Question 1

"My brother has a cat named Sully." This is

Accepted Answer

A)   a statement.
B)   not a statement. A

Question 2

If the following argument is an instance of one of the "famous" argument forms, name the form and indicate whether the form is valid or invalid; if the argument is NOT an instance of one of the "famous" forms, simply write "unnamed form."
If Wilma goes to college in California, then Fred will turn down the job in Florida. Fred turned down the job in Florida, so Wilma must be going to college in California.

Accepted Answer

Affirming the consequent-invalid

Question 3

"Davy Crockett was executed by Santa Ana." This is

Accepted Answer

A)   a statement.
B)   not a statement. A

Question 4

All uncogent arguments are weak.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

As understood by logicians, an argument is

Accepted Answer

A)   a set of statements, one of which is supported by the others.
B)   a verbal dispute between two or more people.
C)   a major contributing factor to the high rate of divorce in the United States.
D)   a sentence that is either true or false.

Question 6

Some arguments are false.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

A premise of an argument is

Accepted Answer

A)   a statement intended to provide support for another statement.
B)   an underlying assumption.
C)   the statement that is being affirmed on the basis of others.
D)   a word or phrase whose purpose is to persuade.

Question 8

Which of the following argument forms is not valid?

Accepted Answer

A)   modus tollens
B)   hypothetical syllogism
C)   affirming the consequent
D)   disjunctive syllogism

Question 9

If the following argument is an instance of one of the "famous" argument forms, name the form and indicate whether the form is valid or invalid; if the argument is NOT an instance of one of the "famous" forms, simply write "unnamed form."
Terrorists have legitimate grievances. And the grievances of terrorists should be addressed assuming that terrorists have legitimate ones. Therefore, the grievances of terrorists should be addressed.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the following argument is an instance...

Question 10

If the following argument is an instance of one of the "famous" argument forms, name the form and indicate whether the form is valid or invalid; if the argument is NOT an instance of one of the "famous" forms, simply write "unnamed form."
If states should run efficiently, then they should decrease the number of propositions on ballots. If states should promote direct democracy, then they should increase the number of propositions on ballots. Either states should not decrease the number of propositions on ballots or states should not increase the number of propositions on ballots. So, either states should not run efficiently or states should not promote direct democracy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the following argument is an instance...

Question 11

Identify the following as valid, invalid, strong, or weak: "If Pete passes the class, then so will Sharon. But, Pete didn't pass the class. ∴ Sharon did not pass the class."

Accepted Answer

A)   valid
B)   invalid
C)   strong
D)   weak

Question 12

The main feature of a valid argument is

Accepted Answer

A)   it is possible for the conclusion to be true.
B)   it is not necessary that if the premises are true, then the conclusion is true.
C)   it is necessary that if the premises are true, then the conclusion is true.
D)   it is not possible for the conclusion to be false.

Question 13

The fallacy of affirming the consequent has the following form:

Accepted Answer

A)   If A, then B; Not A; So, not B. B. If A, then B; Not B; So, not A.
C)   If A, then B; A; So, B.
D)   If A, then B; B; So, A.

Question 14

Identify the following as valid, invalid, strong, or weak: "Approximately 43 percent of pet owners in America own a dog. Ron is a pet owner, so he must have a dog."

Accepted Answer

A)   valid
B)   invalid
C)   strong
D)   weak

Question 15

"Let's go home now." This is

Accepted Answer

A)   a statement.
B)   not a statement.

Question 16

A counterexample proves that an argument form is invalid.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

A premises.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Use a counterexample to show that the following argument is invalid. (Remember, it is usually best to use terms-or statements-whose interrelations are well known.) "All neutron stars are things that produce intense gravity, and all neutron stars are extremely dense objects. Thus, all extremely dense objects are things that produce intense gravity."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Use a counterexample to show that the...

Question 19

"The moon is made of bleu cheese." This is

Accepted Answer

A)   a statement.
B)   not a statement.

Question 20

A conditional statement is the same thing as a hypothetical statement.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 1: Basic Concepts

"My brother has a cat named Sully." This is

"Davy Crockett was executed by Santa Ana." This is

All uncogent arguments are weak.

As understood by logicians, an argument is

Some arguments are false.

A premise of an argument is

Which of the following argument forms is not valid?

Identify the following as valid, invalid, strong, or weak: "If Pete passes the class, then so will Sharon. But, Pete didn't pass the class. ∴ Sharon did not pass the class."

The main feature of a valid argument is

The fallacy of affirming the consequent has the following form:

Identify the following as valid, invalid, strong, or weak: "Approximately 43 percent of pet owners in America own a dog. Ron is a pet owner, so he must have a dog."

"Let's go home now." This is

A counterexample proves that an argument form is invalid.

A premises.

"The moon is made of bleu cheese." This is

A conditional statement is the same thing as a hypothetical statement.