Question 1

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) This statement is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____. A) argument; conclusion: Dictators win the loyalty of their people B) nonargument; unsupported assertion C) nonargument; report D) nonargument; explanation

Accepted Answer

The statement provides a reason for why dictators win the loyalty of their people, making it an explanation rather than an argument or report. It does not present evidence or conclusions derived from evidence, but rather explains a phenomenon.

Question 2

"A student is considered to have passed a grade if he or she acquires a minimum of 50 percent marks in each subject." In this conditional statement, the part "A student is considered to have passed a grade" is the _____.
A) consequent
B) chain argument
C) explanandum
D) explanans
E) antecedent

Accepted Answer

The part "A student is considered to have passed a grade" is the outcome or result of fulfilling the condition that follows, making it the consequent in the given conditional statement.

Question 3

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.) This statement exemplifies a(n) _____. A) unsupported assertion B) explanation C) argument D) conditional statement E) report

Accepted Answer

The statement is a conditional statement because it presents a condition (voters being well informed about policy issues and holding opinions about them) that must be met for elections to serve as a means of popular control over public policy.

Question 4

Because Mars is farther from the Sun than is the Earth, its temperatures are considerably lower. (Carl Sagan, Cosmos) This statement is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____. A) argument; conclusion: Its temperatures are considerably lower B) nonargument; report C) nonargument; explanation D) argument; conclusion: Mars is farther from the Sun than is the Earth

Accepted Answer

The statement provides a fact about Mars being farther from the Sun than Earth and explains the consequence of this fact (lower temperatures), making it a nonargument that offers an explanation.

Question 5

"Whoever wishes to be healthy eats salads. Salads have lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes. Lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes are easy to grow in the backyard. Hence, whoever wishes to be healthy must grow lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes in his or her backyard." These statements exemplify a(n) _____.
A) report
B) illustration
C) explanation
D) unsupported assertion
E) chain argument

Accepted Answer

The statements form a chain argument, where each statement leads logically to the next, culminating in a conclusion based on the premises provided.

Question 6

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, 12^th ed.) This statement is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____. A) nonargument; report B) nonargument; conditional statement C) nonargument; illustration D) nonargument; unsupported assertion

Accepted Answer

The statement is a declaration of belief and values rather than an argument or a presentation of evidence to support a conclusion, making it a nonargument. It also describes the nature and principles of the United States, which classifies it as a report.

Question 7

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) This passage is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____. A) argument; conclusion: The Catholic Church should recognize female priests and allow married priests into active ministry B) nonargument; report C) nonargument; unsupported assertion D) nonargument; explanation

Accepted Answer

The passage presents an argument that concludes with the suggestion that the Catholic Church should recognize female priests and allow married priests into active ministry to alleviate the shortage of male priests and improve liturgies.

Question 8

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, 4^th ed.) This passage exemplifies a(n) _____. A) explanation B) report C) argument D) illustration E) unsupported assertion

Accepted Answer

The passage provides factual information about the California Psychological Inventory, including its development, revisions, and purpose, which aligns with the characteristics of a report.

Question 9

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) This passage is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____. A) nonargument; conditional statement B) nonargument; illustration C) argument; conclusion: For example, in contrasting science and religion, we often operate with a simple pair of categories D) argument; conclusion: Simple distinctions come all too easily

Accepted Answer

The passage provides an observation about how people often categorize science and religion, followed by an example to illustrate this point, rather than presenting a structured argument leading to a conclusion.

Question 10

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

Accepted Answer

The statement provides a reason for why narcotics are regulated or banned, making it an explanation of a policy or practice rather than an argument, illustration, conditional statement, or unsupported assertion.

Question 11

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)
This passage exemplifies a(n) _____.
A) report
B) unsupported assertion
C) illustration
D) argument
E) explanation

Accepted Answer

The passage is an example of an unsupported assertion because it expresses a strong opinion without providing evidence or reasoning to support the claim.

Question 12

According to Plato, the very essence of time is changing 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, 3^rded.) This passage exemplifies a(n) _____. A) argument B) explanation C) conditional statement D) unsupported assertion E) report

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to Plato, the very essence of...

Question 13

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)
This statement is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____.
A) nonargument; unsupported assertion
B) argument; conclusion: I think he is an airhead
C) nonargument; report
D) nonargument; explanation

Accepted Answer

The statement consists of a nonargument, as it expresses a personal opinion without providing evidence or reasoning, and an unsupported assertion, where the claim that George Bush is an airhead is made without any supporting argument or evidence.

Question 14

Indicator words provide clues that premises or conclusions are being offered.

Accepted Answer

Indicator words are specific terms or phrases used in arguments to signal the presence of premises or conclusions, helping to identify the structure of the argument.

Question 15

A statement can sometimes be expressed as a phrase or an incomplete clause, rather than as a complete declarative sentence.

Accepted Answer

A statement can be expressed in various forms, including phrases or incomplete clauses, as long as it conveys a complete idea or assertion.

Question 16

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

Accepted Answer

The sentence is a request or instruction, not a statement, as it asks someone to perform an action under a specific condition.

Question 17

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) This statement exemplifies a(n) _____. A) explanation B) unsupported assertion C) argument D) conditional statement E) illustration

Accepted Answer

The statement is an explanation because it provides a reason for the author's use of citations from recently read sources.

Question 18

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)
This passage is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____.
A) nonargument; conditional statement
B) nonargument; unsupported assertion
C) argument; conclusion: Guns are good and abortion is evil
D) argument; conclusion; There is something really, really wrong here

Accepted Answer

The passage presents an argument by contrasting views on guns and abortion, leading to the conclusion that there is a moral inconsistency or problem ("There is something really, really wrong going on here").

Question 19

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)
This passage is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____.
A) argument; conclusion: They should do something to stop them from profiting on these creatures
B) argument; conclusion: Cats, dogs, birds, fish are OK, but rodents, reptiles should not be caged and should remain in their own environment
C) nonargument; explanation
D) nonargument; unsupported assertion

Accepted Answer

The passage is a nonargument because it expresses an opinion without providing evidence or reasoning to support it, making it an unsupported assertion.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

This statement is a conditional statement because it presents a scenario with a condition ("if miracles are not possible") and a consequence ("then they cannot be actual").

Quiz 2: Recognizing Arguments

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) This statement is made up of a(n) _ and a(n) _.

"A student is considered to have passed a grade if he or she acquires a minimum of 50 percent marks in each subject." In this conditional statement, the part "A student is considered to have passed a grade" is the _____.

Because Mars is farther from the Sun than is the Earth, its temperatures are considerably lower. (Carl Sagan, Cosmos) This statement is made up of a(n) _ and a(n) _.

"Whoever wishes to be healthy eats salads. Salads have lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes. Lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes are easy to grow in the backyard. Hence, whoever wishes to be healthy must grow lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes in his or her backyard." These statements exemplify a(n) _____.

Because narcotics are highly addictive and potentially harmful, they are usually either regulated by prescription or banned outright. (Robert J. Sternberg, Pathways to Psychology) This statement is an example of a(n) _____.

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) This passage exemplifies a(n) _____.

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) This statement is made up of a(n) _ and a(n) _.

Indicator words provide clues that premises or conclusions are being offered.

A statement can sometimes be expressed as a phrase or an incomplete clause, rather than as a complete declarative sentence.

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

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) This statement exemplifies a(n) _____.

If miracles are not possible, then they cannot be actual. (Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli, Handbook of Christian Apologetics) This statement exemplifies a(n) _____.

Quiz 2: Recognizing Arguments

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) This statement is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____.

"A student is considered to have passed a grade if he or she acquires a minimum of 50 percent marks in each subject." In this conditional statement, the part "A student is considered to have passed a grade" is the _____.

Because Mars is farther from the Sun than is the Earth, its temperatures are considerably lower. (Carl Sagan, Cosmos) This statement is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____.

"Whoever wishes to be healthy eats salads. Salads have lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes. Lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes are easy to grow in the backyard. Hence, whoever wishes to be healthy must grow lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes in his or her backyard." These statements exemplify a(n) _____.

Because narcotics are highly addictive and potentially harmful, they are usually either regulated by prescription or banned outright. (Robert J. Sternberg, Pathways to Psychology) This statement is an example of a(n) _____.

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) This statement is made up of a(n) _____ and a(n) _____.

Indicator words provide clues that premises or conclusions are being offered.

A statement can sometimes be expressed as a phrase or an incomplete clause, rather than as a complete declarative sentence.

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

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) This statement exemplifies a(n) _____.

If miracles are not possible, then they cannot be actual. (Peter Kreeft and Ronald K. Tacelli, Handbook of Christian Apologetics) This statement exemplifies a(n) _____.

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) This statement is made up of a(n) _ and a(n) _.

Because Mars is farther from the Sun than is the Earth, its temperatures are considerably lower. (Carl Sagan, Cosmos) This statement is made up of a(n) _ and a(n) _.

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) This statement is made up of a(n) _ and a(n) _.