EC – III Introduction to Logical Reasoning and Critical Thinking

IMBA Semester III

MCQs
1. A bus company might want to give discounts to old people. But simply declaring that old
people can get discounts will lead to many disputes since it is not clear how old should
one be in order to be an old person. So one might define "old person" to mean any person
of age 65 or above. This is an example of
a. Reportive Definition
b. Stipulative definition
c. Precising definition
d. Persuasive definition
2. According to the text, critical thinking compliments
a. our prejudices
b. our emotions
c. peer pressure
d. our unconscious desire
3. Critical thinking concerns
a. determining the cause of our beliefs
b. pinpointing the psychological beliefs
c. determining the quality of our beliefs
d. assigning the practical impact of our beliefs
DIRECTIONS for the question:
Read the following information carefully and answer the questions given below:
i. There are five members of a family - Jayant, Kamal, Namita, Asha and Tanmay
ii. Their birthdays fall between January to May, with each member in one of these months.
iii. Each one likes one particular type of dessert for his/her birthday out of Bengali sweets,
Chocolates, Pastries, Ice-cream and Dry fruits.
iv. The one who likes Pastries is born in the month which is exactly middle in the months
given.
v. Asha does not like Ice-cream but brings Chocolates for Jayant in February.
vi. Tanmay, who loves Bengali sweets is born in the next month immediately after Namita.
vii. Namita does not like Dry fruits or Ice-cream.
4. What is the choice of Asha?

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 a. Pastries
b. Dry fruits
c. Bengali sweets
d. Cannot be determined
e. None of these
5. Which of the combination of month and item is true for Jayant?
a. March – Pastries
b. February – chocolates
c. February - Ice cream
d. Cannot be determined
e. None of these
6. What is the choice of Kamal?
a. ice-cream
b. Bengali sweets
c. Dry fruits
d. Cannot be determined
e. None of these
7. In which month was Kamal born?
a. January
b. May
c. January or May
d. Data inadequate
e. None of these
8. Karan will go to college or find a job, and get married. Translate in symbolic form.
a. (C ∨ J) • M
b. C ∨ (J • M)
c. C Λ (j V M)
d. None of these
9. Karan will go to college, or find a job and get married. Translate in symbolic form.
a. (C ∨ J) • M
b. C ∨ (J • M)
c. C Λ (j V M)
d. None of these

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10. The reasons given in support of statement are known as*
a. An argument
b. The conclusion
c. The premises
d. The complement
11. Kuckoo is a normally functioning bird, All normally functioning birds fly, therefore
Kuckoo flies.*
a. Inductive Argument
b. Deductive Argument
c. In-Valid and unsound argument
d. None of the above
Determine what the following diagram indicates
12.

a. Something is B but neither A nor C.

b. Something is B and A but not C
c. Something is A and C but not B
d. Something is both A and B and also C
13.

a. Something is B but neither A nor C.

b. Something is B and A but not C
c. Something exists that is neither A nor B nor C
d. Something is both A and B and also C
14.

a. Something is both A and B and also C

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 b. Something is A but not C
c. Something exists that is neither A nor B nor C
d. Nothing is A or B or C

15. First I washed the dishes and then I dried them.

a. It is an argument
b. It is not an argument
c. It is an argument and statement
d. None of the above
16. Define BACHELOR
a. Reportive Definition
b. Stipulative definition
c. Precising definition
d. Persuasive definition
17. ______are often contrasted with factual disputes, where disagreements have to do with
different opinions about facts and not meaning
a. Verbal disputes
b. Non verbal disputes
c. Irrelevant disputes
d. Arrogant disputes
18. The word critical in critical thinking refers to
a. A fault finding attitude
b. Attempts to win an argument
c. Using careful judgement or evaluation
d. A lack of respect for other people
19. A belief is worth accepting if...
a. We have good reasons for accepting it
b. It is consistent with our needs
c. It has not been proven wrong
d. It is accepted by our peers
20. Tweety is a healthy, normally functioning bird and since most healthy, normally
functioning birds fly, tweety _______flies. Make it an inductive argument by filling the
correct word
a. Probably
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 b. Obviously
c. Hardly
d. None of the above
21. A statement is...
a. A question or exclamation
b. An affirmation of prior beliefs
c. An assertion that something is or is not the case
d. An assertion that is neither true nor false
22. 4 straight lines are sufficient to make a square
a. Sufficient
b. Necessary
c. Both
d. None
23. Statements backed by good reasons are...
a. Worthy of strong acceptance
b. To be believed with certainty
c. Never false
d. Beyond all possible doubt
24. Hierarchy of learning was given by
a. Kootnz
b. Henry Fayol
c. Mc. Garland
d. Bloom theory
25. Which is not the characteristic of a critical thinker among the following?
a. They use logical skills in reasoning.
b. They refuse to recognize the limitations of his mind and consistently pursue
excellence.
c. They think independently and do not always succumb to peer pressure.
d. He upholds the standards of critical thinking.
26. When you encounter information, what should be kept in mind?
a. Is it current?
b. Is it complete?
c. Is it accurate?
d. All of the above
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27. Statements given in support of another statement are called
a. Conclusions
b. Premises
c. Arguments
d. Summaries
28. The statement that premises are intended to support is called
a. A related premise
b. An argument
c. A description
d. The conclusion
29. Words that frequently accompany arguments and signal that a premise or conclusion is
present is called
a. Inference words
b. Premise indicators
c. Indicator words
d. Equivalent words
30. Words that frequently accompany a premise is called
a. Inference words
b. Premise indicators
c. Indicator words
d. Equivalent words
31. Words that frequently accompany a conclusion is called
a. Inference words
b. Premise indicators
c. Indicator words
d. Conclusion indicators
32. A word that is not a premise indicator is
a. Therefore
b. As
c. Since
d. For
33. A word that is not a conclusion indicator is
a. So
b. Therefore
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 c. Since
d. Hence
34. What is the negation of ‘Triangles are not squares’?
a. Triangles are squares
b. Triangles are not circles
c. Triangles do not have four sides
d. Triangles have four sides
35. p: The dog rolls over on command.

q: The dog gets a treat.

For the combination p AND q, for which truth values of p and q is the combination true?

A. p: T
q: F
B. p: F
q: T
C. p: T
q: T
D. p: F
q: F
36. What is one advantage of critical thinking?
a. It is a process that helps us make only large, important decisions
b. It is a process that helps us make only small, unimportant decisions
c. It is a process that helps us create hidden issues, bias and
manipulation
d. It is a process that helps us reveal hidden issues, bias and
manipulation
37. What is the first step (of five) in the critical thinking process?

a. Gather information
b. Apply information
c. Formulate questions
d. Consider implications
38. How can critical thinking improve your chances of making better choices?

a. Critical thinking helps you pick the correct and best choice for all situations
b. Critical thinking helps you explore only your own perspective and no others

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 c. Critical thinking helps you examine information and make unreasonable
choices
d. Critical thinking provides you the tools to sift through complex information
logically
39. Either President Lincoln was assassinated, or he was killed in an accident.

President Lincoln was not killed in an accident.

Therefore, President Lincoln must have been assassinated.

a. The argument is invalid

b. The argument is unsound
c. The argument is both valid and sound
d. The argument is invalid but sound
40. Either Princess Diana was assassinated, or she was killed in an accident.

Princess Diana was not killed in an accident.

So Princess Diana must have been assassinated.

a. The argument is valid

b. The argument is sound

c. The argument is invalid

d. The argument is neither valid nor sound

41. It is February.

February is in the winter time.

So it must be snowing.

a. The argument is valid

b. The argument is sound

c. The argument is both valid and sound

d. The argument is neither valid nor sound

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42. A compound sentence is truth−functional if and only if:
a. the truth value of the compound sentence is determined by the truth values
of its component sentences
b. each of its component sentences is either true or false
c. the truth values of the component sentences are determined by the truth values
of the compound
d. none of these
43. An argument intended to provide logically conclusive support for its conclusion is…
a. Inductive
b. Valid
c. Deductive
d. Sound

44. An inductive argument that succeeds in providing probable, but not conclusive, logical
support for its conclusion is said to be…

a. Inductive
b. Cogent
c. Weak
d. Strong

45. A deductively valid argument cannot have…

a. True premises and a false conclusion

b. False premises and a true conclusion
c. True premises and a true conclusion
d. False premises and a false conclusion

46. The first step in investigating possible implicit premises is to…

a. Search for a credible premise that would make the argument as strong as
possible
b. Rewrite the argument
c. Search for a credible premise that would make the argument valid
d. Make a bad argument good

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47. Modus ponens has this argument pattern…

a. If p, then q. q. Therefore, p.
b. If p, then q. If q, then r. Therefore, if p, then r.
c. Either p or q. Not p. Therefore, q.
d. If p, then q. p. Therefore, q.

48. An independent premise offers support to a conclusion…

a. With the help of another premise

b. Without the help of any other premises
c. With implied premises
d. Without implied premises

49. The invalid argument form known as affirming the consequent has this pattern:

a. If p, then q. Not p. Therefore, not q.

b. Either p or q. Not p. Therefore, q.
c. If p, then q. p. Therefore, q.
d. If p, then q. q. Therefore, p.

50. The invalid argument form known as denying the antecedent has this pattern:

a. If p, then q. p. Therefore, q.
b. If p, then q. q. Therefore, p.
c. If p, then q. Not p. Therefore, not q.
d. If p, then q. If q, then r. Therefore, if p, then r.

51. A deductively valid argument with true premises is said to be…

a. Strong
b. Weak
c. Sound
d. Probable

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52. A valid argument is such that if its premises are true…

a. Its conclusion must be true

b. Its conclusion must be false
c. Its conclusion is neither true nor false
d. Its structure must be valid

53. An argument with this structure—If p, then q; If q, then r; therefore if p, then r—is
called…

a. Denying the antecedent

b. Affirming the consequent
c. Modus tollens
d. Hypothetical syllogism

54. Which of the following diagrams indicates the best relation between Travelers, Train and
Bus ?

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55. Which of the following diagrams indicates the best relation between Women, Mothers
and Engineers?

56. Which of the following diagrams indicates the best relation between Pigeon, Bird and
Dog ?

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57. How is the categorical statement Universal Affirmative written as

a. All S are P
b. No S are P
c. Some S are P
d. Some S are not P

58. How is the categorical statement Particular Negative written as

a. All S are P
b. No S are P
c. Some S are P
d. Some S are not P

59. How is the categorical statement Universal Negative written as

a. All S are P
b. No S are P
c. Some S are P
d. Some S are not P
60. How is the categorical statement Particular Affirmative written as

a. All S are P
b. No S are P
c. Some S are P
d. Some S are not P

61. Fallacies can be psychologically persuasive even though they are...

a. Psychologically impotent
b. Logically flawed
c. Deductively valid
d. Inductively valid

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62. The fallacy of Ad Hominem is rejecting a claim by...

a. Using rhetoric
b. Making false statements
c. Ignoring the person
d. Criticizing the person who makes it

63. A slippery-slope pattern of argument is fallacious when...

a. It is hypothetical
b. There is good reason to think that doing one action will inevitably lead to
another undesirable action
c. There are only two possible results
d. There is no good reason to think that doing one action will inevitably lead
to another undesirable action

64. Arguing that what is true of the parts must be true of the whole is the fallacy of...

a. Division
b. Composition
c. Ad Hominem
d. Appeal to ignorance

65. The use of a word in two different senses in an argument is the fallacy of...

a. Ad Hominem
b. Equivocation
c. Appeal to tradition
d. Appeal to emotion

66. Rejecting a claim by criticizing the person who makes it rather than the claim itself is
known as the fallacy of...
a. Division
b. Appeal to emotion
c. Composition
d. Ad Hominem

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67. Arguing that a claim must be true merely because a substantial number of people believe
it is called the fallacy of...

a. Tu quoque
b. Composition
c. Appeal to the masses
d. Appeal to reason

68. Identify the fallacy: I have been absent -grandmother died-stroke two years ago
a. Ad Misericordiam
b. Ad Populum
c. Ad Hominem
d. Appeal to Authority

69. Identify the fallacy: He is just a psychology teacher at a community college

a. Ad Misericordiam
b. Ad Populum
c. Ad Hominem
d. Genetic Fallacy
70. Identify the fallacy: One cigarette will lead youth to addiction
a. Slippery slope
b. Ad Populum
c. Ad Hominem
d. Genetic Fallacy
71. Translate in formal language: Either it will not rain on Monday or it will not rain on
Tuesday. (M = It will rain on Monday, T = It will rain on Tuesday)
a. ~M v ~T
b. MvT
c. M•T
d. McT
72. Bob would like to have both a large cat and a small dog as a pet. (C = Bob would like to
have a large cat as a pet; D = Bob would like to have a small dog as a pet)

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 a. CvD
b. ~Cv~D
c. C•D
d. ~C•D
73. Tom does not know how to swim or how to ride a horse. (S, H)
a. S•H
b. ~S v ~H
c. SvH
d. (S •H)
74. Children should be seen, but not heard. (S, H)
a. S •H
b. SvH
c. ~S v ~H
d. S • ~H
75. Next year, Steve will be living in either Boulder or Flagstaff, but not Phoenix or Denver.
(B, F, P, D)
a. (B v F) • ~(P v D)
b. (B •F) v ~(P • D)
c. (B v F) • (P• D)
d. B v (F •P•D)

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