Final answer:
The correct answer to whether it's recommended to place credit cards near permanent magnets is true; doing so can damage the magnetic strip on the card.
Step-by-step explanation:
The instruction about apprentices and reference materials appears to be unrelated to the critical thinking item on the effects of magnetic fields on credit cards. Concerning the critical thinking item, the accurate response is that it is indeed recommended not to place credit cards with magnetic strips near permanent magnets, making option b, "true," the correct answer.
Magnetic fields, especially those generated by permanent magnets, can adversely affect the magnetic strip on credit cards, leading to demagnetization. This demagnetization compromises the data encoded on the strip and can render the card inoperable. Therefore, exercising caution by keeping credit cards away from permanent magnets is a prudent practice to preserve their functionality and prevent potential inconvenience for cardholders.