Deck 1: Classification

Question 1

Consider the following list: BEVERAGE / Pepsi / SOFT DRINK.Which item on the list is functioning as a genus?

A)No item is functioning as a genus.
B)Every item is functioning as a genus.
C)BEVERAGE is functioning as a genus.
D)SOFT DRINK is functioning as a genus.
E)Pepsi is functioning as a genus.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Which of the following is a referent of the concept SINGER?

A)Madonna
B)album
C)Like a Prayer
D)vocalist
E)performer

Answer 2

A

Question 3

If "Russia" is a referent, which of the following could be the concept?

A)CONTINENT
B)BORDER
C)MOSCOW
D)COUNTRY
E)EUROPE

Answer 3

D

Question 4

If "this airplane" is a referent, which of the following could be the concept?

A)ENGINE
B)VEHICLE
C)ROCKET SHIP
D)CAR
E)WING

Question 5

An idea that represents a class of things that are grouped together is called:

A)a genus
B)concrete
C)a classification tree
D)a referent
E)a concept

Question 6

Which of the following best describes what a concept is?

A)A concept is an individual thing or item.
B)A concept is the same thing as a dictionary definition.
C)A concept is a part or piece of a referent.
D)A concept is an idea used to group referents together.
E)A concept is a plan that needs further development.

Question 7

Which of the following is a referent of the concept CITY?

A)town
B)restaurant
C)Asia
D)Washington, DC
E)population

Question 8

If "Abraham Lincoln" is a referent, which of the following could be the concept?

A)BEARDS
B)U.S.PRESIDENTS
C)HISTORIANS
D)AMERICAN CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS
E)TWENTIETH-CENTURY POLITICIANS

Question 9

The individuals grouped together under a concept are called:

A)referents
B)abstract
C)classifications
D)species
E)subspecies

Question 10

Which of the following is a referent of the concept DOG?

A)wolf
B)beagle
C)Lassie
D)breed
E)lap dog

Question 11

Which of the following is a referent of the concept JEWEL?

A)gem
B)the Hope Diamond
C)birthstone
D)ruby
E)facet

Question 12

Consider the following list: BEVERAGE / Pepsi / SOFT DRINK.Which of the following is more abstract than all of the terms on the list?

A)Coca Cola
B)this particular glass of Pepsi
C)liquid
D)cow's milk
E)cake

Question 13

Which of the following is a referent?

A)car
B)animal
C)ocean
D)amusement park
E)Hound of the Baskervilles

Question 14

Which of the following is a concept?

A)Fred Flintstone
B)my first car
C)the Statue of Liberty
D)South Africa
E)animal

Question 15

Which of the following is a referent of the concept BOOK?

A)library
B)The Great Gatsby
C)novel
D)magazine
E)fiction

Question 16

The relationship of SHAKESPEAREAN PLAY to Romeo and Juliet is:

A)genus to species
B)species to genus
C)concept to referent
D)referent to concept
E)abstract concept to concrete concept

Question 17

The relationship of POSTAL WORKER to CIVIL SERVANT is:

A)genus to species
B)species to genus
C)concept to referent
D)referent to concept
E)abstract concept to concrete concept

Question 18

Which of these pairs is a concept followed by one of its referents?

A)oxygen, element
B)DVD, videotape
C)tool, my screwdriver
D)rock and roll, country
E)roller coaster, amusement park ride

Question 19

Consider the following list: BEVERAGE / This glass of Pepsi / SOFT DRINK.Which item on the list is a referent?

A)No items are referents.
B)All items are referents.
C)BEVERAGE is a referent.
D)SOFT DRINK is a referent.
E)This glass of Pepsi is a referent.

Question 20

Which of the following is a concept?

A)Martha Stewart
B)Neptune
C)Egypt
D)furniture
E)Gone with the Wind

Question 21

Is BOX a genus or species?

A)Genus only.
B)Species only.
C)Genus for large boxes, species for small ones.
D)Neither, since it is a referent.
E)Either, depending on the context.

Question 22

Which of the following is most clearly a referent?

A)soft drink
B)baseball player
C)Kermit the Frog
D)movie on TV last night
E)iPod Nano

Question 23

In which list below are the concepts arranged in order of INCREASING abstractness?

A)ANIMAL, DOG, LABRADOR, MAMMAL
B)DOG, MAMMAL, LABRADOR, ANIMAL
C)LABRADOR, DOG, MAMMAL, ANIMAL
D)ANIMAL, LABRADOR, MAMMAL, DOG
E)MAMMAL, ANIMAL, DOG, LABRADOR

Question 24

FURNITURE is a genus.Could it also be a species?

A)No, because it is a genus.
B)No, because it is too narrow.
C)No, because it is too broad.
D)Yes, if the genus is TABLES.
E)Yes, if the genus is MAN-MADE OBJECTS.

Question 25

Which of the following pairs is a species followed by its genus?

A)COLOR: RED
B)COFFEE: HOT CHOCOLATE
C)TOGA: ARTICLE OF CLOTHING
D)ARMY: NAVY
E)LONDON: ENGLAND

Question 26

Which of the following pairs shows a genus followed by one of its species?

A)APPLE: FRUIT
B)LEMON: LIME
C)VEGETABLE: BROCCOLI
D)GARDEN: SALAD
E)LEAF: LETTUCE

Question 27

Which of the following could be the genus of the species AMERICAN CITIES?

A)DETROIT
B)KANSAS
C)MIDWESTERN AMERICAN CITIES
D)AMERICAN VILLAGES
E)WORLD CITIES

Question 28

Which is more abstract, a genus or one of its species?

A)A genus is more abstract.
B)A species is more abstract.
C)They are equally abstract.
D)Neither is abstract at all.
E)It depends on what the genus is.

Question 29

A species is a:

A)special or important referent
B)collection of unrelated referents
C)concept that is broader than a genus
D)concept that is narrower than a genus
E)way of grouping things that is used only in biology

Question 30

Which of the following is a species of the genus COLLEGE COURSE?

A)INSTRUCTOR
B)PHYSICS
C)CLASS SESSION
D)COLLEGE CLASS
E)MEANS OF LEARNING

Question 31

In which list below are the concepts arranged in order of INCREASING abstractness?

A)MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, STRINGED INSTRUMENT, GUITAR, ELECTRIC GUITAR
B)ELECTRIC GUITAR, STRINGED INSTRUMENT, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, GUITAR
C)MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, GUITAR, STRINGED INSTRUMENT, ELECTRIC GUITAR
D)ELECTRIC GUITAR, GUITAR, STRINGED INSTRUMENT, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
E)GUITAR, ELECTRIC GUITAR, MUSICAL INSTRUMENT, STRINGED INSTRUMENT

Question 32

In classification, "abstract" means:

A)that a term refers to a single individual
B)that a term is a referent
C)that a concept refers to something that cannot be touched
D)that a concept is difficult to understand
E)that a concept groups similar items together

Question 33

Which of the following could be a species of the genus LANGUAGE?

A)NOUN
B)FRENCH
C)NOISE
D)ALPHABET
E)FORM OF COMMUNICATION

Question 34

If a species is a file folder, then a genus is:

A)one of the files in that folder
B)a handful of files from that folder
C)a nearby file folder
D)a file drawer containing many file folders
E)a backup copy of the file folder

Question 35

Which of the following could be a species of the genus SPORTS?

A)PLAYERS
B)RULES
C)INTRAMURAL
D)ACTIVITIES
E)GAMES

Question 36

Must a genus have both species and real referents that exist in the world?

A)It must have species, but not real referents.
B)It must have real referents, but not species.
C)It must have both species and real referents.
D)It does not need to have either species or real referents, but it might have them anyway.
E)It does not need to have either species or real referents, and it cannot have them at all.

Question 37

A genus is a:

A)special or important referent
B)group of referents within a species
C)concept that is broader than a species
D)concept that is narrower than a species
E)person who is good at classification

Question 38

If a genus is a file drawer containing many file folders, then a species is:

A)the cabinet in which the file drawer is kept
B)a handful of folders from the drawer
C)a second drawer full of file folders
D)a file from one of the file folders
E)a file folder in the drawer

Question 39

Could a species belong to more than one genus?

A)Yes, but no more than three.
B)Yes, but only if the species has more than one referent.
C)Yes, but only if the first genus is extremely narrow.
D)Yes, it could belong to many.
E)No, because every species has exactly one genus.

Question 40

Consider the species CAT.Which of the following could be its genus?

A)LION
B)DOG
C)ANIMAL
D)MR.WHISKERS
E)PAW

Question 41

Can a referent ever be abstract?

A)Yes, if the referent is made up of many parts.
B)Yes, if there are many similar referents to group with it.
C)No, since only concepts are abstract.
D)No, since all referents can be seen and touched.
E)No, since all referents can be understood by everyone.

Question 42

When a classification is done properly (according to a consistent principle), the species will be:

A)enumerated and alphabetized
B)alphabetized and mutually exclusive
C)mutually exclusive and jointly exhaustive
D)jointly exhaustive and enumerated
E)alphabetized and jointly exhaustive

Question 43

Games can be classified into the following species: BOARD GAMES / TRACK AND FIELD / GAMES ON ICE.Which of the following species could be added while maintaining a consistent principle?

A)TEAM SPORTS
B)STRATEGY GAMES
C)AQUATIC GAMES
D)CONTACT SPORTS
E)RACING GAMES

Question 44

Which rule of classification is violated by the following system for classifying human heights? LESS THAN 5 FEET / FROM 5 to 6 FEET / GREATER THAN 6 FEET

A)The species are not jointly exhaustive.
B)The species are not mutually exclusive.
C)There is/are no consistent principle(s).
D)The essential attributes are not considered.
E)No rule is violated.

Question 45

Can two concepts be equally abstract?

A)Yes, but only if they have exactly the same set of referents.
B)Yes, but only if they are similarly broad in scope.
C)No, since one concept will always be a species of the other.
D)No, since if they were equally abstract, they would be the same concept.
E)This is a trick question.Concepts aren't abstract at all.

Question 46

Which of the following statements is true?

A)A genus is always more concrete than its species.
B)A species is always more concrete than its genus.
C)A genus and its species are always equally concrete.
D)Sometimes the genus is more concrete, and sometimes its species are more concrete.
E)We never apply the term "concrete" to concepts like genus and species.

Question 47

In which list below are the concepts arranged in order of INCREASING concreteness?

A)PHYSICAL OBJECT, MANUFACTURED OBJECT, TOY, BALL
B)BALL, MANUFACTURED OBJECT, PHYSICAL OBJECT, TOY
C)PHYSICAL OBJECT, BALL, MANUFACTURED OBJECT, TOY
D)MANUFACTURED OBJECT, TOY, BALL, PHYSICAL OBJECT
E)TOY, PHYSICAL OBJECT, MANUFACTURED OBJECT, BALL

Question 48

Which of the following systems of classification employs a consistent principle?

A)PLANTS: GRASSES / TALL / LEAFY / AQUATIC
B)FURNITURE: TABLE / CHAIR / COUCH / BED
C)SNAKES: LONG / COBRAS / CONSTRICTORS / AUSTRALIAN
D)PASTRIES: SWEET / CAKES / FLAT / FROSTED
E)TRIPS: LONG / EUROPEAN / BUSINESS / EXPENSIVE

Question 49

In which list below are the concepts arranged in order of INCREASING concreteness?

A)BRAN FLAKES, FOOD, BREAKFAST CEREAL, BREAKFAST FOOD
B)BREAKFAST FOOD, BREAKFAST CEREAL, FOOD, BRAN FLAKES
C)FOOD, BREAKFAST FOOD, BREAKFAST CEREAL, BRAN FLAKES
D)BREAKFAST CEREAL, FOOD, BRAN FLAKES, BREAKFAST FOOD
E)BREAKFAST CEREAL, BREAKFAST FOOD, BRAN FLAKES, FOOD

Question 50

Can an emotion (such as love) be concrete?

A)No, since emotions can't be seen or touched.
B)No, since each person can only sense his own emotions.
C)It depends on whether or not it causes a visible action.
D)Yes, because it is truly felt in the heart.
E)Yes, because it is a particular, individual thing.

Question 51

Can a system of classification violate more than one rule?

A)No, because there is only one rule.
B)No, because violating one rule is incompatible with violating others.
C)Yes, because a system that violates one rule will necessarily violate others.
D)Yes, because it might be very poorly designed.
E)Yes, because no classification system can follow all of the rules.

Question 52

The two rules for proper classification are:

A)use common sense and use mutual joints
B)use mutual joints and use exhaustive exclusions
C)use exhaustive exclusions and use a consistent principle
D)use a consistent principle and use essential attributes
E)use essential attributes and use common sense

Question 53

Below is a system for classifying shapes.Which item would have to be removed in order for it to employ a consistent principle? ROUND / PENTAGONAL / TRIANGULAR / HEXAGONAL / OCTAGONAL

A)ROUND
B)PENTAGONAL
C)TRIANGULAR
D)HEXAGONAL
E)OCTAGONAL

Question 54

Which concept is more concrete: PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP or MARRIAGE?

A)They are equally concrete.
B)Neither one is concrete at all.
C)PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP is more concrete.
D)MARRIAGE is more concrete.
E)It depends on whether or not each concept has referents.

Question 55

Which of the following systems of classification employs a consistent principle?

A)FISH: FRESHWATER / EDIBLE / GREEN
B)CLOTHES: WARM / SWIMWEAR / HATS / COATS
C)COLORS: BRIGHT / GREENS / PASTELS / SOOTHING
D)VEHICLES: FLYING / GROUND / AQUATIC / SUBMARINE
E)ROOMS: BEDROOMS / EMPTY / SQUARE / KITCHENS

Question 56

Can a concept ever be completely concrete?

A)Yes, but only if it is a genus.
B)Yes, but only if it is a species.
C)Yes, regardless of whether it is a genus or a species.
D)No, because concepts only exist in our minds.
E)No, because a concept is never a particular, individual object.

Question 57

If something is concrete, then it is:

A)a visible, touchable object
B)true and provable
C)an object that can be understood by everyone
D)an object made of cement
E)a single, individual object

Question 58

In which list below are the concepts arranged in order of INCREASING abstractness?

A)MANUFACTURED ITEM, CLOTHING, HAT, BALL CAP
B)CLOTHING, BALL CAP, HAT, MANUFACTURED ITEM
C)MANUFACTURED ITEM, HAT, BALL CAP, CLOTHING
D)HAT, BALL CAP, MANUFACTURED ITEM, CLOTHING
E)BALL CAP, HAT, CLOTHING, MANUFACTURED ITEM

Question 59

If concept 1 is more abstract than concept 2, then:

A)concept 1 will be more concrete than concept 2
B)concept 2 will be more concrete than concept 1
C)concepts 1 and 2 will be equally concrete
D)there is not enough information to determine which is more concrete
E)neither will be more concrete, since concepts cannot be concrete

Question 60

In which list below are the concepts arranged in order of INCREASING abstractness?

A)RHOMBUS, PARALLELOGRAM, QUADRILATERAL, GEOMETRIC FIGURE
B)QUADRILATERAL, PARALLELOGRAM, RHOMBUS, GEOMETRIC FIGURE
C)GEOMETRIC FIGURE, RHOMBUS, PARALLELOGRAM, QUADRILATERAL
D)GEOMETRIC FIGURE, QUADRILATERAL, PARALLELOGRAM, RHOMBUS
E)PARALLELOGRAM, RHOMBUS, GEOMETRIC FIGURE, QUADRILATERAL

Question 61

If the species in a classification system are not jointly exhaustive, can we fix the system by adding a species called "others"?

A)Yes, this is a good way to tie up the loose ends.
B)Yes, but this sort of solution should be avoided.
C)Yes, but only if the remaining referents are very similar to each other.
D)No, because then the species will not be mutually exclusive.
E)No, because this will put too many referents under a single species.

Question 62

Consider the following list of concepts: LETTUCE, ROOT VEGETABLES, CARROTS, EDIBLE PLANTS, PEAS, CORN.How many levels of organization would be required to organize these concepts?

A)one
B)two
C)three
D)four
E)five

Question 63

Essential attributes are properties that are:

A)jointly exhaustive
B)mutually exclusive
C)consistent or the same
D)understood and appreciated by everyone
E)fundamental or important

Question 64

Why aren't the species in this classification scheme mutually exclusive? REPTILES: MEAT EATERS / PLANT EATERS / INSECT EATERS / EGG EATERS

A)Some reptiles might eat more than one kind of thing.
B)It doesn't employ a consistent principle.
C)The species aren't jointly exhaustive.
D)It doesn't use an essential attribute.
E)There might be other kinds of reptiles.

Question 65

When we say that species must be mutually exclusive, we mean that:

A)they must not overlap
B)the species must cover all objects in the genus
C)each species is also a genus
D)each species overlaps with at least one other species
E)the species are based on essential attributes

Question 66

Classifying by consistent principle means that:

A)only one principle should ever be used
B)only one or two principles should ever be used
C)as many principles as possible should be used
D)no principles should be used
E)more than one principle may be used if necessary

Question 67

Which rule of classification is violated by the following system for classifying animals? INSECT / MAMMAL / FISH / BIRD

A)The species are not jointly exhaustive.
B)The species are not mutually exclusive.
C)There is/are no consistent principle(s).
D)The essential attributes are not considered.
E)No rule is violated.

Question 68

Is it possible to design a system of classification that has mutually exclusive species but doesn't use a consistent principle?

A)No, it is not possible.
B)Yes, but only if the species are also jointly exhaustive.
C)Yes, it is possible.
D)Yes, but then the species could not be jointly exhaustive.
E)No, because it wouldn't be based on essential attributes.

Question 69

When we say that species must be jointly exhaustive, we mean that:

A)they must not overlap
B)each species is also a genus
C)the species must cover all objects in the genus
D)each species overlaps with at least one other species
E)the species are based on essential attributes

Question 70

Suppose that a consistent principle has been used to divide a genus into three jointly exhaustive species.Might it be possible to divide the same genus into only two jointly exhaustive species by using a different consistent principle?

A)Yes, because a genus may be divided many different ways.
B)Yes, because every genus will neatly divide in half.
C)No, because there is only one consistent way to divide each genus.
D)No, because every consistent way of dividing a genus results in the same number of species.
E)It would depend on whether the number of referents is divisible by six.

Question 71

Suppose that we are organizing the following religious affiliations: BAPTIST, METHODIST, CATHOLIC, JEWISH.Which term should appear at the highest level of organization?

A)BAPTIST
B)METHODIST
C)CATHOLIC
D)JEWISH
E)RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION

Question 72

When concepts are properly organized, at the top level you will find:

A)the most concrete concept
B)the most abstract concept
C)one referent
D)a small number of species
E)a small number of referents

Question 73

When concepts are properly organized, at the bottom level, you will always find:

A)one referent
B)the most abstract terms
C)the most concrete terms
D)referents for every concept
E)leftover terms that did not fit any of the given concepts

Question 74

Consider the following list of concepts: LETTUCE, ROOT VEGETABLES, CARROTS, EDIBLE PLANTS, PEAS, CORN.If these terms were organized, what would be the highest concept?

A)ROOTS
B)STEMS
C)FOOD
D)EDIBLE PLANTS
E)SEEDS

Question 75

Suppose that items belonging to a genus have several essential attributes, but we only classify them according to one.Is it still possible for the species to be mutually exclusive and jointly exhaustive?

A)Yes, it is still possible.
B)Yes, but only if the referents are all very similar to each other.
C)No, the species would not be mutually exclusive.
D)No, the species would not be jointly exhaustive.
E)No, the species would not be mutually exclusive or jointly exhaustive.

Question 76

Which rule of classification is violated by the following system for classifying weapons? CAPABLE OF NONLETHAL DAMAGE / CAPABLE OF LETHAL DAMAGE

A)The species are not jointly exhaustive.
B)The species are not mutually exclusive.
C)There is/are no consistent principle(s).
D)The essential attributes are not considered.
E)No rule is violated.

Question 77

A good organizational scheme will have how many levels of organization?

A)It depends on the terms being organized.
B)As many levels as possible.
C)Two or three levels.
D)Three or four levels.
E)Four or five levels.

Question 78

For most jobs, which of the following would be an essential attribute for classifying applicants?

A)RACE
B)SEX
C)ABILITY
D)NATIONAL ORIGIN
E)PHYSICAL BEAUTY

Question 79

Which of the following classifications uses essential attributes?

A)BOOKS: RED / GREEN / ORANGE
B)PUZZLES: JIGSAW / CROSSWORD / MATHEMATIC
C)PLANTS: GOOD SMELLING / BAD SMELLING / NEUTRAL SMELLING
D)VEHICLES: SMOOTH / ROUGH / RUBBERY
E)LEGOS: BITTER / SWEET / SALTY

Question 80

In which of the following classification systems are the species jointly exhaustive?

A)APPLIANCES: HEATERS / AIR CONDITIONERS / REFRIGERATORS
B)MAGAZINES: FASHION / AUTOMOTIVE / HOBBY
C)TELEVISION PROGRAMS: REALITY / COMEDY / NEWS
D)CAMPING GEAR: TENTS / FLASHLIGHTS / SLEEPING BAGS
E)RELIGIONS: ATHEISTIC / MONOTHEISTIC / POLYTHEISTIC