AWA Identifying Logical Fallacies 5

Question 1

An essay argues: 'This drug must work because a Nobel Prize-winning physicist endorses it.' Without medical expertise, this endorsement represents:

Accepted Answer

Appeal to authority (irrelevant)

Answer

Ad hominem

Answer

False analogy

Answer

Bandwagon fallacy

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of circular reasoning (begging the question)?

Accepted Answer

'The Bible is true because the Bible says it is true.'

Answer

'The law is just because it was passed by a democratic government.'

Answer

'Most experts support this view, so it must be correct.'

Answer

'We cannot ban this book because censorship is wrong.'

Question 3

An AWA argument compares a company to a sports team, claiming 'Just as a team wins by having the best players, a company succeeds by hiring the best employees alone.' The weakness is a:

Accepted Answer

False analogy

Answer

Straw man

Answer

Post hoc fallacy

Answer

Slippery slope

Question 4

The statement 'We must act on this proposal now, or the consequences will be catastrophic' uses urgency to prevent deliberation. This tactic is known as:

Accepted Answer

False urgency / appeal to fear

Answer

Appeal to force (ad baculum)

Answer

Red herring

Answer

Slippery slope

Question 5

In evaluating an AWA argument, which question best helps identify a hasty generalization?

Accepted Answer

'Is the sample size and representativeness sufficient to support the broad conclusion?'

Answer

'Does the conclusion logically follow from the stated premises?'

Answer

'Does the arguer attack the person rather than the position?'

Answer

'Is there a hidden assumption connecting the evidence to the claim?'

Question 6

An arguer states: 'If you truly cared about the environment, you would support this specific bill.' This attempts to establish loyalty through an implied threat of hypocrisy, which is closest to:

Accepted Answer

Emotional appeal (appeal to guilt)

Answer

Appeal to flattery

Answer

False dichotomy

Answer

Tu quoque

Question 7

Which of the following strategies is most effective when critiquing a logical fallacy in an AWA essay?

Accepted Answer

Identify the fallacy, explain why the reasoning fails, and show what evidence or argument would actually be needed

Answer

Name the fallacy and move on without elaboration

Answer

Rewrite the argument in a form you agree with

Answer

Focus primarily on the author's credentials and motivations