ASET Critical Thinking

Question 1

A student claims: 'All top students study at least 4 hours daily; Maria studies 4 hours daily, so Maria must be a top student.' What logical error is present?

Accepted Answer

Affirming the consequent

Answer

Affirming the consequent incorrectly concludes that because a result is true, the cause must also be true.

Question 2

Which of the following best strengthens the argument that daily reading improves academic performance?

Accepted Answer

Students who read daily score higher on standardized tests than those who do not

Answer

Direct evidence showing a correlation between daily reading and higher test scores strengthens the argument most effectively.

Question 3

If the statement 'No passing students failed the essay' is true, which conclusion is valid?

Accepted Answer

Students who failed the essay did not pass

Answer

If no passing student failed the essay, then by contrapositive, anyone who failed the essay did not pass.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a hasty generalization?

Accepted Answer

Two classmates cheated, so all students in the school cheat

Answer

Concluding that all students cheat based on only two cases is a hasty generalization from insufficient evidence.

Question 5

An argument's conclusion is supported by premises that assume the conclusion is already true. This is called:

Accepted Answer

Circular reasoning

Answer

Circular reasoning (begging the question) occurs when the conclusion is used as a premise to support itself.

ASET - Academic Selection Entrance Test Practice Test

ASET - Academic Selection Entrance Test Practice Test

ASET Critical Thinking