A method of introducing a single sharp crack with controllable length and position in brittle materials by thermal shock is proposed. This method is simple to conduct and suitable for the precise testing of critical fracture parameters, with accurate values of fracture toughness of brittle ceramics, such as ZrB2-SiC-graphite (ZSG), able to be obtained. Moreover, this provides an experiment foundation for the study of the relationship between mechanical properties and cracks: The effects of crack length and specimen thickness on the residual strength of ZSG were investigated here. Further comparison between the experimental data and the results of the extended finite-element calculation was made. Through proper control over the thermal shock, a desired number of uniformly distributed and roughly parallel cracks can be obtained.