Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

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 2

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

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 5

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

Accepted Answer

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 6

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 7

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?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 9

The relationship of SHAKESPEAREAN PLAY to Romeo and Juliet is:

Accepted Answer

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

Question 10

Items on the same level of organization should:

Accepted Answer

A) all be referents 
B) all be as abstract as possible 
C) all be equally abstract 
D) all be as concrete as possible 
E) all belong to the same genus

Question 11

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 12

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?

Accepted Answer

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 13

Could a species belong to more than one genus?

Accepted Answer

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 14

Consider the following organizational scheme.Which concept best fits the blank?

Accepted Answer

A) DUCKS 
B) CATTLE 
C) REPTILES 
D) BIRDS 
E) SMALL ANIMALS

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

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 16

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

Accepted Answer

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 17

In classification, "abstract" means:

Accepted Answer

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 18

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

Can a system of classification violate more than one rule?

Accepted Answer

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 20

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

Accepted Answer

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

Exam 1: Classification