Question 1

Which of the following arguments is a generalization?

Accepted Answer

A) Jumping rope is a good cardiovascular exercise, so more people should jump rope. 
B) The last two hitchhikers I picked up were lousy company.So no hitchhiker is good company. 
C) Raising the shipwreck from the bottom of the lake will be very expensive, so we'll need a wealthy financier for the project. 
D) Tensions between the two countries are rising, so war seems inevitable. 
E) A horse and a donkey can produce offspring, so a horse and a deer probably can as well. 
A) Jumping rope is a good cardiovascular exercise, so more people should jump rope. 
B) The last two hitchhikers I picked up were lousy company.So no hitchhiker is good company. 
C) Raising the shipwreck from the bottom of the lake will be very expensive, so we'll need a wealthy financier for the project. 
D) Tensions between the two countries are rising, so war seems inevitable. 
E) A horse and a donkey can produce offspring, so a horse and a deer probably can as well.

Question 2

Is it always permissible to add another independent premise to an argument?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes, because no argument is ever truly complete. 
B) Yes, because each independent premise begins a brand new line of argument. 
C) Yes, because logic requires that every possible independent premise be included. 
D) No, because if the argument is already complete, a new independent premise will add nothing. 
E) No, because only new dependent premises may be added. 
A) Yes, because no argument is ever truly complete. 
B) Yes, because each independent premise begins a brand new line of argument. 
C) Yes, because logic requires that every possible independent premise be included. 
D) No, because if the argument is already complete, a new independent premise will add nothing. 
E) No, because only new dependent premises may be added.

Question 3

If an argument is cogent, this means that:

Accepted Answer

A) it is deductive 
B) it is valid and its premises are true 
C) it is strong and its premises are true 
D) it is easily disproven 
E) it makes sense to everyone who hears it 
A) it is deductive 
B) it is valid and its premises are true 
C) it is strong and its premises are true 
D) it is easily disproven 
E) it makes sense to everyone who hears it

Question 4

Generalization is:

Accepted Answer

A) interrupting while someone else is trying to explain an argument 
B) arguing in a vague way without specifying what you mean 
C) drawing a conclusion without any evidence to support it 
D) applying a general rule to a particular case 
E) drawing a conclusion about a class of things by observing a sample of the class 
A) interrupting while someone else is trying to explain an argument 
B) arguing in a vague way without specifying what you mean 
C) drawing a conclusion without any evidence to support it 
D) applying a general rule to a particular case 
E) drawing a conclusion about a class of things by observing a sample of the class

Question 5

Which of the following diagrams is the best fit for this argument, given that the first proposition is the conclusion? (1) Extremely sarcastic people feel inadequate.
(2) Extreme sarcasm is a form of unprovoked hostility.
(3) Unprovoked hostility results from feelings of inadequacy.

Accepted Answer

A)    
B)    
C)    
D)    
E)    
A)    
B)    
C)    
D)    
E)

Question 6

To provide evidence for a conclusion, an argument must have which two essential attributes?

Accepted Answer

A) true premises and a proper logical relation between premises and conclusion 
B) true premises and a large number of premises 
C) true premises and premises that can be verified by an impartial judge 
D) a large number of premises and a proper logical relation between premises and conclusion 
E) a large number of premises and premises that can be verified by an impartial judge 
A) true premises and a proper logical relation between premises and conclusion 
B) true premises and a large number of premises 
C) true premises and premises that can be verified by an impartial judge 
D) a large number of premises and a proper logical relation between premises and conclusion 
E) a large number of premises and premises that can be verified by an impartial judge

Question 7

What is the conclusion of the following argument? For an object with mass to travel at the speed of light, an infinite amount of energy would be required, and in view of that fact, travel at the speed of light is impossible.

Accepted Answer

A) travel at the speed of light is impossible 
B) an object with mass travels at the speed of light 
C) an infinite amount of energy would be required 
D) for an object with mass to travel at the speed of light, an infinite amount of energy would be required 
E) There is no conclusion, since this is not an argument at all. 
A) travel at the speed of light is impossible 
B) an object with mass travels at the speed of light 
C) an infinite amount of energy would be required 
D) for an object with mass to travel at the speed of light, an infinite amount of energy would be required 
E) There is no conclusion, since this is not an argument at all.

Question 8

Are inductive arguments or deductive arguments more likely to have true conclusions?

Accepted Answer

A) Inductive, because they are not bound by as many rules. 
B) Inductive, because they are more likely to be based on true observations. 
C) Deductive, because they are more ordered. 
D) Deductive, because they are more simple and straightforward. 
E) Neither is more likely to have true conclusions. 
A) Inductive, because they are not bound by as many rules. 
B) Inductive, because they are more likely to be based on true observations. 
C) Deductive, because they are more ordered. 
D) Deductive, because they are more simple and straightforward. 
E) Neither is more likely to have true conclusions.

Question 9

If there are two strong arguments, can one be stronger than the other?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes, because one might have more importance. 
B) Yes, because one might support its conclusion better. 
C) No, because all arguments are equally strong. 
D) No, because every argument is strong in its own way. 
E) No, because arguments can't really be compared to each other. 
A) Yes, because one might have more importance. 
B) Yes, because one might support its conclusion better. 
C) No, because all arguments are equally strong. 
D) No, because every argument is strong in its own way. 
E) No, because arguments can't really be compared to each other.

Question 10

Analogy is:

Accepted Answer

A) another word for analysis 
B) arguing by telling a story instead of laying out premises 
C) comparing two things to show how different they are 
D) drawing a conclusion about one thing because of its similarity to something else 
E) a system for diagramming arguments 
A) another word for analysis 
B) arguing by telling a story instead of laying out premises 
C) comparing two things to show how different they are 
D) drawing a conclusion about one thing because of its similarity to something else 
E) a system for diagramming arguments

Question 11

What is the premise of the following argument? Since the proposed bill would be unfair to farmers, it should not be passed into law.

Accepted Answer

A) the proposed bill 
B) passed into law 
C) the bill should not be passed into law 
D) the proposed bill would be unfair to farmers 
E) There is no premise, since this is not an argument at all 
A) the proposed bill 
B) passed into law 
C) the bill should not be passed into law 
D) the proposed bill would be unfair to farmers 
E) There is no premise, since this is not an argument at all

Question 12

In the diagram of an argument with dependent premises, the minimum number of arrows is:

Accepted Answer

A) zero 
B) one 
C) two 
D) three 
E) There is no minimum. 
A) zero 
B) one 
C) two 
D) three 
E) There is no minimum.

Question 13

Which of the following diagrams is the best fit for this argument, given that the second and third propositions are conclusions? (1) Most soda contains high-fructose corn syrup.
(2) Most soda tastes sweet.
(3) Most soda can cause cavities.

Accepted Answer

A)    
B)    
C)    
D)    
E)    
A)    
B)    
C)    
D)    
E)

Question 14

What is the implicit premise in the following argument? Being a friend requires honesty, so Laura isn't my friend.

Accepted Answer

A) Laura isn't honest. 
B) Laura used to be my friend. 
C) Laura wants to be my friend. 
D) Laura gossiped about me. 
E) Laura lied about being busy this weekend. 
A) Laura isn't honest. 
B) Laura used to be my friend. 
C) Laura wants to be my friend. 
D) Laura gossiped about me. 
E) Laura lied about being busy this weekend.

Question 15

Can an argument be sound, but invalid?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes, because its conclusion might seem to be true, even though it isn't. 
B) Yes, because its conclusion might be true, even though the argument is badly constructed. 
C) No, because validity is a requirement for soundness. 
D) No, because invalid arguments never have true premises. 
E) No, because invalid arguments never have true conclusions. 
A) Yes, because its conclusion might seem to be true, even though it isn't. 
B) Yes, because its conclusion might be true, even though the argument is badly constructed. 
C) No, because validity is a requirement for soundness. 
D) No, because invalid arguments never have true premises. 
E) No, because invalid arguments never have true conclusions.

Question 16

Which of the following is an argument? (I) It will probably rain tomorrow because a cold front is moving in.
(II) It rained yesterday because a cold front moved in.

Accepted Answer

A) there is not enough information to know 
B) neither 
C) both I and II 
D) only I 
E) only II 
A) there is not enough information to know 
B) neither 
C) both I and II 
D) only I 
E) only II

Question 17

Arguments can be distinguished from other sorts of discourse by the fact that they:

Accepted Answer

A) attempt to give logical support for an idea 
B) have an angry tone 
C) look at reasons both for and against an idea 
D) involve two people who disagree with each other 
E) are concerned with truth 
A) attempt to give logical support for an idea 
B) have an angry tone 
C) look at reasons both for and against an idea 
D) involve two people who disagree with each other 
E) are concerned with truth

Question 18

Which of the following arguments is an analogy?

Accepted Answer

A) Because peanuts are like nuts, and nuts are high in protein, peanuts must be high in protein. 
B) A dolphin is a type of whale, and all whales are mammals.So a dolphin is a mammal. 
C) War leads to bloodshed, and bloodshed leads to human misery.Therefore war leads to human misery. 
D) Because maggots can be used to clean wounds, maggots are medically useful. 
E) Considering that two of my friends have betrayed me, no one can be trusted. 
A) Because peanuts are like nuts, and nuts are high in protein, peanuts must be high in protein. 
B) A dolphin is a type of whale, and all whales are mammals.So a dolphin is a mammal. 
C) War leads to bloodshed, and bloodshed leads to human misery.Therefore war leads to human misery. 
D) Because maggots can be used to clean wounds, maggots are medically useful. 
E) Considering that two of my friends have betrayed me, no one can be trusted.

Question 19

Which of the following premises provides the strongest support for the conclusion that Lionel is greedy?

Accepted Answer

A) Lionel is very rich. 
B) Lionel only buys things when they are on sale. 
C) Lionel doesn't get along with other people. 
D) Lionel never makes a donation to the United Way. 
E) Lionel took more than his fair share of the diamonds we found. 
A) Lionel is very rich. 
B) Lionel only buys things when they are on sale. 
C) Lionel doesn't get along with other people. 
D) Lionel never makes a donation to the United Way. 
E) Lionel took more than his fair share of the diamonds we found.

Question 20

Is every argument by analogy an inductive argument?

Accepted Answer

A) Yes, because the two things being analogized are never completely identical to each other. 
B) Yes, because the conclusion never necessarily follows from the premises. 
C) No, because analogy is not a form of argument at all. 
D) No, because some analogies are completely true. 
E) No, because argument by analogy is also a type of deductive argument. 
A) Yes, because the two things being analogized are never completely identical to each other. 
B) Yes, because the conclusion never necessarily follows from the premises. 
C) No, because analogy is not a form of argument at all. 
D) No, because some analogies are completely true. 
E) No, because argument by analogy is also a type of deductive argument.

Which of the following arguments is a generalization?

Is it always permissible to add another independent premise to an argument?

If an argument is cogent, this means that:

Generalization is:

Which of the following diagrams is the best fit for this argument, given that the first proposition is the conclusion? (1) Extremely sarcastic people feel inadequate. (2) Extreme sarcasm is a form of unprovoked hostility. (3) Unprovoked hostility results from feelings of inadequacy.

To provide evidence for a conclusion, an argument must have which two essential attributes?

What is the conclusion of the following argument? For an object with mass to travel at the speed of light, an infinite amount of energy would be required, and in view of that fact, travel at the speed of light is impossible.

Are inductive arguments or deductive arguments more likely to have true conclusions?

If there are two strong arguments, can one be stronger than the other?

Analogy is:

What is the premise of the following argument? Since the proposed bill would be unfair to farmers, it should not be passed into law.

In the diagram of an argument with dependent premises, the minimum number of arrows is:

Which of the following diagrams is the best fit for this argument, given that the second and third propositions are conclusions? (1) Most soda contains high-fructose corn syrup. (2) Most soda tastes sweet. (3) Most soda can cause cavities.

What is the implicit premise in the following argument? Being a friend requires honesty, so Laura isn't my friend.

Can an argument be sound, but invalid?

Which of the following is an argument? (I) It will probably rain tomorrow because a cold front is moving in. (II) It rained yesterday because a cold front moved in.

Arguments can be distinguished from other sorts of discourse by the fact that they:

Which of the following arguments is an analogy?

Which of the following premises provides the strongest support for the conclusion that Lionel is greedy?

Is every argument by analogy an inductive argument?

Classification

Definitions

Propositions

Fallacies

Categorical Propositions

Categorical Syllogisms

Reasoning With Syllogisms

Propositional Logic-Propositions

Propositional Logic-Arguments

Predicate Logic

Inductive Generalizations

Argument by Analogy

Statistical Reasoning

Explanation

Probability

Filters

Exam 4: Argument Analysis

Which of the following arguments is a generalization?

Is it always permissible to add another independent premise to an argument?

If an argument is cogent, this means that:

Generalization is:

Which of the following diagrams is the best fit for this argument, given that the first proposition is the conclusion? (1) Extremely sarcastic people feel inadequate. (2) Extreme sarcasm is a form of unprovoked hostility. (3) Unprovoked hostility results from feelings of inadequacy.

To provide evidence for a conclusion, an argument must have which two essential attributes?

What is the conclusion of the following argument? For an object with mass to travel at the speed of light, an infinite amount of energy would be required, and in view of that fact, travel at the speed of light is impossible.

Are inductive arguments or deductive arguments more likely to have true conclusions?

If there are two strong arguments, can one be stronger than the other?

Analogy is:

What is the premise of the following argument? Since the proposed bill would be unfair to farmers, it should not be passed into law.

In the diagram of an argument with dependent premises, the minimum number of arrows is:

Which of the following diagrams is the best fit for this argument, given that the second and third propositions are conclusions? (1) Most soda contains high-fructose corn syrup. (2) Most soda tastes sweet. (3) Most soda can cause cavities.

What is the implicit premise in the following argument? Being a friend requires honesty, so Laura isn't my friend.

Can an argument be sound, but invalid?

Which of the following is an argument? (I) It will probably rain tomorrow because a cold front is moving in. (II) It rained yesterday because a cold front moved in.

Arguments can be distinguished from other sorts of discourse by the fact that they:

Which of the following arguments is an analogy?

Which of the following premises provides the strongest support for the conclusion that Lionel is greedy?

Is every argument by analogy an inductive argument?

Classification

Definitions

Propositions

Fallacies

Categorical Propositions

Categorical Syllogisms

Reasoning With Syllogisms

Propositional Logic-Propositions

Propositional Logic-Arguments

Predicate Logic

Inductive Generalizations

Argument by Analogy

Statistical Reasoning

Explanation

Probability

Filters