Question: A misdemeanor is a minor criminal offense punishable by less than one year in prison. Thus, petty theft is a misdemeanor, as is vandalism, trespassing, and prostitution. Some people convicted of misdemeanors are fined. Others are sentenced to probation or community service.
Answer Choices: a. Nonargument. b. Argument; conclusion: Some people convicted of misdemeanors are fined. c. Argument; conclusion: Petty theft is a misdemeanor … and prostitution. d. Argument; conclusion: Others are sentenced to probation or community service. e. Argument; conclusion: A misdemeanor … one year in prison.
Answer: a. Nonargument.
Question: Capitalism tends to stratify society. Those who are successful are respected and rewarded. Those who are not are abandoned as failures. The net result is that society becomes hierarchical. This is an elitist circumstance thought desirable by people on the right. — Leon P. Baradat, Political Ideologies
Answer Choices: a. Argument; conclusion: Those who are successful are respected and rewarded. b. Argument; conclusion: The net result is that society becomes hierarchical. c. Argument; conclusion: This is an elitist circumstance … on the right. d. Nonargument. e. Argument; conclusion: Capitalism tends to stratify society.
Answer: e. Argument; conclusion: Capitalism tends to stratify society.
Question: Health can be conceptualized from medical, functional, or psychological perspectives. The medical model defines health as an absence of illness or disease, while the functional model defines health in terms of individuals’ ability to perform their assigned roles. The psychological model of health emphasizes physical, psychological, and social well-being in measuring the health of individuals. — Michael P. Soroka and George J. Bryjak, Social Problems: A World at Risk
Answer Choices: a. Nonargument. b. Argument; conclusion: Health can be conceptualized … perspectives. c. Argument; conclusion: The functional model … their assigned roles. d. Argument; conclusion: The medical model … or disease. e. Argument; conclusion: The psychological model … health of individuals.
Answer: a. Nonargument.
Question: The world economy is controlled by multinational corporations. The majority of them are based in the United States. Their power in the underdeveloped nations perpetuates the dependency of many Third World nations on the United States. Multinationals add to the tensions in Third World countries through arms sales and intervention in the domestic affairs of host countries. — D. Stanley Eitzen and Maxine Baca Zinn, Social Problems, 9th edition
Answer Choices: a. Argument; conclusion: The world economy … multinational corporations. b. Argument; conclusion: Their power … on the United States. c. Argument; conclusion: Multinationals add … affairs of host countries. d. Nonargument. e. Argument; conclusion: The majority of them are based in the United States.
Answer: d. Nonargument.
Question: Microorganisms are an essential part of the web of life in every environment. Microorganisms in the oceans and in bodies of fresh water capture energy from sunlight and store it in molecules that other organisms use as food. They decompose dead organisms and waste materials from living organisms. And they even make nitrogen available to plants.
Answer Choices: a. Argument; conclusion: Microorganisms are an essential part … in every environment. b. Argument; conclusion: Microorganisms in the oceans … store it in molecules. c. Argument; conclusion: They decompose dead organisms … waste materials. d. Argument; conclusion: They even make nitrogen available to plants. e. Nonargument.
Answer: a. Argument; conclusion: Microorganisms are an essential part … in every environment.
Question: Scott Peterson was convicted by a jury of murdering his wife and unborn son. Therefore, he must have actually committed these crimes.
Answer Choices: a. Inductive, sound. b. Inductive, strong. c. Deductive, invalid. d. Inductive, weak. e. Deductive, valid.
Answer: b. Inductive, strong.
Question: If stun guns are safe, then police officers will use them. Stun guns are not safe. Therefore, police officers will not use them.
Answer Choices: a. Inductive, strong. b. Inductive, weak. c. Deductive, valid. d. Deductive, cogent. e. Deductive, invalid.
Answer: e. Deductive, invalid.
Question: Figure A is a right triangle, and two of its sides have a length of 1 foot. Therefore, its third side is greater than 1 foot in length.
Answer Choices: a. Deductive, valid. b. Deductive, invalid. c. Inductive, strong. d. Deductive, sound. e. Inductive, weak.
Answer: a. Deductive, valid.
Question: Harry just bought a brand new car. Harry must have won the lottery.
Answer Choices: a. Deductive, invalid. b. Inductive, invalid. c. Deductive, valid. d. Inductive, strong. e. Inductive, weak.
Answer: e. Inductive, weak.
Question: The inscription beneath the image on a one-dollar bill reads “Washington.” Therefore, the image must be that of George Washington.
Answer Choices: a. Deductive, invalid. b. Deductive, valid. c. Deductive, sound. d. Inductive, strong. e. Inductive, weak.
Answer: b. Deductive, valid.
Question: No nations that ignore poverty are morally developed nations. No nations that ignore poverty are models for the Third World. Therefore, all morally developed nations are models for the Third World.
Answer Choices: a. Inductive, weak. b. Inductive, strong. c. Deductive, invalid. d. Deductive, sound. e. Deductive, valid.
Answer: c. Deductive, invalid.
Question: Of the more than 40 red wines imported from Australia, Green Valley, Old Châteaux, and Fireside Vineyards are excellent. Thus, it must be the case that all red wines imported from Australia are excellent.
Answer Choices: a. Deductive, valid. b. Inductive, weak. c. Inductive, strong. d. Deductive, invalid. e. Deductive, invalid.
Answer: b. Inductive, weak.
Question: The annual snowfall in Buffalo, New York, has been over 40 inches every year for the past 20 years. Therefore, probably the snowfall in Buffalo will be over 40 inches next year.
Answer Choices: a. Inductive, strong. b. Deductive, sound. c. Deductive, invalid. d. Deductive, valid. e. Inductive, weak.
Answer: a. Inductive, strong.
Question: The 2004 Olympic games were held in either Athens or Salt Lake City. But they were not held in Athens. Therefore, they were held in Salt Lake City.
Answer Choices: a. Inductive, valid. b. Deductive, invalid. c. Deductive, valid. d. Inductive, strong. e. Deductive, cogent.
Answer: c. Deductive, valid.
Question: Yuri Androvich is a blue-eyed Russian artist, and his paintings sell for over $10,000. Peter Roganov is also a blue-eyed Russian, and he just finished art school. Thus, his paintings should sell for over $10,000, too.
Answer Choices: a. Inductive, strong. b. Deductive, valid. c. Inductive, cogent. d. Deductive, invalid. e. Inductive, weak.
Answer: e. Inductive, weak.
Question: Given that 2x – 1 = 13. It follows that x = 6.
Answer Choices: a. Inductive, strong. b. Deductive, invalid. c. Deductive, valid. d. Inductive, weak. e. Deductive, sound.
Answer: b. Deductive, invalid.
Question: Time magazine carried an article on the huge hurricane that struck the Cayman Islands. Newsweek is similar in its coverage to Time. Thus, Newsweek must have carried an article on that hurricane.
Answer Choices: a. Deductive, sound. b. Inductive, strong. c. Deductive, invalid. d. Deductive, valid. e. Inductive, weak.
Answer: b. Inductive, strong.
Question: All essay contests are challenges that promote thinking. All challenges that promote thinking are educational experiences. Thus, all essay contests are educational experiences.
Answer Choices: a. Inductive, strong. b. Deductive, invalid. c. Inductive, weak. d. Deductive, valid. e. Inductive, cogent.
Answer: d. Deductive, valid.
Question: If malaria becomes drug resistant, then countless victims will perish. If malaria becomes drug resistant, then a major health crisis will erupt. Therefore, if a major health crisis erupts, then countless victims will perish.
Answer Choices: a. Deductive, invalid. b. Deductive, sound. c. Inductive, strong. d. Inductive, weak. e. Deductive, valid.
Answer: a. Deductive, invalid.
Question: The bumper sticker on that car says “Don’t Waste Your Vote. Vote Libertarian.” Therefore, it’s clear that you should vote for Libertarian candidates in the next election.
Answer Choices: a. Deductive, valid. b. Deductive, invalid. c. Inductive, weak. d. Inductive, cogent. e. Inductive, strong.
Answer: c. Inductive, weak.
Question: Maria is a hypochondriac. Therefore, she always worries about her health.
Answer Choices: a. Inductive, strong. b. Deductive, valid.
Answer: b. Deductive, valid.
Question: Author Tim LaHaye says that the rapture (when all righteous people will be miraculously lifted up to heaven) will occur in the not too distant future. Therefore, this event is sure to happen soon.
Answer Choices: a. Inductive, strong. b. Deductive, uncogent. c. Deductive, invalid. d. Inductive, weak. e. Deductive, valid.
Answer: d. Inductive, weak.
Question: Which of the following are all premise indicators?
Answer Choices: a. Hence, thus, implies that. b. Accordingly, seeing that, inasmuch as. c. For, given that, because. d. As, consequently, because. e. For the reason that, in that, wherefore.
Answer: c. For, given that, because.
Question: Which of the following are all arguments?
Answer Choices: a. Reports, arguments from signs, arguments from authority. b. Causal inferences, explanations, warnings. c. Illustrations, conditional statements, pieces of advice. d. Syllogisms, predictions, generalizations. e. Arguments from analogy, explanations, illustrations.
Answer: d. Syllogisms, predictions, generalizations.