Chapter 01 - Introduction to Critical Thinking

Chapter 01
Introduction to Critical Thinking

True / False Questions

1. When we use the word "critical" in reference to critical thinking, we mean "negative and
fault-finding."
FALSE

2. Wishful thinking is the tendency to accept and defend beliefs that accord with one's own
self-interest.
FALSE

3. Stereotypes are generalizations about a group of people in which identical characteristics

are assigned to all or virtually all members of the group, often without regard to whether such
attributions are accurate.
TRUE

4. One common form of sociocentrism is group bias.

TRUE

5. A person is guilty of practical inconsistency when he or she is hypocritical or fails to

practice what he or she preaches.
TRUE

6. College tends to emphasizes higher-order thinking.

TRUE

1-1
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 01 - Introduction to Critical Thinking

7. One form of egocentrism is the superiority bias.

TRUE

8. Precision is an important critical thinking standard.

TRUE

9. One important critical thinking disposition is intellectual humility.

TRUE

10. Egocentrism is group-centered thinking.

FALSE

11. Group bias is a form of egocentrism.

FALSE

12. Conformism is the tendency to see one's culture or group as being better than others.
FALSE

13. Unwarranted assumptions are things we take for granted without good reason.
TRUE

14. Relativistic thinking is based on the idea that there is no objective or absolute truth
because truth is simply a matter of opinion.
TRUE

1-2
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 01 - Introduction to Critical Thinking

15. Logical inconsistency involves saying or believing two or more statements that cannot all
be true.
TRUE

16. Logical correctness is a matter of drawing well-founded conclusions from a set of beliefs.
TRUE

17. Thinking is "fair" when it is open-minded, impartial, and free of distorting biases and
preconceptions.
TRUE

18. Clarity is the same thing as precision.

FALSE

19. Relativism can lead to conflicting moral duties.

TRUE

20. Self-interested thinking is the tendency to see one's own group (nation, tribe, sect, peer
groups, etc.) as being inherently better than others.
FALSE

21. The superiority bias is the tendency to overrate oneself, to see oneself as better in some
respect than one actually is.
TRUE

22. Egocentrism is the tendency to see reality as centered on oneself.

TRUE

1-3
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 01 - Introduction to Critical Thinking

23. An assumption is something we take for granted, something we accept as true without any
proof or conclusive evidence.
TRUE

24. Subjectivism is the view that truth is a matter of social or cultural opinion.
FALSE

25. Relativism rules out the idea of moral progress.

TRUE

Multiple Choice Questions

26. ________ is the general term given to a wide range of cognitive skills and intellectual
dispositions needed to effectively identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments and truth claims,
to discover and overcome personal preconceptions and biases, to formulate and present
convincing reasons in support of conclusions, and to make reasonable, intelligent decisions
about what to believe and what to do.
A. logic
B. critical thinking
C. rationality
D. intelligence

27. Which of the following critical thinking hindrances is not discussed in detail in this
chapter?
A. prejudice
B. egocentrism
C. sociocentrism
D. wishful thinking

1-4
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 01 - Introduction to Critical Thinking

28. Conformism is a form of:

A. rationalization
B. sociocentrism
C. provincialism
D. short-term thinking

29. Self-interested thinking is a form of:

A. emotive thinking
B. short-term thinking
C. sociocentrism
D. egocentrism

30. The researcher who used (apparent) electrical shocks to demonstrate the power of
conformism was:
A. Jean Piaget
B. Stanley Milgram
C. Solomon Asch
D. Abraham Maslow

31. Critical thinking is marked by:

A. clarity
B. completeness
C. consistency
D. all of the above

32. A course in critical thinking can improve students' ability to:

A. understand course materials
B. critically evaluate course materials
C. argue effectively for their own views on course topics
D. all of the above

1-5
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 01 - Introduction to Critical Thinking

33. _______ is group-centered thinking.

A. egocentrism
B. sociocentrism
C. group bias
D. the herd instinct

34. _______ is the tendency to overrate oneself.

A. the superiority bias
B. egocentrism
C. sociocentrism
D. vanity

35. _______ is the tendency to conform, often unthinkingly, to authority or to group standards
of conduct and belief.
A. authoritarianism
B. the lemming instinct
C. sociocentrism
D. conformism

36. The classic 1950s experiment in which students were asked to match a standard line with
three comparison lines in order to test the power of peer pressure was conducted by:
A. Sigmund Freud
B. Stanley Milgram
C. B. F. Skinner
D. Solomon Asch

37. _______ are generalizations about a group of people in which identical characteristics are
assigned to all or virtually all members of the group, often without regard to whether such
attributions are accurate.
A. stereotypes
B. biases
C. assumptions
D. none of the above

1-6
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 01 - Introduction to Critical Thinking

38. _______ is the view that truth is a matter of individual opinion.

A. relativism
B. subjectivism
C. emotivism
D. individualism

39. _______ is the view that truth is a matter of social or cultural opinion.
A. cultural relativism
B. subjectivism
C. nonabsolutism
D. majoritarianism

40. _______ is the view that what is morally right or good for an individual is whatever that
person believes is morally right and good.
A. conventionalism
B. moral anti-realism
C. moral subjectivism
D. preferentialism

41. Relativism
A. makes it impossible for us to correctly criticize other cultures' customs and values
B. makes it impossible for us to correctly criticize our own societies' customs and values
C. can lead to conflicting moral duties
D. all of the above

42. The fact that there is deep disagreement about ethical issues shows that:
A. there is no objective truth in ethics
B. ethics is just a matter of opinion
C. there is no right or wrong
D. none of the above

1-7
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 01 - Introduction to Critical Thinking

43. Which of the following barriers to critical thinking is highlighted in Chapter 1?

A. selective memory
B. wishful thinking
C. provincialism
D. the availability bias

44. The following is an example of _______. "This generous pension package benefits me;
therefore it's good."
A. sociocentric thinking
B. self-interested thinking
C. group bias
D. the superiority bias

45. Uncritical thinkers tend to:

A. be close-minded and resist criticisms of beliefs and assumptions
B. think illogically and draw unsupported conclusions from evidence and data
C. base beliefs on mere personal preference or self-interest
D. all of the above

1-8
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

Chapter 02
Recognizing Arguments

True / False Questions

1. All statements are sentences and all sentences are statements.

FALSE

2. Rhetorical questions are statements.

TRUE

3. A single grammatical sentence may be used to express more than one statement.
TRUE

4. Commands are statements.

FALSE

5. Ought imperatives are statements.

TRUE

6. A statement can sometime be expressed as a phrase or an incomplete clause, rather than as

a complete declarative sentence.
TRUE

7. "What time is it?" is an example of a statement.

FALSE

2-1
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

8. There are two statements in the sentence "Roses are red and violets are blue."
TRUE

9. An argument is a claim put forward and defended with reasons.

TRUE

10. Premises are statements that are claimed to provide evidence for another statement, the
conclusion.
TRUE

11. The conclusion of an argument always occurs at the end of the argument.
FALSE

12. Indicator words are words or phrases that provide clues when premises or conclusions are
being offered.
TRUE

13. Since, because, and thus are common premise indicators.

TRUE

14. "That is why," "which shows that," and "for this reason" are common conclusion
indicators.
TRUE

15. In the statement "I haven't been to Disney World since I was a kid," the word since
functions as a premise indicator.
FALSE

2-2
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

16. Many arguments do not contain any indicator words.

TRUE

17. If the statement that a passage seeks to prove or explain is a matter of common
knowledge, then the passage is probably an explanation rather than an argument.
TRUE

18. The following passage is an example of an argument: "If Senator Brooks is only thirty
years old, then he's not eligible to be president of the United States."
FALSE

19. The following passage is an argument: "It is not true that no presidents were born west of
the Rocky Mountains. Richard Nixon, for example, was born in California."
TRUE

20. In an explanation, the statement that does the explaining is called the explanans.
TRUE

21. The following sentence is a statement: "How unfair!"

TRUE

22. The following sentence is a statement: "Marijuana should be legalized."

TRUE

23. The following sentence is a statement: "Who let the dogs out?"
FALSE

2-3
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

24. The following sentence is a statement: "Text me if you have trouble downloading the
file."
FALSE

25. The following sentence is a statement: "I'd rather be in Philadelphia."

TRUE

26. Every argument consists of at least two statements.

TRUE

27. The following passage contains an ought imperative: "Do not drive while taking this
medication. Extreme drowsiness may result."
TRUE

28. The following passage contains an ought imperative: "Put away your books and notes.
This is a closed-book exam." (said by a teacher)
FALSE

29. The following sentence is a conditional statement: "If it's past 8:00, then the store is
closed."
TRUE

30. In a conditional statement, the phrase that follows the word "then" is known as the
antecedent.
FALSE

2-4
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

31. The following sentence is an argument: "My computer crashed because I spilled coffee on
it."
FALSE

32. The following passage contains an argument: "My wife's towel is wet. Therefore, she
must have already taken her shower this morning."
TRUE

33. The following sentence is an argument: "The dog is barking because the ice cream truck is
coming."
FALSE

34. The following sentence is an argument: "Young children should not be permitted to go
snowboarding, because it is too dangerous."
TRUE

35. The following sentence is an argument: "Flight 336 to Rome will be delayed due to late
arrival of the aircraft."
TRUE

36. The following sentence is an argument: "Experts in any field learn new things faster than
novices do, because their rich, highly accessible background knowledge gives them a greater
variety of means for capturing the new ideas." (E. D. Hirsch, Jr., The Schools We Deserve--
And Why We Don't Have Them)
FALSE

37. The following sentence is an argument: "No money spent on a good book can ever be
wasted: somehow, sometime, somewhere that book will be read, if not by you, then by your
children or your friends." (Clifton Fadiman, The Lifetime Reading Plan)
TRUE

2-5
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

38. The following sentence is an argument: "Since the world of tomorrow will be run by the
children of today, it is vital that we encourage young people to be concerned about the future
and instill in them the idea that they can help shape that future according to their own goals
and aspirations." (Howard Ozmon and Samuel Craver, Philosophical Foundations of
Education)
TRUE

39. The following sentence is an argument: "Washington is nicknamed "The Evergreen State"
because it sounds better than ‘The Incessant Nagging Drizzle State.'" (Dave Barry, Dave
Barry's Only Travel Guide You'll Ever Need)
FALSE

40. The following passage is an illustration rather than an argument: It's false that there are no
mountain peaks higher than 6,000 feet east of the Rocky Mountains. Mount Mitchell, for
example, in North Carolina, has an elevation of 6,684 feet.
FALSE

Multiple Choice Questions

41. Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed. (Bertrand Russell,
Autobiography)
A. nonargument; explanation
B. nonargument; unsupported assertion
C. argument; conclusion: Never try to discourage thinking.
D. argument; conclusion: You are sure to succeed.

42. Because Mars is farther from the Sun than is the Earth, its temperatures are considerably
lower. (Carl Sagan, Cosmos)
A. nonargument; report
B. argument; conclusion: Mars is farther from the Sun than is the earth.
C. nonargument; explanation
D. argument; conclusion: Its temperatures are considerably lower.

2-6
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

43. If you have a well-established theory which says that change does not occur in the
heavenly regions (regions of the sky more distant from the Earth than the moon), you will
rightly discount reports of observers on a particular occasion who claim to have observed a
new star to appear where there was no star before, or to have observed a comet pass through
those regions (as opposed to being a mere sublunary phenomenon). (Richard Swinburne,
Revelation: From Metaphor to Analogy)
A. nonargument; conditional statement
B. nonargument; illustration
C. argument; conclusion: You will rightly discount reports of observers on a particular
occasion who claim to have observed a new star to appear where there was no star before, or
to have observed a comet pass through those regions (as opposed to being a mere sublunary
phenomenon)
D. nonargument; unsupported assertion.

44. Official world table tennis championships were first held in 1926 under the auspices of the
International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF; founded in 1926). Women's doubles
competition was added in 1929 and women's team competition in 1934. In 1980 the ITTF first
sponsored a men's World Cup competition for the top 16 ranking players; it has been held
annually since then. ("Sporting Record: Table Tennis," The New Encyclopaedia Britannica,
15th ed.)
A. nonargument; explanation
B. nonargument; report
C. nonargument; unsupported assertion
D. argument; conclusion: It has been held annually since then.

45. I believe in the United States of America as a Government of the people, by the people,
for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed; a democracy
in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect Union one and
inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice and humanity for
which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes. (William Tyler Page, "The
American's Creed," quoted in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 12th ed.)
A. nonargument; illustration
B. nonargument; conditional statement
C. nonargument; report
D. nonargument; unsupported assertion

2-7
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

46. When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an
unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle. (Edmund Burke, "Thoughts on the Cause of the
Present Discontents")
A. nonargument; explanation
B. nonargument; unsupported assertion
C. argument; conclusion: Else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a
contemptible struggle.
D. argument; conclusion: When bad men combine, the good must associate.

47. Although it is high time to deal with agriculture's contribution to water pollution, the
damage is very uneven in scope and severity; it tends to occur where farming is extensive and
fresh water resources are vulnerable. Thus, blanket regulations would be unwise. (David E.
Ervin, "Shaping a Smarter Environmental Policy for Farming")
A. argument; conclusion: Blanket regulations would be unwise.
B. argument; conclusion: It tends to occur where farming is extensive and fresh water
resources are vulnerable.
C. nonargument; illustration
D. nonargument; explanation

48. Since 1950, almost every top publishing house in the United States has been issuing books
that its editors know to be occult garbage. Why? The answer is obvious. Like worthless diet
books, they make lots of money. (Martin Gardner, The New Age: Notes of a Fringe Watcher)
A. argument; conclusion: Since 1950, almost every top publishing house in the United States
has been issuing books that its editors know to be occult garbage.
B. nonargument; explanation
C. nonargument; report
D. argument; conclusion: Like worthless diet books, they make lots of money.

2-8
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

49. This is for the lady who says she wants to vote for the opposite person who is not
supported by pharmaceutical companies. Republicans support big business. Pharmaceutical
companies are very, very big business. You want to vote against them? Vote Democratic.
(From a newspaper call-in column)
A. nonargument; unsupported assertion
B. argument; conclusion: Republicans support big business.
C. argument; conclusion: If you want to vote against candidates who are not supported by the
pharmaceutical companies, vote Democratic.
D. argument; conclusion: Pharmaceutical companies are very, very big business.

50. About a century and a half ago Matthew Arnold found in the withdrawing ocean tide a
metaphor for the retreat of religious faith, and heard in the water's sound "the note of
sadness." It would be wonderful to find in the laws of nature a plan prepared by a concerned
creator in which human beings played some special role. I find sadness in doubting that we
will. (Steven Weinberg, Dreams of a Final Theory)
A. nonargument; unsupported assertion
B. argument; conclusion: I find sadness in doubting that we will.
C. argument; conclusion: It would be wonderful to find in the laws of nature a plan prepared
by a concerned creator in which human beings played some special role.
D. nonargument; explanation

51. Life can throw us some curves at times that are not always easy to handle. We can often
feel lost, uncertain and upset. With so much to do and think about, we may become confused;
not sure how to feel or what to do with our feelings. A natural reaction to stress,
disappointment and losses in our lives is to feel down. But it's important to know that when
these feelings are severe or continue for a long time, you may be experiencing depression--a
disorder that requires professional help. (First Priority Health Brochure)
A. argument; conclusion: Life can throw us some curves at times that are not always easy to
handle.
B. nonargument; report or unsupported assertion
C. argument; conclusion: But it's important to know that when these feelings are severe or
continue for a long time, you may be experiencing depression--a disorder that requires
professional help.
D. nonargument; illustration

2-9
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

52. Dictators win the loyalty of their people because people are anxious to have someone and
something in which to believe and to whom they can give loyalty. (Peter J. Gomes, The Good
Book)
A. nonargument; report
B. argument; conclusion: Dictators win the loyalty of their people.
C. nonargument; unsupported assertion
D. nonargument; explanation

53. In a thoroughly naturalistic universe, it would be hard to see how any of our gestures
toward meaning could be efficacious in any way at all. For this reason, the debate about the
existence of God is never just an intellectual controversy. (Tom Morris, Philosophy for
Dummies)
A. argument; conclusion: In a thoroughly naturalistic universe, it would be hard to see how
any of our gestures toward meaning could be efficacious in any way at all.
B. nonargument; explanation
C. argument; conclusion: The debate about the existence of God is never just an intellectual
controversy.
D. nonargument; conditional statement

54. This is for the person who wrote in the SAYSO column that George Bush is a breath of
fresh air. I think he is an airhead. (From a newspaper call-in column)
A. nonargument; unsupported assertion
B. nonargument; explanation
C. nonargument; report
D. argument; conclusion: I think he is an airhead.

55. To make sense of complex issues, you need to have thought critically and reasoned
analytically about them, before reaching a well-supported conclusion. (John Chaffee, The
Thinker's Way)
A. argument; conclusion: You need to have thought critically and reasoned analytically about
them.
B. argument; conclusion: Before reaching a well-supported conclusion.
C. nonargument; unsupported assertion
D. nonargument; explanation

2-10
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

56. We have five fingers because we are descended from a Devonian fish that had five
phalanges or bones in its fins. (Carl Sagan, Cosmos)
A. nonargument; unsupported assertion
B. argument; conclusion: We have five fingers.
C. nonargument; explanation
D. argument; conclusion: We are descended from a Devonian fish that had five phalanges or
bones in its fins.

57. There can be no defense of eating flesh in terms of satisfying nutritional needs, since it has
been established beyond doubt that we could satisfy our need for protein and other essential
nutrients far more efficiently with a diet that replaced animal flesh by soy beans, or products
derived from soy beans, and other high-protein vegetable products. (Peter Singer, Animal
Liberation)
A. nonargument; explanation
B. argument; conclusion: It has been established beyond doubt that we could satisfy our need
for protein and other essential nutrients far more efficiently with a diet that replaced animal
flesh by soy beans, or products derived from soy beans, and other high-protein vegetable
products.
C. argument; conclusion: There can be no defense of eating flesh in terms of satisfying
nutritional needs.
D. nonargument; unsupported assertion

58. If moms would stay home and be moms the way they're supposed to be instead of trying
to act like men, we wouldn't have the trouble we're having with our children today. (From a
newspaper call-in column)
A. argument; conclusion: Moms should stay home and be moms the way they're supposed to
be instead of trying to act like men.
B. nonargument; conditional statement
C. nonargument; unsupported assertion
D. argument; conclusion: We wouldn't have the trouble we're having with our children today.

2-11
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

59. Astrology is having a resurgence not only because of mystical trends that ebb and flow
over the years, but also because of the superabundance of astrological material easily
accessible everywhere. (J.V. Stewart, Astrology: What's Really in the Stars?)
A. nonargument; report
B. argument; conclusion: There is a superabundance of astrological material everywhere.
C. argument; conclusion: Astrology is having a resurgence.
D. nonargument; explanation

60. Be not afraid because some time thou must cease to live, but fear to have begun truly to
live. (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations)
A. nonargument; explanation
B. nonargument; unsupported assertion
C. argument; conclusion: Fear to have begun truly to live.
D. argument; conclusion: Be not afraid because some time thou must cease to live.

61. Simple distinctions come all too easily. Frequently we open the way for later puzzlement
by restricting the options we take to be available. So, for example, in contrasting science and
religion, we often operate with a simple pair of categories. On one side there is science, proof,
and certainty; on the other, religion, conjecture, and faith. (Philip Kitcher, Abusing Science:
The Case Against Creationism)
A. nonargument; conditional statement
B. argument; conclusion: For example, in contrasting science and religion, we often operate
with a simple pair of categories.
C. argument; conclusion: Simple distinctions come all too easily.
D. nonargument; illustration

2-12
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

62. [H]e that makes use of the light and faculties God has given him and seeks sincerely to
discover truths by those helps and abilities he has, may have this satisfaction in doing his duty
as a rational creature, that, though he should miss truth, he will not miss the reward of it. For
he governs his assent right, and places it as he should, who, in any case or matter whatsoever,
believes or disbelieves, according as his reason directs him. (John Locke, An Essay
Concerning Human Understanding)
A. nonargument; conditional statement
B. nonargument; unsupported assertion
C. nonargument; explanation
D. argument; conclusion: He that makes use of the light and faculties God has given him and
seeks sincerely to discover truths by those helps and abilities he has, may have this
satisfaction in doing his duty as a rational creature, that, though he should miss truth, he will
not miss the reward of it.

63. [W]ithout really knowing it, many students inwardly believe that it is possible to acquire
knowledge without thought, that it is possible to read without exerting any intellectual energy,
and that good writing is not a product of practice and hard work but of a talent one is born
with. As a result, they are not inclined to take any responsibility for their own learning or to
put any effort into learning new modes of thinking. (Foundation for Critical Thinking, Critical
Thinking: Basic Theory and Instructional Structures)
A. nonargument; explanation
B. argument; conclusion: They are not inclined to take any responsibility for their own
learning or to put any effort into learning new modes of thinking.
C. nonargument; report
D. nonargument; unsupported assertion

64. We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our
historical epoch, the country of our birth, or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing.
We do not, most of us, choose to die, nor do we choose the time or conditions of our death.
But within all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we shall live: courageously or
in cowardice, honorably or dishonorably, with purpose or in drift. (Joseph Epstein, Ambition:
The Secret Passion)
A. argument; conclusion: Within all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose how we shall
live: courageously or in cowardice, honorably or dishonorably, with purpose or in drift.
B. nonargument; explanation
C. nonargument; unsupported assertion
D. nonargument; conditional statement

2-13
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

65. I would like to voice my opinion on what pet shops should sell. Cats, dogs, birds, fish are
OK, but rodents, reptiles should not be caged and should remain in their own environment. I
think that they should do something to stop them from profiting on these creatures. (From a
newspaper call-in column)
A. nonargument; explanation
B. argument; conclusion: They should do something to stop them from profiting on these
creatures.
C. nonargument; unsupported assertion
D. argument; conclusion: Cats, dogs, birds, fish are OK, but rodents, reptiles should not be
caged and should remain in their own environment.

66. The heavily cratered lunar highlands speak to us of an early epoch in the history of the
solar system when cratering was much more common than it is today; the present population
of interplanetary debris fails by a large factor to account for the abundance of the highland
craters. (Carl Sagan, Broca's Brain: Reflections on the Romance of Science)
A. argument; conclusion: The heavily cratered lunar highlands speak to us of an early epoch
in the history of the solar system when cratering was much more common than it is today.
B. argument; conclusion: The present population of interplanetary debris fails by a large
factor to account for the abundance of the highland craters.
C. nonargument; report
D. nonargument; explanation

67. Let's get this straight now. Guns, evil. Abortion, good. Restrictions on gun ownership.
Federal protection of abortion clinics and abortionists. Register your guns, but you don't have
to tell your parents or the father you're having an abortion. A relative handful of kids
tragically get killed because a few people went beserk or played with their daddy's gun; but
thousands of kids are killed every year by abortion. Guns evil? Abortion good? There is
something really, really wrong going on here. (From a newspaper call-in column)
A. nonargument; unsupported assertion
B. nonargument; conditional statement
C. argument; conclusion: Guns are good and abortion is evil.
D. argument; conclusion; There is something really, really wrong here.

2-14
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

68. It is very easy for Pope John Paul II to urge Catholics to attend Sunday mass, especially in
Rome, where one can be surrounded by hundreds of priests. Out here in the real world there is
a serious shortage of male priests; those who remain increasingly preside over lackluster
liturgies. This situation could be alleviated by allowing married priests into active ministry
and by the Catholic Church's recognition of female priests. (Mary Louise Hartman, Letter to
the Editor, New York Times)
A. nonargument; report
B. argument; conclusion: The Catholic Church should recognize female priests and allow
married priests into active ministry.
C. nonargument; explanation
D. nonargument; unsupported assertion

69. I worry that to promote science as all fun and larky and easy is to store up trouble for the
future. Real science can be hard (well, challenging to give it a more positive spin) but, like
classical literature or playing the violin, worth the struggle. If children are lured into science,
or any other worthwhile occupation, by the promise of easy fun, what are they going to do
when they finally have to confront the reality? (Richard Dawkins, Unweaving the Rainbow:
Science, Delusion, and the Appetite for Wonder)
A. argument; conclusion: Real science can be hard, but is worth the struggle.
B. nonargument; explanation
C. argument; conclusion: By promoting science as all fun and larky and easy we may be
storing up trouble for the future.
D. nonargument; report

70. We can acquire a more profound understanding of events by recognizing their

significance in Christ; thus the crossing of the Red Sea is a sign or type of Christ's victory and
also of Christian baptism. (The Catechism of the Catholic Church)
A. argument; conclusion: We can acquire a more profound understanding of events by
recognizing their significance in Christ.
B. argument; conclusion: The crossing of the Red Sea is a sign or type of Christ's victory and
also of Christian baptism.
C. nonargument; illustration
D. nonargument; explanation

2-15
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

71. Do not look directly at the sun. Its ultraviolet (UV) and infrared radiation can be
catastrophic—it can literally can burn a hole in your retina, leading to blindness. (David H.
Levy, "Look for the Solar Eclipse")
A. argument
B. explanation
C. conditional statement
D. report
E. unsupported assertion

72. If you accept the literal truth of every word of the Bible, then the Earth must be flat. (Carl
Sagan, The Demon-Haunted World)
A. conditional statement
B. illustration
C. explanation
D. unsupported assertion
E. argument

73. I don't think that Americans have the right to fly other countries' flags, I really don't. If
this isn't illegal, it should be. If they want to fly another flag, let them go to live in that
country. It offends me very, very much. (From a newspaper call-in column)
A. illustration
B. explanation
C. argument
D. unsupported assertion
E. report

74. A good deal of conduct that is ethically immoral is not criminal. For example, there are
many situations where one has a moral duty to save another's life where it can be done with
little danger or inconvenience or expense, but failure to take action to do so is not usually
criminal. (Wayne R. LaFave and Austin W. Scott, Handbook on Criminal Law)
A. illustration
B. report
C. argument
D. unsupported assertion
E. conditional statement

2-16
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

75. If miracles are not possible, then they cannot be actual. (Peter Kreeft and Ronald K.
Tacelli, Handbook of Christian Apologetics)
A. report
B. unsupported assertion
C. argument
D. explanation
E. conditional statement

76. Cells are the smallest independent units of life, and all life as we know it depends on the
many chemical activities of cells. Some of the basic functions of cells are growth,
metabolism, irritability, and reproduction. Cells vary in size from a sperm, which is about 5
micrometers (five-millionths of a meter) long, to a nerve cell with thin fibers that may be
more than a meter long. (Robert Carola, John P. Harley, and Charles R. Noback, Human
Anatomy and Physiology, 2nd ed.)
A. unsupported assertion
B. argument
C. report
D. illustration
E. explanation

77. The tropics on both sides of the equator get more heat because the sun's rays strike them
directly from the middle of the sky. (Al Gore, Earth in the Balance)
A. report
B. argument
C. conditional statement
D. illustration
E. explanation

78. Science provides only empirical explanations of how nature works. It provides no basis
for a moral code and therefore poses no threat to Christianity. (Jay F. Storz, Letter to the
Editor, New York Times)
A. unsupported assertion
B. argument
C. report
D. conditional statement
E. explanation

2-17
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

79. According to Plato, the very essence of time is change but the very essence of knowledge
is unchanging. What is true is always true. Therefore, whatever is relative and always
changing cannot be true. (Douglas J. Soccio, Archetypes of Wisdom: An Introduction to
Philosophy, 3rd ed.)
A. report
B. unsupported assertion
C. argument
D. explanation
E. conditional statement

80. In part because of his scientific accomplishments, at least dimly grasped by the public; in
part because of his courageous positions on social issues; and in part because of his benign
personality, Einstein was admired and revered throughout the world. (Carl Sagan, Broca's
Brain)
A. report
B. illustration
C. argument
D. explanation
E. unsupported assertion

81. If elections are to be a means of popular control over public policy, voters must be
reasonably well informed about policy issues and must hold opinions about them. (Thomas R.
Dye and Harmon Ziegler, The Irony of Democracy: An Uncommon Introduction to American
Politics, 8th ed.)
A. argument
B. conditional statement
C. unsupported assertion
D. explanation
E. report

2-18
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

82. Mahatma Gandhi walked barefoot everywhere, to the point that his feet became quite
thick and hard. He also was quite a spiritual person. Even when not on a hunger strike, he did
not eat much and became quite thin and frail. Furthermore, due to his diet, he ended up with
very bad breath. Therefore, he came to be known as a "super callused fragile mystic plagued
with halitosis." (Internet joke)
A. argument
B. explanation
C. report
D. unsupported assertion
E. illustration

83. Large-scale reductions in class size will likely lower the average quality of teachers: first,
because to hire additional teachers school districts must reach into the lower-quality segment
of the teacher pool; and, second, because a given budget will be spread among a higher
number of teachers, thereby limiting potential increases in teacher salaries. (Jane Hannaway
and Robert I. Lerman, Letter to the Editor, The New Republic)
A. unsupported assertion
B. report
C. conditional statement
D. argument
E. explanation

84. AARP is greatly feared in Washington, D.C., because of the fierce way it lobbies for
issues of concern to senior citizens, such as Social Security, Medicare, and the constitutional
right to drive without any clue where the actual road is. (Dave Barry, Dave Barry Turns 50)
A. conditional statement
B. argument
C. illustration
D. unsupported assertion
E. explanation

2-19
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

85. Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make
yourself as you wish to be. (Thomas á Kempis, The Imitation of Christ)
A. argument
B. illustration
C. explanation
D. report
E. conditional statement

86. There are many areas where we automatically acknowledge that science is right and our
intuitions are wrong when the two are in conflict. Thus, we all believe that the earth is round,
even though it looks flat to us. (Barry Singer, "To Believe or Not to Believe")
A. argument
B. explanation
C. report
D. conditional statement
E. illustration

87. All organisms that have ever lived—every animal and plant, every bacteria and all fungi,
every creeping thing, and all readers of this book—can look back at their ancestors and make
the following proud claim: not a single one of our ancestors died in infancy. They all reached
adulthood, and every single one was capable of finding at least one heterosexual partner and
of successfully copulating. (Richard Dawkins, River Out of Eden)
A. conditional statement
B. report or unsupported assertion
C. argument
D. explanation
E. illustration

88. Besides thinking and writing, most of my effort has involved reading materials new to me.
As a consequence, the citations I provide are primarily to sources I have read recently. (Kent
Greenawalt, Law and Objectivity)
A. unsupported assertion
B. explanation
C. illustration
D. conditional statement
E. argument

2-20
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

89. If personal life is doomed to irreversible destruction, so are all the fruits of human
creativity, whether material or spiritual, and it does not matter how long we, or our
performances, may last. (Leszek Kolakowski, Religion)
A. conditional statement
B. report
C. illustration
D. unsupported assertion
E. argument

90. Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
(Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac)
A. unsupported assertion
B. argument
C. explanation
D. report
E. illustration

91. Rather than really looking at things, people often skimp, fudge, or fake it—think of the
detective who doesn't really want to know who committed the crime, just to collect enough
evidence to get a conviction, or the academic who is less concerned to find the cause of racial
disharmony than to get a large grant for investigating the matter. (Susan Haack, "A Fallibilist
among the Skeptics")
A. illustration
B. argument
C. report
D. conditional statement
E. explanation

92. If we want our children to possess the traits of character we most admire, we need to teach
them what those traits are and why they deserve both admiration and allegiance. (William J.
Bennett, The Book of Virtues)
A. argument
B. explanation
C. report
D. conditional statement
E. unsupported assertion

2-21
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

93. A NATO aircraft bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade because the military
command mistakenly believed it was a headquarters for a Yugoslav arms agency. ("NATO
Says It Thought Embassy Was Weapons Depot," New York Times)
A. explanation
B. conditional statement
C. report
D. unsupported assertion
E. argument

94. Banning sweets from your household doesn't necessarily mean your child will grow up
shunning sugary treats. Just the opposite is true, in fact: In a recent study, children who had
just eaten a full meal were put in a room with a table piled with sweets. Even though they
weren't hungry, children who were not usually allowed to have such treats gorged on the
cakes and cookies, says researcher Leann Birch, Ph.D., professor of human development at
Pennsylvania State University of Health and Human Development. Meanwhile, those kids
whose parents regularly permitted such sweets in moderation hardly touched them. (Laura
Flynn McCarthy, "Six Nutrition Rules Even Smart Moms Don't Know")
A. report
B. explanation
C. argument
D. unsupported assertion
E. conditional statement

95. If the play of the world is produced and directed by an omnipotent and omniscient God,
does it not follow that every evil that is perpetuated is God's doing? (Carl Sagan, Broca's
Brain)
A. illustration
B. report
C. conditional statement
D. argument
E. explanation

2-22
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

96. For six months after Pearl Harbor, nearly everything in the Pacific went Japan's way.
Britain's supposedly impregnable colony at Singapore fell easily. American naval garrisons in
the Philippines and on Guam and Wake Islands were overwhelmed, and American and
Filipino armies were forced to surrender at Bataan and Corregidor in the Philippines. Other
Japanese forces steamed southward to menace Australia. Then the tide turned. (John M.
Murrin, et. al., Liberty, Equality, Power: A History of the American People, 2nd ed.)
A. conditional statement
B. report
C. argument
D. unsupported assertion
E. explanation

97. Medieval painting had presented life as an allegory; the Renaissance preferred realism.
The Medieval painters posed their figures frontally, impersonally; the Renaissance developed
psychological characterization and the art of portraiture. Medieval painting dealt in
stereotypes; the Renaissance concerned itself with individuals. Space in medieval painting
was organized in a succession of planes over which the eye traveled as over a series of
episodes. The Renaissance created unified space and the simultaneous seeing of the whole. It
discovered landscape, created the illusion of distance, and opened up endless vistas upon the
physical loveliness of the world. (Joseph Machlis and Kristine Forney, The Enjoyment of
Music: An Introduction to Perceptive Listening)
A. illustration
B. argument
C. unsupported assertion
D. conditional statement
E. report

98. If science is by definition the search for an intelligible network of natural cause-and-effect
relationships, then it cannot admit to the possibility of a supernatural cause influencing the
network in any way. (James E. Hutchingson, "Introduction: The Two-Storied Universe," in
James E. Hutchingson, ed., Religion and the Natural Sciences: The Range of Engagement)
A. conditional statement
B. unsupported assertion
C. argument
D. explanation
E. illustration

2-23
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

99. In early society, because of hunting and war, the life of the male is more violent and
dangerous and the death rate of men is higher than that of women. (Will Durant, Our Oriental
Heritage)
A. report
B. explanation
C. conditional statement
D. unsupported assertion
E. argument

100. The standard medical research institutions and journals require placebo-controlled trials
because they know that sugar pills yield better results than no pills at all. (Melvin Konner,
"Faith Healers")
A. explanation
B. report
C. conditional statement
D. argument
E. unsupported assertion

101. People often express the opinion that specific traits of members of certain groups are
responsible for their disadvantaged situation. Thus in South Africa it is common for whites to
assert that blacks are not ready for full citizenship because they remain childlike and simple.
(William Kornblum, Sociology in a Changing World)
A. explanation
B. report
C. illustration
D. argument
E. unsupported assertion

2-24
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

102. Human life means to me the life of beings for whom the leisured activities of thought,
art, literature, conversation are the end, and the preservation and propagation of life merely
the means. That is why education seems to me so important: it actualizes the potential for
leisure, if you like for amateurishness, which is man's prerogative. (C.S. Lewis,
Rehabilitations and Other Essays)
A. report
B. explanation
C. argument
D. unsupported assertion
E. conditional statement

103. The caller says, "Why would I go out in the cold and watch the Veteran's Day Parade
when the media lets us watch it from our warm homes? Because they went out into worse
than cold for you and me. They went out into war, death, fighting, guns, unspeakable
conditions, and yes, while they were cold and wet a lot of times. (From a newspaper call-in
column)
A. explanation
B. report
C. conditional statement
D. unsupported assertion
E. argument

104. Because narcotics are highly addictive and potentially harmful, they are usually either
regulated by prescription or banned outright. (Robert J. Sternberg, Pathways to Psychology)
A. argument
B. unsupported assertion
C. conditional statement
D. explanation
E. illustration

2-25
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

105. If it be true Christianity to dive with a passionate charity into the darkest recesses of
misery and vice, to irrigate every quarter of the earth with the fertilizing stream of an almost
boundless benevolence, and to include all the sections of humanity in the circle of an intense
and efficacious sympathy; if it be true Christianity to destroy or weaken the barriers which
had separated class from class and nation from nation, to free war from its harshest elements,
and to make a consciousness of essential equality and of genuine fraternity dominate over all
accidental differences; if it be, above all, true Christianity to cultivate a love of truth for its
own sake, a spirit of candour and of tolerance towards those with whom we differ—if these be
the marks of a true and healthy Christianity, then never since the days of the Apostles has it
been so vigorous as at present. (W. E. H. Lecky, History of the Rise and Influence of the Spirit
of Rationalism in Europe)
A. report
B. conditional statement
C. argument
D. explanation
E. unsupported assertion

106. Farmers recognize more than anyone that healthy growing environments define their
future. Thus, they always seek better ways to control weeds with the least toxic herbicides
available that do not damage crops. (International Food Information Council, "Food
Biotechnology and the Environment")
A. report
B. illustration
C. unsupported assertion
D. argument
E. explanation

107. If I understood all things in the world and were not in charity, what would that help me
in the sight of God, who will judge me according to my deeds? (Thomas á Kempis, The
Imitation of Christ)
A. argument
B. unsupported assertion
C. explanation
D. illustration
E. conditional statement

2-26
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 02 - Recognizing Arguments

108. The California Psychological Inventory (CPI) was initially developed and first published
by Harrison Gough in 1957. Thirty years later Gough revised his inventory by adding several
new scales and revamping or eliminating a number of dated, sexist, or difficult to read items.
The current version of the CPI contains 462 true-false items designed to measure various
facets of the normal personality. It is intended to be used with both adolescents and adults to
predict how individuals will behave and react in a variety of interpersonal situations. (Kevin
R. Murphy and Charles O. Davidshofer, Psychological Testing: Principles and Applications,
4th ed.)
A. illustration
B. report
C. argument
D. explanation
E. unsupported assertion

109. The minority population of the public schools is growing because the minority
population of the United States is growing. (Arthea J. S. Reed and Verna E. Bergemann, In
the Classroom: An Introduction to Education)
A. report
B. unsupported assertion
C. argument
D. explanation
E. conditional statement

110. If we want our children to have a good grasp of science, we need to help teachers,
parents, school administrators, and policy-makers understand both evolution and the nature of
science. (National Academy of Sciences, Teaching about Evolution and the Nature of
Science)
A. conditional statement
B. report
C. unsupported assertion
D. explanation
E. argument

2-27
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

Chapter 03
Basic Logical Concepts

True / False Questions

1. Inductive arguments always proceed from particular premises to a general conclusion.

FALSE

2. "Certainly," "conclusively," and "it logically follows that" are common deduction indicator
words and phrases.
TRUE

3. If an arguer precedes his or her conclusion with the phrase "it must be the case that," then
the argument is definitely deductive.
FALSE

4. According to the strict necessity test, if an argument's conclusion follows with strict logical
necessity from the premises, then the argument should always be treated as deductive.
TRUE

5. According to the principle of charity test, we should never attribute to an arguer a weaker
argument when the evidence reasonably permits us to attribute to the arguer a stronger one.
TRUE

6. A syllogism is an argument with two premises and a conclusion.

FALSE

3-1
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

7. Modus tollens is a deductively valid pattern of reasoning.

TRUE

8. Affirming the consequent is a deductively valid pattern of reasoning.

FALSE

9. Arguments based on mathematics are always deductive.

FALSE

10. Inductive generalizations always proceed from particular premises to a general

conclusion.
TRUE

11. Some causal arguments are deductive.

TRUE

12. An analogy is a comparison of two or more things that are claimed to be alike in some
relevant respect.
TRUE

13. All valid arguments have true premises.

FALSE

14. Some valid arguments have false conclusions.

TRUE

3-2
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

15. No strong arguments have any false premises.

FALSE

16. If an argument contains the indicator words probably or likely, it is most likely an
inductive argument.
TRUE

17. A mathematical proof in geometry is an example of inductive reasoning.

FALSE

18. Some arguments, while not completely valid, are mostly valid.
FALSE

19. Denying the antecedent is a valid mode of reasoning.

FALSE

20. No inductive argument provides logically conclusive support for its conclusion.
TRUE

21. Every hypothetical syllogism has two premises and a conclusion.

TRUE

22. All arguments that contain predictions are inductive arguments.

FALSE

3-3
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

23. No cogent argument has any false premises.

TRUE

24. A cogent argument may have a probably false conclusion.

FALSE

25. If an argument is unsound, then it has at least one false premise.

FALSE

26. Every sound argument has a true conclusion.

TRUE

27. Some inductive arguments are stronger than others.

TRUE

28. Modus ponens is a valid pattern of reasoning.

TRUE

29. Every hypothetical syllogism is valid.

TRUE

30. Every chain argument is valid.

TRUE

3-4
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

31. An inductive generalization is an argument in which a generalization is claimed to be

likely on the basis of information about some members of a particular class.
TRUE

32. No categorical syllogism has only one premise.

TRUE

33. The common pattern test asks: Are there any indicator words that signal whether the
argument is intended to be deductive or inductive?
FALSE

34. An argument from authority asserts that a claim is true and then supports that claim by
alleging that some presumed authority or witness has said that the claim is true.
TRUE

35. The following example is a hypothetical syllogism: No dogs are reptiles. Some dogs are
German Shepherds. So, no German Shepherds are reptiles.
FALSE

36. Some arguments are neither deductive nor inductive.

FALSE

37. The following argument is inductively strong: All previous U.S. presidents have worn a
beard. So, the next U.S. president will probably wear a beard.
TRUE

3-5
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

38. An argument from elimination seeks to logically rule out various possibilities until only a
single possibility remains.
TRUE

39. All arguments from elimination are deductive.

TRUE

40. In an argument from definition, the conclusion is presented as being true by definition.
TRUE

Multiple Choice Questions

41. An argument in which the conclusion is claimed to follow necessarily from the premises
is
A. a valid argument
B. an implicative argument
C. a deductive argument
D. an inductive argument

42. Arguments in which the conclusion is claimed to follow probably from the premises are
A. inductive
B. abductive
C. plausibility arguments
D. deductive

43. A(n)__________ is a three-line deductive argument that consists of two premises and a
conclusion.
A. enthymeme
B. syllogism
C. trilogy
D. categorical argument

3-6
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

44. The argument "If Denise plays first base, then Laura plays shortstop; if Laura plays
shortstop, then Tess plays catcher; so, if Denise plays first base, then Tess plays catcher" is
A. a hypothetical syllogism
B. an argument by elimination
C. an argument by definition
D. a categorical syllogism

45. The argument "Shadowfax is a stallion; it follows that Shadowfax is a male" is

A. an argument by definition
B. an inductive generalization
C. a hypothetical syllogism
D. an argument by elimination

46. The argument "Aldo says he saw a Whooping Crane in a Wisconsin marsh; Aldo is a
highly reliable witness; so, Aldo probably did see a Whooping Crane in a Wisconsin marsh"
is
A. a causal argument
B. an inductive generalization
C. an argument from authority
D. none of the above

47. The argument "Apples purchased in grocery stores are red, juicy, and rarely contain
worms; this wild apple is also red and juicy; so, it probably doesn't contain any worms either"
is
A. a causal argument
B. an argument by analogy
C. an inductive generalization
D. none of the above

3-7
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

48. The argument "No Buddhists are Christians; some San Pedrans are Christians; so some
San Pedrans are not Buddhists" is
A. an argument by definition
B. an inductive generalization
C. a categorical syllogism
D. none of the above

49. __________ have the following pattern: If A then B; not A; so, not B.
A. modus ponens
B. modus tollens
C. denying the antecedent
D. affirming the consequent

50. __________ have the following pattern: If A then B; not B; so, not A.
A. modus ponens
B. chain arguments
C. modus tollens
D. denying the antecedent

51. Which of the following combinations can a valid argument never have?
A. true premises, false conclusion
B. false premises, true conclusion
C. false premises, false conclusion
D. all of the above

52. All strong arguments have

A. true premises
B. a probably true conclusion
C. both a and b
D. none of the above

3-8
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

53. Arguments that are strong and have all true premises are said to be
A. reliable
B. cogent
C. sound
D. inductively successful

54. All cogent arguments

A. have a probably true conclusion
B. have a true conclusion
C. are deductive
D. none of the above

55. With a deductive argument, if you can imagine a possible scenario in which an argument's
premises would all be true and the conclusion would be false, then the argument is:
A. invalid
B. weak
C. uncogent
D. unsubstantiated

56. Either Sally is dating Sturdley or Sally is dating Vernon. But Sally isn't dating Sturdley,
because Sally won't date anyone with a tattoo, and Sturdley has a large tattoo of a drunken rat
on his right forearm. So, Sally is dating Vernon. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. none of the above

57. In 1930 Harry lived at 212 Sycamore Drive. In 1970 Harry lived at 212 Sycamore Drive.
In 2010 Harry lived at 212 Sycamore Drive. Therefore, in 2040 Harry will live at 212
Sycamore Drive. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

3-9
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

58. Barbara is a 50-year-old accountant, wears conservative clothes, and plays Bingo every
Tuesday night at the church social. It is not the case, therefore, that Barbara likes heavy metal
music. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

59. Buford can lift, at most, 150 pounds over his head. That hog must weigh at least 300
pounds. Therefore, Buford will never be able to lift that hog over his head. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

60. The last three students who made perfect scores on Professor Blanchard's calculus final
were all lacrosse players. Therefore, the next student who makes a perfect score on Professor
Blanchard's calculus final will also be a lacrosse player. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

61. All Republicans are pro-choice; Barack Obama is a Republican. So, Barack Obama is pro-
choice. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. none of the above

3-10
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

62. On Monday, Irene wore a New York Mets jacket to class. On Wednesday, Irene wore a
New York Mets hat to class. On Friday, Irene wore a New York Mets sweatshirt to class. It's
pretty obvious Irene is a New York Mets fan. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

63. Josie has ski racks on her Toyota Pathfinder. It is logical to assume, therefore, that Josie is
a skier. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

64. Ninety percent of students at Central Tech University wear sandals to class, even in the
winter. Ted is a student at Central Tech University. So, Ted likely wears sandals to class, even
in the winter. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

65. Jennifer was a brunette when she was freshmen, and she was a blonde when she was a
sophomore. It follows that she will be redhead when she is a junior. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

3-11
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

66. Ollie got violent ill only minutes after he ate a large red mushroom in the woods. Clearly,
the mushroom caused him to be sick. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

67. No one is a voter who isn't a citizen. Therefore, because Joe is a citizen, he must be a
voter. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

68. What makes me think Regina isn't a vegetarian? On Tuesday, she went to Kentucky Fried
Chicken for lunch. On Wednesday, she went to Burger King for lunch. On Thursday, she
went to the Hungry Heifer Steakhouse for lunch. What more proof do you need? This
argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

69. If Wendy got an "A" in her Anatomy and Physiology class, then her boyfriend took her
out to celebrate. Her boyfriend did take her out to celebrate. Therefore, Wendy did get an "A"
in her Anatomy and Physiology class. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

3-12
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

70. If Toronto is a city in Mexico, then Toronto is south of the border. Toronto is a city in
Mexico. So, Toronto is south of the border. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. none of the above

71. There is loud music blaring from Matt's house, lots of cars are parked out front, and I just
saw two frat brothers of mine carrying kegs of beer into the house. Let's check it out. Matt
must be having a party. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

72. Some people like sardines. Some people like pistachio ice cream. It stands to reason,
therefore, that some people must like sardines on their pistachio ice cream. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

73. If 90 percent of Wexford County residents are Democrats, then their state representative
must be a Democrat. 90 percent of Wexford County residents are Democrats. So, their state
representative must be a Democrat. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

3-13
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

74. Mom promised that if she made at least $5,000 in royalties on her latest book, she would
take us all to Disney World this Christmas. Well, look at these three royalty checks Mom just
received for the book. One is for $829. One is for $2273. And one is for $3188. Yippie!
Disney World here we come! This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

75. No welfare recipients are NBA all-stars. All welfare recipients are poor. Therefore, no
NBA all-stars are poor. This argument is
A. deductive, valid
B. deductive, invalid
C. inductive, strong
D. inductive, weak

76. Arguments that try to prove their conclusions with rigorous, inescapable logic are
A. logically reliable.
B. inductive.
C. abductive.
D. deductive.

77. An argument in which the conclusion is claimed to follow probably from the premises is
A. implicative.
B. inductive.
C. deductive.
D. none of the above

78. Which of the following is not a common induction indicator word or phrase?
A. it logically follows that
B. likely
C. chances are that
D. none of the above

3-14
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

79. If an argument contains the words "it must be the case that," then the argument is
definitely
A. inductive.
B. deductive.
C. logically reliable.
D. none of the above

80. If the conclusion of an argument follows with strict logical necessity from its premises,
then the argument should be regarded as
A. inductive.
B. deductive.
C. both a and b
D. neither a nor b

81. The principle that in interpreting an unclear argument or passage, we should always give
the speaker or writer the benefit of the doubt is called
A. the fairness principle.
B. the benefit of doubt principle.
C. the principle of charity.
D. the interpretive principle.

82. Which of the following is not a common pattern of deductive reasoning?

A. statistical argument
B. categorical syllogism
C. argument from elimination
D. argument by definition

83. Which of the following is not a logically reliable pattern of deductive reasoning?
A. modus ponens
B. chain argument
C. affirming the consequent
D. modus tollens

3-15
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

84. Denying the antecedent arguments have the following pattern:

A. If A then B; if B then C; so, if A then C.
B. If A then B; not A; so, not B.
C. If A the B; not B; so, not A.
D. None of the above.

85. The argument "If I want to improve my thinking skills, I better study critical thinking; I do
want to improve my thinking skills; therefore, I better study critical thinking" is an example
of
A. an argument by elimination.
B. a hypothetical syllogism.
C. a chain argument.
D. a categorical syllogism.

86. The argument "No rappers are opera singers; no opera singers are professional wrestlers;
so, no rappers are professional wrestlers" is an example of
A. a categorical syllogism.
B. an argument from definition.
C. a hypothetical syllogism.
D. a chain argument.

87. The argument "Either I can fix you the same-old potatoes or I can fix you some delicious
fried okra; I know you don't want to have the same-old potatoes; so, I'll fix you some
delicious fried okra" is an example of
A. a hypothetical syllogism.
B. a categorical syllogism.
C. a chain argument.
D. an argument by elimination.

88. The argument "Kyle is a father; it follows that Kyle has a child" is an example of
A. a chain argument.
B. a modus tollens argument.
C. a hypothetical syllogism.
D. an argument by definition.

3-16
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

89. A valid argument must

A. be a deductive argument.
B. have all true premises.
C. have a true conclusion.
D. all of the above

90. A valid argument may have

A. false premises and a false conclusion.
B. false premises and a true conclusion.
C. true premises and a true conclusion.
D. all of the above

91. If a deductive argument has true premises and a false conclusion, then the argument is
A. weak.
B. uncogent.
C. strong but not necessarily uncogent.
D. invalid.

92. An inductive argument that is strong and has all true premises is
A. sound.
B. cogent.
C. valid.
D. valid but not necessarily sound.

93. A strong argument must have

A. probably true premises.
B. a probably true conclusion.
C. both a and b
D. none of the above

3-17
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 03 - Basic Logical Concepts

94. If an inductive argument has a false premise, then the argument is

A. unsound.
B. weak.
C. uncogent.
D. all of the above

95. A weak inductive argument necessarily has

A. one or more false premises.
B. a false conclusion.
C. both a and b
D. neither a nor b

3-18
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

Chapter 05
Logical Fallacies-I

True / False Questions

1. Even though an argument contains a logical fallacy, it can still be a good argument.
FALSE

2. A fallacy of relevance occurs because the premises of the argument, though logically
relevant to the conclusion, failed to provide sufficient evidence to support the conclusion.
FALSE

3. For one statement to be relevant to another, it must be true.

FALSE

4. Some personal attacks are not fallacious.

TRUE

5. Every attack on someone's motive is logically fallacious.

FALSE

6. Although a person might be a hypocrite for saying that you shouldn't do something that
they themselves do, their argument might still be good.
TRUE

5-1
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

7. The fact that someone else did something wrong can never justify you doing something
wrong.
TRUE

8. The following commits the fallacy of straw man: The glass is half empty because it's half
full.
FALSE

9. The following commits the appeal to pity fallacy: Of course you should start Lanny as point
guard. His grandmother passed away last week.
TRUE

10. The following commits the bandwagon fallacy: Millions of people think that Uri Geller
really is a psychic. He must really have psychic powers.
TRUE

11. Distorting your opponent's view to make it easier to attack is always fallacious.
TRUE

12. Changing the subject is always fallacious.

FALSE

13. A good way to tell whether or not an argument equivocates is by clearly defining the
words the argument uses.
TRUE

5-2
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

14. Although arguments that beg the question are logically valid, they are nonetheless
fallacious.
TRUE

15. Although it is not rational to be persuaded by logically fallacious arguments, unfortunately

people often are.
TRUE

16. A fallacy is an argument that contains a mistake in reasoning.

TRUE

17. Statement A is negatively relevant to statement B if Statement A provides no evidence for

statement B.
FALSE

18. The attacking the motive fallacy occurs when an arguer rejects another person's argument
or claim because that person fails to practice what he or she preaches.
FALSE

19. In the scare tactics fallacy, an arguer physically attacks an opponent.

FALSE

20. Emotional appeals are always fallacies.

FALSE

21. A bandwagon argument is an argument that illegitimately plays on a person's desire to be

popular, valued or accepted.
TRUE

5-3
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

22. The straw man fallacy is committed when an arguer distorts an opponent's argument or
claim in order to make it easier to attack.
TRUE

23. If the premise of an argument simply restates the conclusion in slightly different words,
the argument commits the fallacy of begging the question.
TRUE

24. In the red herring fallacy, a key term is used in two or different senses in the same
argument.
FALSE

25. In the argument "Ned is 100 years old; therefore, Ned probably plays professional
basketball" the premise is logically irrelevant to the conclusion.
FALSE

Multiple Choice Questions

26. The __________ fallacy occurs when an arguer appeals to a person's desire to be popular,
accepted, or valued, rather than to logically relevant reasons or evidence.
A. appeal to pity
B. bandwagon
C. red herring
D. equivocation

27. The fallacy of __________ occurs when an arguer uses a key word in an argument in two
or more different senses.
A. equivocation
B. red herring
C. two wrongs make a right
D. straw man

5-4
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

28. The fallacy of __________ occurs when an arguer states or assumes as a premise the very
thing he or she is seeking to prove as a conclusion.
A. red herring
B. bandwagon argument
C. equivocation
D. begging the question

29. The fallacy of __________ occurs when an arguer rejects a person's argument or claim by
attacking the person's character rather than considering the merits of his or her argument or
claim.
A. straw man
B. attacking the motive
C. personal attack
D. red herring

30. The fallacy of __________ occurs when an arguer attempts to justify a wrongful act by
claiming that some other act is just as bad or worse.
A. appeal to force
B. appeal to pity
C. two wrongs make a right
D. red herring

31. An argument is fallacious if it:

A. contains a mistake in reasoning
B. has one or more false premises
C. has a false conclusion
D. all of the above

5-5
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

32. Consider these two statements. (Statement one): Lou is a Republican and Republicans
usually like small government. (Statement two): Lou likes small government. How are these
statements relevant to one another?
A. Statement one is negatively relevant to statement two.
B. Statement one is positively relevant to statement two.
C. Statement one is logically irrelevant to statement two.
D. None of the above.

33. Consider these two statements. (Statement one): Sandra is a billionaire. (Statement two):
Sandra owns a very small home. How are these statements relevant to one another?
A. Statement one is negatively relevant to statement two.
B. Statement one is positively relevant to statement two.
C. Statement one is logically irrelevant to statement two.
D. None of the above.

34. Consider these two statements. (Statement one): I think it would be great if God exists.
(Statement two): God exists. How are these statements relevant to one another?
A. Statement one is negatively relevant to statement two.
B. Statement one is positively relevant to statement two.
C. Statement one is logically irrelevant to statement two.
D. None of the above.

35. Consider the following argument: "Richard Dawkins argues that evolution is true. But he's
a godless atheist who can't be trusted. Therefore, his arguments for evolution must be faulty."
What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. personal attack
B. attacking the motive
C. look who's talking
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument.

5-6
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

36. Consider the following argument: "Christopher Nolan should win best picture this year.
After all, last year he had a great film and he wasn't even nominated." What fallacy does this
argument commit?
A. scare tactics
B. appeal to pity
C. two wrongs make a right
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument

37. Consider the following argument: "A lot of people have said that the new Thai restaurant
is really good. So, I bet it is." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. appeal to pity
B. equivocation
C. bandwagon argument
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument

38. Consider the following argument: "Ned argues that IT employees should be given the
raise they were promised. But of course Ned thinks that; he works for IT. I believe we can
safely ignore his argument." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. personal attack
B. attacking the motive
C. look who's talking
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument

39. Consider the following argument: "Your grandmother has done a lot for you, and now she
is in the hospital sick. I think you should visit her." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. look who's talking
B. appeal to pity
C. straw man
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument

5-7
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

40. Consider the following argument: "Everything in the book of Mormon is true. How do I
know? I had a religious experience that told me that the book of Mormon is true, and the book
of Mormon says I can trust my religious experiences." What fallacy does this argument
commit?
A. appeal to pity
B. red herring
C. begging the question
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument

41. Consider the following argument: "Yeah I know that Bob cheated on his wife. But he
didn't really do anything wrong because his wife cheated on him first." What fallacy does this
argument commit?
A. two wrongs make a right
B. bandwagon argument
C. look who's talking
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument.

42. Consider the following argument: "Steve told me I should lose some weight. But he
weighs like 300 pounds. What a hypocrite." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. appeal to pity
B. look who's talking
C. two wrongs make a right
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument

43. Consider the following argument: "Capitalism must be the best economic system. Think
how many people across the world believe in it." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. bandwagon argument
B. red herring
C. equivocation
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument

5-8
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

44. Consider the following argument: "My dad told me I need to study harder because I'm
getting all D's. But what does he know? He got bad grades when he was in school. Why
should I listen to him?" What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. personal attack
B. two wrongs make a right
C. look who's talking
D. there is no fallacy in this argument

45. Consider the following argument: "President Obama, in his State of the Union address,
said the nation would benefit if everyone had at least one year of post high school education,
whether it be college, a trade school, or an apprenticeship. It's too bad that he's an elitist snob,
who doesn't appreciate the hard work of those who don't have a college education, and who
wants everyone to go to college so they can be brainwashed to think like him." What fallacy
does this argument commit?
A. bandwagon argument
B. red herring
C. straw man
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument

46. Consider the following argument: "Some people think that the television show South Park
has gotten more vulgar over the years. But South Park is hilarious and has great social
commentary." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. attacking the motive
B. two wrongs make a right
C. red herring
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument

47. Consider the following argument: "That bill Congress wants to pass is very unpopular.
Unless they want to have trouble in the next election cycle, they probably shouldn't pass it."
What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. scare tactics
B. equivocation
C. bandwagon
D. there is no fallacy committed by this argument

5-9
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

48. Consider the following argument: "Bill said John's new girlfriend is a fox. Foxes live in
the woods. So, John's new girlfriend must live in the woods." What fallacy does this argument
commit?
A. look who's talking
B. equivocation
C. straw man
D. no fallacy

49. Consider the following argument: "My opponent in this election doesn't deserve your
vote. He's a liar, a confessed tax cheat, and he's twice been convicted of spying for Albania."
What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. personal attack
B. attacking the motive
C. look who's talking
D. no fallacy

50. Consider the following argument: "Legalizing gay marriage is justifiable, because it's
perfectly legitimate and appropriate that people of the same sex should be legally permitted to
marry." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. straw man
B. equivocation
C. begging the question
D. no fallacy

51. Consider the following argument: "Many leading Native-American scholars have argued
in favor of affirmative action. However, some of these scholars may have personally benefited
from affirmative action policies. Therefore, their arguments should be ignored." What fallacy
does this argument commit?
A. attacking the motive
B. two wrongs make a right
C. look who's talking
D. no fallacy

5-10
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

52. Consider the following argument: "Mr. Special Prosecutor, I'm sure you'll agree these
charges against me are completely groundless. If you continue to pursue this investigation, it
may be necessary to order the IRS to audit your taxes." What fallacy does this argument
commit?
A. attacking the motive
B. scare tactics
C. red herring
D. no fallacy

53. Consider the following argument: "Republicans have charged the President with failing to
keep his campaign promises. But this is a case of the pot calling the kettle black. Just last
week many Republican senators went back on their campaign promises to support Medicare
cuts." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. two wrongs make a right
B. look who's talking
C. attacking the motive
D. no fallacy

54. Consider the following argument: "I'm sure you're all aware that Paula Zapperstein has
argued that we need a new school gymnasium. What you may not be aware of is that Ms.
Zapperstein is a convicted drug dealer. Clearly, Ms. Zapperstein's argument should be
consigned to the trash bin." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. personal attack
B. attacking the motive
C. two wrongs make a right
D. no fallacy

55. Consider the following argument: Some people argue that fishing is wrong because fish
can suffer. But fishing is a wonderful sport. Kids love it, and there's nothing more relaxing."
What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. two wrongs make a right
B. red herring
C. straw man
D. no fallacy

5-11
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

56. Consider the following argument: "Billy-Ray Hoggerty's book Stoned in Muskogee should
be awarded this year's Pulitzer Prize for literature. Billy-Ray, as you know, recently lost both
his parents, and his favorite coon-dog got run over by a hay-bailer." What fallacy does this
argument commit?
A. personal attack
B. appeal to pity
C. attacking the motive
D. no fallacy

57. Consider the following argument: "All the cool kids at Middletown Elementary School
drink Fizzy soda pop. So you should too." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. equivocation
B. two wrongs make a right
C. bandwagon argument
D. no fallacy

58. Consider the following argument: "Sneaker City has accused our company of exploitative
labor practices. But Sneaker City's labor practices are much more exploitative than ours are. I
happen to know they regularly employ children as young as nine in their overseas factories.
Clearly, these accusations are groundless." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. attacking the motive
B. look who's talking
C. red herring
D. no fallacy

59. Consider the following argument: "Dipsy O'Neill has recently argued that drinking a little
red wine with dinner is good for one's health. But no one should accept O'Neill's argument.
O'Neill, as you know, is the owner of O'Neill's Wines and Spirits. Naturally she'd love to see
people buy more wine." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. attacking the motive
B. look who's talking
C. two wrongs make a right
D. no fallacy

5-12
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part
Chapter 05 - Logical Fallacies-I

60. Consider the following argument: "In a recent judicial decision, District Court Judge
Lemuel Featherstone argued that bazookas and flamethrowers are not protected by the Second
Amendment. Apparently, Judge Featherstone believes that the U.S. Constitution is obsolete
and should be repealed by judicial fiat. But the rights protected in the Constitution lie at the
very core of America's values and traditions. All true Americans must hope that Judge
Featherstone's ruling is swiftly overturned." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. attacking the motive
B. straw man
C. red herring
D. no fallacy

61. Consider the following argument: "There's nothing wrong with paying for one movie and
then sneaking in to see a second movie for free. What theaters charge for popcorn and soda is
highway robbery." What fallacy does this argument commit?
A. Attacking the motive
B. Look who's talking
C. Two wrongs make a right
D. No fallacy

5-13
© 2013 by McGraw-Hill Education. This is proprietary material solely for authorized instructor use. Not authorized for sale or distribution in
any manner. This document may not be copied, scanned, duplicated, forwarded, distributed, or posted on a website, in whole or part