AWA Evidence Evaluation & Support 2

Question 1

An AWA argument states: 'Our city's crime rate dropped 15% after installing surveillance cameras, so cameras prevent crime.' What is the primary flaw in using this statistic as evidence?

Accepted Answer

Correlation is presented as causation without ruling out other factors

Answer

The percentage is too small to be meaningful

Answer

Crime statistics are never reliable data sources

Answer

The evidence is anecdotal rather than statistical

Question 2

Which type of evidence would most strengthen an AWA argument claiming that a new training program improves employee productivity?

Accepted Answer

Controlled study comparing productivity metrics before and after training across multiple departments

Answer

A testimonial from one satisfied manager

Answer

An expert opinion stating training programs are generally beneficial

Answer

A list of companies that have adopted similar programs

Question 3

An argument concludes that Brand X coffee is superior because it outsells all competitors. What logical gap exists in this evidence?

Accepted Answer

Popularity does not necessarily indicate quality or superiority

Answer

Sales figures are never accurate

Answer

The argument should use taste-test data instead

Answer

Brand X may not be available in all markets

Question 4

In evaluating AWA evidence, what does 'cherry-picking' refer to?

Accepted Answer

Citing only evidence that supports the conclusion while ignoring contradictory data

Answer

Selecting only the most recent data points

Answer

Using fruit industry statistics as analogies

Answer

Relying exclusively on peer-reviewed sources

Question 5

An AWA prompt argues: 'Studies show people who eat breakfast perform better at work, so the company should provide free breakfast.' Which assumption most needs support?

Accepted Answer

That providing free breakfast will cause employees to eat it and replicate study conditions

Answer

That the studies were conducted recently

Answer

That performance metrics are accurately measured

Answer

That breakfast foods are nutritionally adequate

Question 6

Which approach best demonstrates strong evidence evaluation in an AWA essay critique?

Accepted Answer

Identifying specific alternative explanations that the evidence fails to eliminate

Answer

Agreeing with all evidence provided to avoid bias

Answer

Focusing only on spelling and grammar errors in the prompt

Answer

Restating the evidence in different words to show comprehension

Question 7

An argument uses a survey of 50 employees at one company to conclude that all workers nationwide prefer remote work. What is the central evidential weakness?

Accepted Answer

The sample is too small and unrepresentative to support a nationwide generalization

Answer

Surveys are subjective and unreliable

Answer

Employee preferences change too frequently to measure

Answer

Remote work data should come from government sources only