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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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 Options:
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.
Question: Which of the following are all deductive arguments?
Answer Options:
a. Arguments from analogy, arguments based on signs, causal inferences.
b. Arguments from analogy, predictions, causal inferences.
c. Predictions, hypothetical syllogisms, arguments from authority.
d. Arguments based in mathematics, hypothetical syllogisms, generalizations.
e. Categorical syllogisms, arguments from definition, disjunctive syllogisms.
Answer: e. Categorical syllogisms, arguments from definition, disjunctive syllogisms.
Question: An argument that concludes something is true because somebody has said so is:
Answer Options:
a. A deductive argument.
b. An inductive argument.
c. A strong argument.
d. A valid argument.
e. A sound argument.
Answer: b. An inductive argument.