop Ninja?" they ask. "When we clearly focus on blenders?" your Sim is shown the door empty handed. (job performance −10)

Starch Blaster

50%: "What about Starch Blaster?" asks your Sim cautiously. "We love it!" shout the clients. Your Sim is given a cash bonus and a personal cooking lesson from the clients in appreciation for his/her efforts. (job performance +7; +§500; skill: Gourmet Cooking)
50%: Your Sim pitches "Starch Blaster" to immediate boos. The clients feel it is wrong to focus on such a "lousy" food group and points your Sim towards the door. (job performance −10)

Deep Fridge Fallout

Your Sim is judging a chef competition when the motor in the fridge dies. The officials want to cancel the competition, but your Sim thinks it can still be continued with a fun twist.

Best for job performance: Use Vending Machine.

Use Vending Machine

100%: Your Sim shrugs off the broken fridge and challenges the contestants to use ingredients from the vending machine instead. The contest results in brilliant ideas and observers are thrilled. Your Sim is rewarded for his/her quick thinking. (job performance +15)

Fix it with Food

50%: Your Sim challenges the contestants to fix the fridge using only food. The result, unfortunately, is a dash of electrocution and a lot of burnt popcorn. Your Sim is kicked off the judge's panel and suffers a performance hit. (job performance −10)
50%: Your Sim offers the contestants a choice: make the best dish, or fix the fridge using only food. One enterprising candidate rigs a potato and lemon to the fridge and it whirs back to life. Your Sim is given a performance boost for his/her quick thinking. (job performance +15)

The Truffle Question

Your Sim is asked in an interview what their favorite flavor is. The audience has been speculating for weeks. After hours of thought and several pro/con charts your Sim narrows it down to two: truffle or squid ink.

Truffle

100%: Your Sim states emphatically that Truffle is the best flavor. Readers respond with overwhelming agreement and the Truffle industry sends your Sim a cash gift for his/her patronage. (job performance +15; +§500)

Squid Ink

100%: Your Sim states emphatically that squid ink is the best flavor. Readers respond with overwhelming agreement and the salty squid ink sailors sends your Sim a cash gift for his/her patronage. (job performance +15; +§500)

Four Stars or Else

Your Sim wants to pan a movie. However, the creators catch wind of the review and threaten your Sim with "Four Stars…or else." Does your Sim write a four star or one star review? Gulp!

Best for job performance: One Star.

Four Stars

100%: Your Sim crumbles under pressure and writes a vague four star review. The creators send your Sim an email in thanks… which is seen by his/her boss. The performance hit is not gentle! (job performance −10)

One Star

50%: Your Sim sticks to his/her guns and writes the full, en fuego one star review. It turns out the creators were not bluffing. Your Sim is sent a few suspicious packages and is immediately queasy and nauseated. (moodlet: UUURRRRPPPP!)
50%: Your Sim sticks to his/her guns and writes the full, en fuego one star review. It turns out the creators were bluffing. Your Sim's boss recognizes his/her integrity and rewards him/her with a performance boost. (job performance +15)

On Stage

Your Sim is at an early showing at a theater, filled with fellow pundits. A call goes out for help from an audience member. Does your Sim jump at the chance?

Best for job performance: Go on Stage.

Go on Stage

50%: Your Sim steals the show, and the other critics applaud wildly. Flush with excitement, your Sim is returned to his/her seat. The actors invite your Sim to the post-show party, thanking him/her for their performance. (job performance +15)
50%: Your Sim leaps on stage, but trips and falls in the process. Embarrassed in front of his/her peers, your Sim slinks away, missing the end of the show. (job performance −10)

Hide

100%: Your Sim ducks and manages to avoid notice. The audience member he/she picks does awful, and the show is a bust. Oh well. That's better then making a fool of yourself. (no job performance change)

Red Carpeting

Your Sim is asked to cover the red carpet for an awards show. He/She needs a clever introduction for celebrities. What should it be?

Best for job performance: How ARE You?.

That Dress!

50%: Your Sim shouts "That Dress!" to an actor not in a dress and they are NOT pleased with the joke. Your Sim is dressed down by the irate actor and his/her performance suffers a hit as a result. (job performance −10)
50%: Your Sim just starts exclaiming "That dress!" to actors, regardless of what they're wearing, and the joke is a huge hit. It breaks the ice and your Sim's coverage of the show is the talk of the town. (job performance +15)

How ARE You?

100%: Your Sim emphatically asks "How are you?" with an emphasis on the "Are" to the delight of snarky red carpet goers. The audience loves the performance and your Sim takes one more step towards their next promotion. (job performance +15)

Cultural Infusion

Your Sim is writing an article to promote the latest cultural trends. The problem is, he/she cannot decide whether he/she should write about fashion or festivals.

Fashion!

100%: Your Sim writes about fashion and the latest from Threadbear Wear, a clever ursine-pun related organization that features diverse cultures. The response is huge and your Sim earns a performance bump for their outstanding eye on the culture beat. (job performance +15)

Festivals!

100%: Your Sim begins a new post about festivals, which soon becomes a visual milieu of all the exciting activities in the city. Readers are thrilled by the many things to explore in the city, which is reflected in the thrilling performance boost your Sim receives. (job performance +15)

Critics' Meeting

Your Sim sets up a meeting to discuss important critic stuff, when an underling raises a question. "What of the Oxford comma?" they ask.

Comma bad!

50%: Your Sim states the use of the Oxford comma is shameful, which is met by sneers from the larger majority of staff. Your Sim loses performance for their controversial opinion and its effect on staff productivity! (job performance −10)
50%: Your Sim states the use of the Oxford comma is shameful and is forsaken. The larger majority of staff critics erupts in cheers and back pats. Your Sim receives a performance boost for navigating the perilous path well. (job performance +15)

Comma good!

50%: Your Sim states the use of the Oxford comma is most appropriate. The larger majority of staff critics erupts in cheers and back pats. Your Sim receives a performance boost for navigating the perilous path well. (job performance +15)
50%: Your Sim states the use of the Oxford comma is fantastic, which is met by sneers from the larger majority of staff. Your Sim loses performance for their controversial opinion and its effect on staff productivity! (job performance −10)

Top of the Charts

Your Sim has an award winning column called Top of the Charts that is the trend setter for what's in. He/She wants to add some spice, so he/she needs a controversial top choice this week. What should he/she peg for #1?

Best for job performance: Drip Coffee.

Drip Coffee

100%: Your Sim proclaims Drip Coffee is the top of the charts, which is as bold as the brew itself. Initial responses are hot and fiery in favor of the proclamation and your Sim's column sees an uptick in traffic. (job performance +15)

Decaf Mochi

50%: When Decaf Mochi is first proclaimed top of the charts, it catches everyone off guard. Not for being novel, but for being a terrible idea. Your Sim's column takes a hit, as does their job performance. (job performance −10)
50%: When Decaf Mochi is first proclaimed top of the charts, it catches everyone off guard. Your Sim is declared a cultural revolutionary and the Mochi Industry sends your Sim a care package in thanks. (+§500)

Award Show Host

Your Sim has to host an award show for up and coming cultural events and he/she wants to write an amazing monologue. Should he/she lampoon funny accents or weird hairstyles?

Best for job performance: Weird Hairstyles.

Funny Accents

100%: Your Sim begins a joke about a funny accent that results immediately in boos from the audience. Your Sim quickly takes the show to commercial, during which time he/she is scolded by his/her boss. (job performance −10)

Weird Hairstyles

50%: Your Sim begins telling jokes about goofy hairstyles, but his/her co-host, who is bald, takes umbrage and derails the monologue. Your Sim cuts to commercial and a stern critique from his/her boss. (job performance −10)
50%: Your Sim tells a joke about goofy hairstyles, which is a safe, funny joke loved by the audience. They then segue into comments on cultural influences of hair and the first awards. It's a big success! (job performance +15)

Museum Opening

Your Sim is the honored guest at a new museum opening. Your Sim is torn between dressing formally from his/her work closet, or going casually. It's a tough call and a tough audience, so the choice is extremely important!

Best for job performance: Dress Formally.

Dress Casually

50%: Your Sim decides casual attire is best, and it is! Nobody else is wearing a suit, except the wait staff, as the exhibit is clearly focused on laid back art and culture. Your Sim receives a cash grant as a reward for attending as the honored guest. (+§500)
50%: Your Sim shows up in casual attire and is immediately the odd duck, as everyone else is wearing formal tuxedos and evening gown. Gulp. That faux pas will surely affect your Sim's performance! (job performance −10)

Dress Formally

100%: Your Sim arrives in formal attire, as only the finest fashionistas would do. His/Her glamorous presence attracts a good deal of gossip and attention, and the tabloids drive his/her profile even higher. (job performance +15)

The odds are the game's: each result of a choice has the same weight unless a skill or trait test changes it, as noted. The effect in brackets is what the result's loot does. "Best for job performance" is the choice with the highest expected change, shown only when every chance on the card is known.