Basic Ability Logical Deduction and Syllogisms Questions and Answers

Question 1

Given the following premises, which conclusion creates a valid syllogism?
Premise 1: All novels are books.
Premise 2: Some reference materials are not books.

Accepted Answer

Some reference materials are not novels.

Answer

All novels are reference materials.

Answer

No novels are reference materials.

Answer

Some books are not novels.

Question 2

A valid categorical syllogism requires three terms: a major term, a minor term, and a middle term. In the syllogism below, what is the middle term?

'All mammals are warm-blooded animals. All whales are mammals. Therefore, all whales are warm-blooded animals.'

Accepted Answer

Mammals

Answer

Warm-blooded animals

Answer

Whales

Answer

Animals

Question 3

Which of the following describes a syllogistic fallacy?

Statement 1: All dogs are mammals.
Statement 2: All cats are mammals.

Accepted Answer

Concluding 'Therefore, all dogs are cats.'

Answer

Concluding 'Therefore, some mammals are dogs.'

Answer

Concluding 'Therefore, no cats are dogs.'

Answer

Concluding 'Therefore, some cats are not mammals.'

Question 4

A marketing manager is presented with the following argument:
Premise 1: If we increase our social media budget, our website traffic will increase.
Premise 2: We increased our social media budget.
What is the logically valid conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Our website traffic will increase.

Answer

Our website traffic will decrease.

Answer

Our social media budget is now too high.

Answer

There is no relationship between the budget and traffic.

Question 5

According to the rules of syllogisms, which of the following combinations of premises is not permitted in a valid argument?

Accepted Answer

Two negative premises

Answer

Two universal premises

Answer

One universal and one particular premise

Answer

Two affirmative premises

Question 6

Analyze the following argument:
1. All professional athletes are in good physical condition.
2. Some musicians are professional athletes.
Which of the following conclusions is a logical deduction from the premises?

Accepted Answer

Some musicians are in good physical condition.

Answer

All musicians are in good physical condition.

Answer

No musician is in good physical condition.

Answer

All people in good physical condition are musicians.