Deck 7: Categorical Syllogisms

Question 1

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs.
All whales are mammals.
All whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs.

-What is the major term of the syllogism?

A)animals that breathe by means of lungs
B)lungs
C)means
D)mammals
E)whales

Answer 1

animals that breathe by means of lungs

Question 2

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: No drug legal in America is a hallucinogenic drug.
Some chemical compounds are hallucinogenic drugs.
Some chemical compounds are not drugs legal in America.

-What is the minor premise of the syllogism?

A)Some chemical compounds are hallucinogenic drugs.
B)There are no drugs legal in America.
C)No drug legal in America is a hallucinogenic drug.
D)Some chemical compounds are not drugs legal in America.
E)Chemical compounds are hallucinogenic.

Answer 2

Some chemical compounds are hallucinogenic drugs.

Question 3

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: No drug legal in America is a hallucinogenic drug.
Some chemical compounds are hallucinogenic drugs.
Some chemical compounds are not drugs legal in America.

-What is the figure of the syllogism?

A)1
B)2
C)3
D)4
E)5

Answer 3

2

Question 4

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All family-oriented television shows are shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not family-oriented television shows.

-What is the minor term of the syllogism?

A)family-oriented television show
B)animated television show
C)television show
D)show that can be aired during prime time
E)prime time

Question 5

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: No drug legal in America is a hallucinogenic drug.
Some chemical compounds are hallucinogenic drugs.
Some chemical compounds are not drugs legal in America.

-What is the minor term of the syllogism?

A)America
B)drug legal in America
C)chemical compound
D)hallucinogenic drug
E)drug

Question 6

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: No drug legal in America is a hallucinogenic drug.
Some chemical compounds are hallucinogenic drugs.
Some chemical compounds are not drugs legal in America.

-What is the mood of the syllogism?

A)OIE
B)EIO
C)AIO
D)EIE
E)AII

Question 7

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: No drug legal in America is a hallucinogenic drug.
Some chemical compounds are hallucinogenic drugs.
Some chemical compounds are not drugs legal in America.

-What is the major term of the syllogism?

A)America
B)drug legal in America
C)chemical compound
D)hallucinogenic drug
E)drug

Question 8

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All family-oriented television shows are shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not family-oriented television shows.

-What is the mood of the syllogism?

A)AEE
B)EIO
C)AOO
D)EIA
E)OEO

Question 9

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs.
All whales are mammals.
All whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs.

-What is the figure of the syllogism?

A)1
B)2
C)3
D)4
E)5

Question 10

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All family-oriented television shows are shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not family-oriented television shows.

-What is the middle term of the syllogism?

A)family-oriented television show
B)animated television show
C)television show
D)show that can be aired during prime time
E)prime time

Question 11

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs.
All whales are mammals.
All whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs.

-What is the minor premise of the syllogism?

A)All mammals are animals.
B)All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs.
C)All whales are mammals.
D)All whales are animals.
E)All whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs.

Question 12

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs.
All whales are mammals.
All whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs.

-What is the major premise of the syllogism?

A)All mammals are animals.
B)All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs.
C)All whales are mammals.
D)All whales are animals.
E)All whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs.

Question 13

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs.
All whales are mammals.
All whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs.

-What is the minor term of the syllogism?

A)animals that breathe by means of lungs
B)lungs
C)means
D)mammals
E)whales

Question 14

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All family-oriented television shows are shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not family-oriented television shows.

-What is the minor premise of the syllogism?

A)All family-oriented television shows are shows that can be aired during prime time.
B)Some television shows can be aired during prime time.
C)Some animated television shows are not family-oriented television shows.
D)Some animated television shows are not shows that can be aired during prime time.
E)Some television shows cannot be aired during prime time.

Question 15

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: No drug legal in America is a hallucinogenic drug.
Some chemical compounds are hallucinogenic drugs.
Some chemical compounds are not drugs legal in America.

-What is the middle term of the syllogism?

A)America
B)drug legal in America
C)chemical compound
D)hallucinogenic drug
E)drug

Question 16

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs.
All whales are mammals.
All whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs.

-What is the middle term of the syllogism?

A)animals that breathe by means of lungs
B)lungs
C)means
D)mammals
E)whales

Question 17

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: No drug legal in America is a hallucinogenic drug.
Some chemical compounds are hallucinogenic drugs.
Some chemical compounds are not drugs legal in America.

-What is the major premise of the syllogism?

A)Some chemical compounds are hallucinogenic drugs.
B)There are no drugs legal in America.
C)No drug legal in America is a hallucinogenic drug.
D)Some chemical compounds are not drugs legal in America.
E)Chemical compounds are hallucinogenic.

Question 18

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All family-oriented television shows are shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not family-oriented television shows.

-What is the major term of the syllogism?

A)family-oriented television show
B)animated television show
C)television show
D)show that can be aired during prime time
E)prime time

Question 19

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All mammals are animals that breathe by means of lungs.
All whales are mammals.
All whales are animals that breathe by means of lungs.

-What is the mood of the syllogism?

A)EIO
B)OEA
C)III
D)AAA
E)IOE

Question 20

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All family-oriented television shows are shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not family-oriented television shows.

-What is the major premise of the syllogism?

A)All family-oriented television shows are shows that can be aired during prime time.
B)Some television shows can be aired during prime time.
C)Some animated television shows are not family-oriented television shows.
D)Some animated television shows are not shows that can be aired during prime time.
E)Some television shows cannot be aired during prime time.

Question 21

Can a singular proposition be used in a categorical syllogism?

A)No, because the subject is not a concept, and therefore could not be a term.
B)No, because singular propositions are not truly categorical.
C)Yes, but only as a premise.
D)Yes, as either a premise or a conclusion.
E)Yes, but only as a conclusion.

Question 22

If we were given a list of three terms used in a categorical syllogism, and also the major premise, could we determine which is the major term, which is the minor term, and which is the middle term?

A)We could only determine which is the major term.
B)We could only determine which is the middle term.
C)We could only determine which is the minor term.
D)We could only determine which is the major term and which is the middle term.
E)We could determine which is which for all three terms.

Question 23

Every categorical proposition involves _____ distinct term(s).

A)one
B)two
C)three
D)six
E)eight

Question 24

The middle term is always the:

A)predicate of the conclusion
B)subject of the conclusion
C)first term to appear in the syllogism
D)subject of the major premise
E)term that appears in both premises, but not in the conclusion

Question 25

In a categorical syllogism, the premises are:

A)always independent
B)always dependent
C)sometimes independent, sometimes dependent
D)independent in traditional logic but dependent in modern logic
E)neither independent nor dependent

Question 26

If we were given a list of three terms used in a categorical syllogism, and also the conclusion, could we determine which is the major term, which is the minor term, and which is the middle term?

A)We could only determine which is the major term.
B)We could only determine which is the middle term.
C)We could only determine which is the minor term.
D)We could only determine which is the major term and which is the minor term.
E)We could determine which is which for all three terms.

Question 27

A categorical syllogism is a syllogism in which:

A)all propositions are categorical
B)at least one proposition is categorical
C)the conclusion is categorical (but the premises need not be)
D)the premises are categorical (but the conclusion need not be)
E)there are no categorical propositions

Question 28

Is it possible to form an argument from four different categorical propositions?

A)No, because only three propositions may be used in any categorical argument.
B)No, because there would have to be more than one middle term.
C)No, because there cannot be four different categorical propositions about the same set of terms.
D)Yes, but only if two of the propositions are conclusions.
E)Yes, but the argument would not be a syllogism.

Question 29

A syllogism is an argument with how many premises?

A)none
B)one
C)two
D)three
E)four or more

Question 30

Can two of the three terms in a categorical syllogism be identical?

A)No, because such a syllogism could not be valid.
B)No, because such a syllogism could not be sound.
C)Yes, but only if they are the major and minor terms.
D)Yes, but one of the propositions would either be false or trivially true.
E)Yes, but two of the propositions would have to be identical.

Question 31

A syllogism contains how many propositions?

A)none
B)one
C)two
D)three
E)four or more

Question 32

If we were given a list of three terms used in a categorical syllogism, but we are given no information about where they appear in the syllogism, could we determine which is the major term, which is the minor term, and which is the middle term?

A)Yes, because the major term will always be the most abstract of the three.
B)Yes, because the middle term will always be the one that shares some commonality with the other two.
C)Yes, because the minor term will always be the term with the smallest number of referents.
D)No, because we need to know all three propositions of the syllogism in order to determine which term is which.
E)No, because any of the terms could serve any of those roles.

Question 33

For the next group of questions, consider the following syllogism: All family-oriented television shows are shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not shows that can be aired during prime time.
Some animated television shows are not family-oriented television shows.

-What is the figure of the syllogism?

A)1
B)2
C)3
D)4
E)5

Question 34

If the two premises of a categorical syllogism do not share a middle term, then:

A)at least one of the premises must be false
B)both of the premises must be false
C)there will be two different middle terms
D)the conclusion must be particular
E)the two premises cannot be combined to reach a conclusion

Question 35

The major term is always the:

A)predicate of the conclusion
B)subject of the conclusion
C)first term to appear in the syllogism
D)subject of the major premise
E)predicate of the major premise

Question 36

Could a categorical syllogism have two conclusions?

A)No, because then it would not be a syllogism.
B)No, because then it would not be categorical.
C)No, because no argument of any kind can have two conclusions.
D)Yes, as long as there is only one premise.
E)Yes, as long as the two premises provide enough information to reach two conclusions.

Question 37

The minor term is always the:

A)predicate of the conclusion
B)subject of the conclusion
C)first term to appear in the syllogism
D)subject of the major premise
E)term that appears in both premises, but not in the conclusion

Question 38

Is every syllogism that contains categorical propositions a categorical syllogism?

A)Yes, as long as at least one proposition is categorical.
B)Yes, as long as at least one premise is categorical.
C)Yes, as long as both premises are categorical.
D)No, since the conclusion might not be universal.
E)No, since all three propositions must be categorical.

Question 39

Every categorical syllogism involves _____ distinct term(s).

A)one
B)two
C)three
D)six
E)eight

Question 40

How many times does each of the three terms appear in a categorical syllogism?

A)Twice.
B)The major and minor terms each appear twice, but the middle term appears three times.
C)The major and minor terms each appear three times, but the middle term appears twice.
D)It depends on the forms of the three propositions.
E)Usually, each appears twice, but if there are two middle terms, then each one appears only once.

Question 41

What is the form of the following syllogism? All of Shakespeare's dramas are plays written in blank verse.
Some of Shakespeare's dramas are great plays.
Some great plays are plays written in blank verse.

A)IIA-3
B)AII-1
C)AII-3
D)EOO-3
E)EOO-2

Question 42

The form of a categorical syllogism consists of:

A)two letters
B)three letters
C)two letters and a number
D)three letters and a number
E)a single number

Question 43

If we were given one proposition from a categorical syllogism and also the minor term, would that be enough information to determine whether the proposition is the major premise, minor premise, or conclusion?

A)It would only be enough to determine whether it is the minor premise.
B)It would only be enough to determine whether it is the major premise.
C)It would only be enough to determine whether it is the conclusion.
D)It would be enough to determine which of the three it is.
E)It would be enough to determine whether it is the minor premise or the conclusion, but not enough to determine whether it is the major premise.

Question 44

How many possible moods are there for categorical syllogisms?

A)2
B)4
C)12
D)64
E)256

Question 45

If the middle term is the predicate of the major premise but the subject of the minor premise, then the syllogism's figure is:

A)1
B)2
C)3
D)4
E)5

Question 46

The form of a categorical syllogism is a(n):

A)determination of whether the conclusion is true or false
B)estimation of how listeners will feel about the conclusion
C)list of the forms of its premises and conclusion
D)indication of where the middle term appears in the premises
E)identification of its mood and figure

Question 47

If the middle term is the subject of the major premise but the predicate of the minor premise, then the syllogism's figure is:

A)1
B)2
C)3
D)4
E)5

Question 48

Which of the following correctly describes the placement of terms in the propositions of a categorical syllogism?

A)All three terms appear in the premises and all three terms appear in the conclusion.
B)All three terms appear in the conclusion, but the middle term does not appear in the premises.
C)All three terms appear in the premises, but the middle term does not appear in the conclusion.
D)Two terms appear in the premises and two in the conclusion.
E)Each proposition introduces one term, so there are two in the premises and one in the conclusion.

Question 49

If the middle term is the subject of both the major and minor premises, then the syllogism's figure is:

A)1
B)2
C)3
D)4
E)5

Question 50

How many possible forms are there for categorical syllogisms?

A)2
B)4
C)12
D)64
E)256

Question 51

What is the form of the following syllogism? Some crimes against property are frauds.
All frauds are felonies.
Some felonies are crimes against property.

A)IAI-2
B)IAI-4
C)OAO-1
D)OAI-1
E)OEO-2

Question 52

What is the form of the following syllogism? All fish are animals.
All trout are fish.
All trout are animals.

A)AAA-3
B)EEE-3
C)EEE-1
D)AAA-1
E)III-1

Question 53

The mood of a categorical syllogism consists of:

A)two letters
B)three letters
C)two letters and a number
D)three letters and a number
E)a single number

Question 54

In standard form for a categorical syllogism, which premise appears first?

A)whichever is more important
B)the minor premise
C)the major premise
D)the one with the middle term in the subject position
E)The premises are in alphabetical order by form (A, E, I, or O).

Question 55

The minor premise of a categorical syllogism is always the:

A)premise that includes the minor term
B)premise that has the middle term as its subject
C)premise that has the middle term as its predicate
D)less important premise
E)premise that the speaker happens to state second

Question 56

The mood of a categorical syllogism is a(n):

A)determination of whether the conclusion is true or false
B)estimation of how listeners will feel about the conclusion
C)list of the forms of its premises and conclusion
D)indication of where the middle term appears in the premises
E)list of the subjects of the premises and conclusion

Question 57

The major premise of a categorical syllogism is always the:

A)premise the speaker happens to state first
B)more important premise
C)premise that has the middle term as its predicate
D)premise that has the middle term as its subject
E)premise that includes the major term

Question 58

If the middle term is the predicate of both the major and minor premises, then the syllogism's figure is:

A)1
B)2
C)3
D)4
E)5

Question 59

When naming the mood of a syllogism, the order:

A)must be major premise, minor premise, conclusion
B)must be minor premise, major premise, conclusion
C)must be conclusion, major premise, minor premise
D)must be conclusion, minor premise, major premise
E)does not matter

Question 60

If we are unconcerned with validity, can every mood be combined with every figure?

A)No, since figures 1 and 2 cannot be used with negative premises.
B)No, since figures 2 and 3 cannot be used with universal premises.
C)No, since figures 1 and 4 cannot be used with negative premises.
D)No, since figures 2 and 4 cannot be used with universal premises.
E)Yes.

Question 61

Can a valid argument have a false conclusion?

A)No, because then it wouldn't be valid.
B)No, because conclusions are never true or false.
C)Yes, because valid arguments can have true or false conclusions.
D)Yes, because valid arguments always have false conclusions.
E)Yes, but only if there are more than two premises.

Question 62

The figure of a categorical syllogism consists of:

A)two letters
B)three letters
C)two letters and a number
D)three letters and a number
E)a single number

Question 63

An argument is valid if:

A)the premises are true
B)the conclusion is true
C)the premises and conclusion are all true
D)most people would agree with the conclusion
E)it has a structure such that the truth of the premises would guarantee the truth of the conclusion

Question 64

Assuming the traditional view of existential import, how many categorical syllogism forms are valid?

A)24
B)35
C)70
D)150
E)All forms are valid.

Question 65

Which terms must appear in the unstated premise of the following argument? All days of the week are days that end in "y." Therefore, tomorrow is a day that ends in "y."

A)days of the week and days that end in "y"
B)tomorrow and days that end in "y"
C)tomorrow and days of the week
D)days of the week, days that end in "y," and tomorrow
E)There isn't enough information to be sure.

Question 66

The figure of a categorical syllogism is a(n):

A)determination of whether the conclusion is true or false
B)estimation of how listeners will feel about the conclusion
C)list of the forms of its premises and conclusion
D)indication of where the middle term appears in the premises
E)list of the subjects of the premises and conclusion

Question 67

Could there be such a thing as an invalid premise?

A)No, since validity is a property of arguments, not of propositions.
B)No, since every proposition by itself is considered to be valid.
C)Yes, since the premise might be such that no conclusion could ever validly follow from it.
D)Yes, since the premise might not be a properly formed categorical proposition.
E)Yes, since the premise might be irrelevant to the conclusion.

Question 68

How many possible figures are there for categorical syllogisms?

A)2
B)4
C)12
D)64
E)256

Question 69

If two categorical syllogisms have the same form, then:

A)one must be valid, and the other invalid
B)either both are valid or both are invalid
C)both are definitely valid
D)both are definitely invalid
E)the validity of one tells us nothing about the validity of the other

Question 70

What is the unstated conclusion in the following syllogism? Anyone who drives a car across the police department lawn is looking for trouble.That's what Mitch did last night.

A)Mitch is a police officer.
B)Mitch was arrested last night.
C)Mitch owns a car.
D)Mitch was looking for trouble.
E)Mitch has a driver's license.

Question 71

Which terms must appear in the unstated conclusion of the following argument? No episode of scripted television is an expensive show to produce.And every episode of Big Brother is scripted television.

A)episode and Big Brother
B)scripted television and expensive show to produce
C)episode of Big Brother and expensive show to produce
D)show to produce and Big Brother
E)There isn't enough information to be sure.

Question 72

Can an invalid argument have a true conclusion?

A)No, because then it would be valid.
B)No, because conclusions are never true or false.
C)Yes, because invalid arguments can have true or false conclusions.
D)Yes, because invalid arguments always have true conclusions.
E)Yes, but only if there are more than two premises.

Question 73

An enthymeme is a(n):

A)argument with only one premise
B)argument with more than two premises
C)argument in which the major term and middle term are identical
D)invalid syllogism with true premises
E)syllogism with an unstated premise or conclusion

Question 74

Which terms must appear in the unstated premise of the following argument? No pair of blue jeans is an item of clothing made of silk.Therefore some expensive items of clothing are not pairs of blue jeans.

A)items of clothing and expensive items of clothing
B)items of clothing and blue jeans
C)items of clothing made of silk and blue jeans
D)items of clothing made of silk and expensive items of clothing
E)There isn't enough information to be sure.

Question 75

What is the unstated premise in the following syllogism? Children are scared of monsters, so they are scared of werewolves.

A)Monsters are real.
B)Werewolves are real.
C)Werewolves are monsters.
D)Children are easily scared.
E)Monsters are scary.

Question 76

What is the unstated conclusion in the following syllogism? Nothing in this refrigerator is good to eat.And there are rotten avocados in this refrigerator.

A)These rotten avocados are not good to eat.
B)The avocados have been in the refrigerator for too long.
C)The avocados are old.
D)The refrigerator contains rotten items.
E)The refrigerator is nearly empty.

Question 77

Can a valid syllogism have false premises?

A)Yes, but the conclusion would also be false.
B)Yes, but they would both have to be false.
C)Yes, because valid arguments can have true or false premises.
D)No, since a false premise would render the syllogism invalid.
E)It could have one false premise, but not two.

Question 78

The validity of a syllogism is determined by its:

A)complexity
B)form
C)truth
D)popularity
E)clarity

Question 79

What is the unstated premise in the following syllogism? Jane's new car gets poor gas mileage because it has a V-8 engine.

A)Good gas mileage is important.
B)Any car with a V-8 engine gets poor mileage.
C)Jane's car is old.
D)Jane needs an engine replacement.
E)V-8 engines are outdated.

Question 80

What is the unstated conclusion in the following syllogism? Whoever stayed home had to take care of the dog, and I was the only one who stayed home.

A)Someone had to take care of the dog.
B)We have a dog.
C)Someone had to stay home.
D)I had to take care of the dog.
E)Everyone else went out.