Question: Amanda is writing an essay in her English course. She has received feedback from several classmates. One classmate in particular has offered many suggestions on which direction she might take. To determine the quality of the student’s feedback, though, she examines the feedback overall performance in the course and ultimately decides back against the student’s or the instructor or the classmate’s. She weighs her studies that he is a solid writer and a good student. In addition, much of his feedback is in line with the instructor’s suggestions, so she uses his feedback should be a priority. Amanda’s process of whether or not to decide that this student’s feedback based on his performance is an example of which of the following terms?
Answer Choices:
Inference
Interpretation
Evaluation
Analysis
Answer: Evaluation
Question: The word “but” indicates which of the following types of propositions?
Answer Choices:
conjunction
disjunction
conditional
negation
Answer: conjunction
Question: Which of the following sources of information is least likely to be distorted by someone with an interest in manipulating?
Answer Choices:
A newspaper report of a sports result.
A politician’s campaign speech.
A TV advertisement for a product.
An attorney’s closing argument for his or her client.
None of these.
Answer: A newspaper report of a sports result.
Question: Which of the following is NOT one of the correct descriptions of what it means for an argument to be valid?
Answer Choices:
If all of the premises are true then the conclusion cannot be false
The reasoning is correct and all of the premises are in fact true
It is logically impossible for the premises to be true and the conclusion false
the truth of the premises guarantees the truth of the conclusion
Answer: The reasoning is correct and all of the premises are in fact true
Question: A student asks a teacher for a 1-day extension. The teacher says if she gives a 1-day extension, then she would have to give a 2-day extension, then a 3-day extension, and eventually not have any deadlines at all. This is an example of which of the following fallacies?
Answer Choices:
Ad hominem.
Appeal to force.
Appeal to popular opinion.
Slippery slope.
Answer: Slippery slope.
Question: In the __________ argument, if the first event occurs, then another will follow, and if this happens, then another will follow, and this will be followed by progressively worse outcomes leading to a most undesirable end. This chain of conditional inferences is fallacious only if one or more of the chains is false or implausible, or if the indicated end is neither objectionable nor undesirable.
Answer Choices:
ad hominem
appeal to popular belief or practice
appeal to authority
slippery slope
Answer: slippery slope
Question: Informal logic is _________.
Answer Choices:
the study of mathematical properties of languages.
the study of arguments as they exist in everyday language.
the study of formal validity without a focus on everyday usages of critical thinking.
the scientific examination of specific truths.
Answer: the study of arguments as they exist in everyday language.
Question: Only circus animals with a clean bill of health will perform in today’s exhibition. A monkey, a poodle, and a horse will perform in today’s exhibition. No circus animals with a clean bill of health were prescribed medications this week.
If the statements above are true, which one of the following must also be true on the basis of them?
Answer Choices:
A. The monkey, poodle, and horse are the only animals performing in today’s circus exhibition.
B. No circus animals were prescribed medications this week.
C. No more than two circus animals have a clean bill of health.
D. Neither the monkey nor the horse performing in today’s circus exhibitions were prescribed medications this week.
Answer: D. Neither the monkey nor the horse performing in today’s circus exhibitions were prescribed medications this week.
Question: The authors of this text claim that logic is _______.
Answer Choices:
A. a human invention
B. something that only exists in certain parts of the world
C. something that began in England
D. a human attribute that can be learned
Answer: D. a human attribute that can be learned
Question: Scholarly sources do not need to be peer reviewed to be considered scholarly.
Answer Choices:
True
False
Answer: False
Question: An argument is deductive __________.
Answer Choices:
if it moves from the general to the particular.
if it moves from the particular to the general.
if it presents itself in relation to a hypothesis.
none of these
Answer: if it moves from the general to the particular.
Question: “My husband snores. All men must snore.” This statement commits which of the following fallacies?
Answer Choices:
Hasty generalization
Appeal to pity
False cause
Red herring
Answer: Hasty generalization
Question: The 1960 election set the stage for three future presidents. Which of the following was it NOT known for?
Answer Choices:
A) Massive advertising
B) Contributions from wealthy donors
C) Youth contrasted with experience
D) Importance of polls
Answer: B) Contributions from wealthy donors
Question: Which of the following is likely to indicate a premise?
Answer Choices:
Because
Therefore
Consequently
Hence
Answer: Because
Question: An argument in logic is _________.
Answer Choices:
a set of claims, some of which serve as support for another claim.
a debate between two people.
the conclusion of one’s reasoning.
a dispute with no resolution.
Answer: a set of claims, some of which serve as support for another claim.
Question: __________ fallacy, the flawed reasoning lies in accepting that because most in the populace believe that it is the case, then it must be true that X is the case.
Answer Choices:
Ad hominem
Appeal to popular opinion
Appeal to authority
Slippery slope
Answer: Appeal to popular opinion