AWA Critical Thinking & Argument Analysis 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An argument claims: 'City A implemented bike lanes and cycling injuries dropped; therefore, bike lanes reduce injuries.' Which flaw is most apparent?
- Confusing correlation with causation (Correct answer)
- Using an overly broad sample
- Appealing to tradition
- Committing a false analogy
Correct answer: Confusing correlation with causation
The argument assumes bike lanes caused the drop without ruling out other explanations, confusing correlation with causation.
Question 2: In evaluating an AWA argument, what is the purpose of identifying 'unstated assumptions'?
- To expose gaps the argument depends on but never proves (Correct answer)
- To rewrite the argument in a stronger form
- To provide counterexamples from personal experience
- To determine the author's political viewpoint
Correct answer: To expose gaps the argument depends on but never proves
Unstated assumptions are the hidden premises that must be true for the argument to work; exposing them reveals the argument's vulnerabilities.
Question 3: A report argues that a town's water quality improved because a new filtration plant opened. Which finding would most UNDERMINE this conclusion?
- A major polluting factory upstream closed the same month the plant opened (Correct answer)
- The filtration plant cost twice the original budget
- Residents reported the water tastes better
- The plant was built by a company with an environmental award
Correct answer: A major polluting factory upstream closed the same month the plant opened
If the factory closed simultaneously, it is an alternative explanation for improved water quality, undermining the plant's claimed role.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of a 'false dilemma' fallacy?
- 'We must either increase taxes or cut all social services—there is no other option.' (Correct answer)
- 'Studies show that exercise improves mood in most people.'
- 'The general said we should trust this strategy, so it must be correct.'
- 'Sales fell because we changed our logo last year.'
Correct answer: 'We must either increase taxes or cut all social services—there is no other option.'
A false dilemma presents only two options when more exist, forcing a choice between extremes.
Question 5: When analyzing evidence quality in an AWA argument, which source should be treated with the most skepticism?
- A study funded exclusively by the company that benefits from its positive results (Correct answer)
- A peer-reviewed meta-analysis published in a leading journal
- Government census data collected independently
- A university research report with disclosed methodology
Correct answer: A study funded exclusively by the company that benefits from its positive results
Funding bias can influence study design, analysis, and reporting, making industry-funded research with a financial stake less reliable.
Question 6: An argument's premise states: 'Our new training program increased employee scores by 20%.' What additional information is most critical to evaluate this claim?
- What the scores measured and whether those metrics predict real job performance (Correct answer)
- The cost of the training program
- How many employees participated in the program
- Whether the program was mandatory or voluntary
Correct answer: What the scores measured and whether those metrics predict real job performance
A 20% score increase is only meaningful if the scores measure something that matters for actual job performance.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes a 'slippery slope' fallacy in argumentation?
- Claiming that one event will inevitably lead to an extreme chain of negative consequences without evidence (Correct answer)
- Drawing a comparison between two unrelated situations
- Using emotional language to manipulate the reader
- Arguing from a single case to a universal rule
Correct answer: Claiming that one event will inevitably lead to an extreme chain of negative consequences without evidence
A slippery slope fallacy assumes that a first step will inevitably cascade into extreme outcomes, without showing why each step must follow.
AWA Critical Thinking & Argument Analysis 3
An argument claims: 'City A implemented bike lanes and cycling injuries dropped; therefore, bike lanes reduce injuries.' Which flaw is most apparent?