Question 1

Given that 2x - 1 = 13. It follows that x = 6.
A) Inductive, strong.
B) Deductive, invalid.
C) Deductive, valid.
D) Inductive, weak.
E) Deductive, sound.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Given that 2x - 1 = 13....

Question 2

All essay contests are challenges that promote thinking. All challenges that promote thinking are educational experiences. Thus, all essay contests are educational experiences.
A) Inductive, strong.
B) Deductive, invalid.
C) Inductive, weak.
D) Deductive, valid.
E) Inductive, cogent.

Accepted Answer

The argument is structured in a deductive format with a clear syllogism which makes it valid. Therefore, the correct choice is Deductive, valid.

Question 3

PART A All spies are covert operators, so all covert operators are risk takers, for all spies are risk takers.
Which of the following correctly expresses the form of this argument? a. $\begin{array} { l  }
 \text { All C are $ R $.}\ \text { All $ \mathrm{S} $ are $ \mathrm{R} $.}\ \hline\text { All S are C}\
\end{array}$$\quad$b. $\begin{array}{l}
\text { If } S \text { then R. } \
\text { If } S \text { then } C \text {. } \
\hline\text { If } C \text { then } R \text {. }
\end{array}$$\quad$c. $\begin{array} { l  }
 \text {All $ \mathrm{S} $ are C. }\ \text { All } \mathrm{S} \text { are } \mathrm{R}\ \hline\text { All } \mathrm{C} \text { are } \mathrm{R}\
\end{array}$

d. $\begin{array} { l  }
 \text { All S are C. }\ \text {All C are $ \mathrm{R} $.  }\ \text { $ \mathrm{All} \mathrm{S} $ are $ \mathrm{R} $.}\
\end{array}$$\quad$e. $\begin{array} { l  }
 \text { All C are $ \mathrm{S} $.}\ \text {All R are $ \mathrm{S} $. }\ \text {All $ \mathrm{C} $ are $ \mathrm{R} $. }\
\end{array}$ PART B
Which of the following substitutions proves the argument invalid?
A) C = cats, S = dogs, R = animals.
B) S = fish, R = mammals, C = animals.
C) S = dogs, C = mammals, R = animals.
D) R= dogs, C = cats, S = animals.
E) S = cats, C = animals, R = mammals.

Accepted Answer

The answer of PART A All spies are covert operators,...

Question 4

An argument that concludes something is true because somebody has said so is:
A) A deductive argument.
B) An inductive argument.
C) A strong argument.
D) A valid argument.
E) A sound argument.

Accepted Answer

The argument that concludes something is true because somebody has said so is an example of an inductive argument. Inductive arguments rely on observations or testimony, and the strength of the conclusion depends on the reliability of the source. In this case, the reliability of the person or source making the claim is uncertain, so the argument is weak and not necessarily true.

Question 5

Which of the following are all deductive arguments?
A) Arguments from analogy, arguments based on signs, causal inferences.
B) Arguments from analogy, predictions, causal inferences.
C) Predictions, hypothetical syllogisms, arguments from authority.
D) Arguments based in mathematics, hypothetical syllogisms, generalizations.
E) Categorical syllogisms, arguments from definition, disjunctive syllogisms.

Accepted Answer

Deductive arguments are those where the conclusion logically follows from the premises with certainty. Categorical syllogisms, arguments from definition, and disjunctive syllogisms all fit this description, as they are structured in a way that if the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true.

Question 6

The bumper sticker on that car says "Don't Waste Your Vote. Vote Libertarian." Therefore, it's clear that you should vote for Libertarian candidates in the next election.
A) Deductive, valid.
B) Deductive, invalid.
C) Inductive, weak.
D) Inductive, cogent.
E) Inductive, strong.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The bumper sticker on that car says...

Question 7

Which of the following are all arguments?
A) Reports, arguments from signs, arguments from authority.
B) Causal inferences, explanations, warnings.
C) Illustrations, conditional statements, pieces of advice.
D) Syllogisms, predictions, generalizations.
E) Arguments from analogy, explanations, illustrations.

Accepted Answer

Syllogisms, predictions, and generalizations are all types of arguments. The other answer choices include some types of reasoning that may support an argument, but they are not themselves arguments.

Question 8

The Washington Post carried an article on the huge hurricane that struck the Caiman Islands. The Chicago Tribune is similar in its coverage to the Washington Post. Thus, the Chicago Tribune must have carried an article on that hurricane.
A) Deductive, sound.
B) Inductive, strong.
C) Deductive, invalid.
D) Deductive, valid.
E) Inductive, weak.

Accepted Answer

The argument is inductive because it makes a probable conclusion based on the similarity of coverage between two newspapers. It is considered strong because it is reasonable to expect similar news coverage in newspapers of similar scope and interest, but it does not guarantee the conclusion with certainty, hence not deductive.

Question 9

Which of the following is a sufficient condition for making ice from fresh water?
A) Putting the water outside in the cold.
B) Putting the water into the freezer.
C) Pouring the water into an ice cube tray.
D) Lowering the temperature of the water below 40° F.
E) Lowering the temperature of the water to 20° F.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is a sufficient...

Question 10

PART A If deficits increase then the economy will stagnate. Thus, if deficits increase, then interest rates will rise, because if interest rates rise, then the economy will stagnate.
Which of the following correctly expresses the form of this argument? a. $\begin{array} { l  }
 \text {If $ D $ then $ E $. }\ \text {If $ D $ then I. }\ \hline\text { If I then E.}\
\end{array}$$\quad$b. $\begin{array} { l  }
 \text {If $ D $ then $ \mathrm{I} $. }\ \text { If I then $ \mathrm{E} $.}\ \hline\text { If $ D $ then $ E $.}\
\end{array}$$\quad$c. $\begin{array} { l  }
 \text { If $ D $ then I.}\ \text {If D then E. }\ \hline\text { If I then $ E $.}\
\end{array}$

d. $\begin{array} { l  }
 \text { If $ \mathrm{D} $ then $ \mathrm{E} $. }\ \text { If $ E $ then I. }\ \text {If $ D $ then $ I $. }\
\end{array}$$\quad$e. $\begin{array} { l  }
 \text {If $ D $ then $ E $.  }\ \text { If I then $ E $.}\ \text {  If $ D $ then I.}\
\end{array}$ PART B
Which of the following substitutions proves the argument invalid?
A) D = Tom Hanks is a man, E = Tom Hanks is a human, I = Tom Hanks is a woman.
B) D = dogs, I = mammals, E = animals.
C) D = Bob is a physician, E = Bob is a professional, I = Bob is a doctor.
D) D = dogs, E = animals, I = cats.
E) D = Halle Berry is an actor, E = Halle Berry is a woman, I = Halle Berry is a human.

Accepted Answer

The answer of PART A If deficits increase then the...

Question 11

An argument whose conclusion rests on the definition of a word used in the premises is:
A) A deductive argument.
B) A valid argument.
C) A sound argument.
D) A cogent argument.
E) An inductive argument.

Accepted Answer

An argument whose conclusion rests on the definition of a word used in the premises is a deductive argument because it relies on the logical relationship between the premises and conclusion based on accepted definitions. The validity of the argument therefore depends on the logical structure of the argument rather than the truth of the premises or conclusion.

Question 12

Maria is a hypochondriac. Therefore, she always worries about her health.
A) Inductive, strong.
B) Deductive, valid.
C) Inductive, weak.
D) Deductive, unsound.
E) Deductive, invalid.

Accepted Answer

This is a deductive argument because it makes a general claim about Maria (being a hypochondriac) and then deduces a specific conclusion (she always worries about her health) based on that general claim. The argument is valid because if the premises are true (Maria is a hypochondriac), then the conclusion (she always worries about her health) logically follows.

Question 13

Author Tim LaHaye says that the rapture (when all righteous people will be miraculously lifted up to heaven) will occur in the not too distant future. Therefore, this event is sure to happen soon.
A) Inductive, strong.
B) Deductive, uncogent.
C) Deductive, invalid.
D) Inductive, weak.
E) Deductive, valid.

Accepted Answer

The argument is inductive because it makes a prediction based on a specific viewpoint or belief rather than a logically certain conclusion. It is considered weak because the prediction of the rapture happening soon is speculative and not necessarily supported by universally accepted evidence or reasoning.

Question 14

Which of the following is a necessary condition for going for a swim?
A) Treading water.
B) Doing the breaststroke.
C) Holding your breath.
D) Getting into the water.
E) Doing the backstroke.

Accepted Answer

Getting into the water is a necessary condition for going for a swim.

Question 15

Which of the following are all premise indicators?
A) Hence, thus, implies that.
B) Accordingly, seeing that, inasmuch as.
C) For, given that, because.
D) As, consequently, because.
E) For the reason that, in that, wherefore.

Accepted Answer

"For," "given that," and "because" are all commonly used as premise indicators, indicating that what follows are reasons or evidence for an argument's main conclusion.

Question 16

In the expression "If North Korea has nuclear weapons, then it poses a threat to world peace," the statement "It poses a threat to world peace" is called the:
A) Conditional.
B) Consequent.
C) Antecedent.
D) Explanandum.
E) Conclusion.

Accepted Answer

The statement "It poses a threat to world peace" is the consequent because it follows the conditional "If North Korea has nuclear weapons." The antecedent is "North Korea has nuclear weapons."

Question 17

If malaria becomes drug resistant, then countless victims will perish. If malaria becomes drug resistant, then a major health crisis will erupt. Therefore, if a major health crisis erupts, then countless victims will perish.
A) Deductive, invalid.
B) Deductive, sound.
C) Inductive, strong.
D) Inductive, weak.
E) Deductive, valid.

Accepted Answer

The conclusion does not logically follow from the premises because the argument assumes that a major health crisis erupting is solely due to malaria becoming drug resistant. This is a logical fallacy known as affirming the consequent, making the argument deductively invalid.

Question 18

If a deductive argument has false premises and a false conclusion, then we know:
A) Nothing as such about the argument's validity.
B) The argument is invalid.
C) The argument is valid.
D) The argument is weak.
E) The argument is uncogent.

Accepted Answer

The validity of a deductive argument is determined by its form, not the truth values of its premises or conclusion. An argument can have false premises and a false conclusion but still be valid if the conclusion logically follows from the premises.

Question 19

Yuri Androvich is a blue-eyed Russian artist, and his paintings sell for over $10,000. Peter Roganov is also a blue-eyed Russian, and he just finished art school. Thus, his paintings should sell for over $10,000, too.
A) Inductive, strong.
B) Deductive, valid.
C) Inductive, cogent.
D) Deductive, invalid.
E) Inductive, weak.

Accepted Answer

The argument is inductive because it makes a generalization based on specific instances. However, it is weak because it assumes without sufficient evidence that the only relevant factors are being Russian, blue-eyed, and an artist, ignoring other potential factors like skill, fame, and experience.

Question 20

In the expression "Barack Obama was elected president because he capitalized on a bad economy," the statement "He capitalized on a bad economy" is called the:
A) Premise.
B) Consequent.
C) Explanans.
D) Conclusion.
E) Explanandum.

Accepted Answer

The statement "He capitalized on a bad economy" is an explanation for why Barack Obama was elected president. Therefore, it is the explanans, which is the part of an argument that offers an explanation for the conclusion. The premise is the evidence or reasons that support the conclusion, while the conclusion is the main point being argued. The consequent is the conclusion of a conditional statement, and the explanandum is the statement that needs to be explained.

Quiz 1: Basic Concepts

Given that 2x - 1 = 13. It follows that x = 6.

All essay contests are challenges that promote thinking. All challenges that promote thinking are educational experiences. Thus, all essay contests are educational experiences.

An argument that concludes something is true because somebody has said so is:

Which of the following are all deductive arguments?

The bumper sticker on that car says "Don't Waste Your Vote. Vote Libertarian." Therefore, it's clear that you should vote for Libertarian candidates in the next election.

Which of the following are all arguments?

The Washington Post carried an article on the huge hurricane that struck the Caiman Islands. The Chicago Tribune is similar in its coverage to the Washington Post. Thus, the Chicago Tribune must have carried an article on that hurricane.

Which of the following is a sufficient condition for making ice from fresh water?

An argument whose conclusion rests on the definition of a word used in the premises is:

Maria is a hypochondriac. Therefore, she always worries about her health.

Author Tim LaHaye says that the rapture (when all righteous people will be miraculously lifted up to heaven) will occur in the not too distant future. Therefore, this event is sure to happen soon.

Which of the following is a necessary condition for going for a swim?

Which of the following are all premise indicators?

In the expression "If North Korea has nuclear weapons, then it poses a threat to world peace," the statement "It poses a threat to world peace" is called the:

If malaria becomes drug resistant, then countless victims will perish. If malaria becomes drug resistant, then a major health crisis will erupt. Therefore, if a major health crisis erupts, then countless victims will perish.

If a deductive argument has false premises and a false conclusion, then we know:

Yuri Androvich is a blue-eyed Russian artist, and his paintings sell for over $10,000. Peter Roganov is also a blue-eyed Russian, and he just finished art school. Thus, his paintings should sell for over $10,000, too.

In the expression "Barack Obama was elected president because he capitalized on a bad economy," the statement "He capitalized on a bad economy" is called the: