BCA Critical Thinking 4

Question 1

Which of the following best defines a 'straw man' fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Exaggerating or misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack

Answer

Citing a weak or unreliable authority to support a claim

Answer

Drawing a conclusion that does not follow from the premises

Answer

Assuming that one event caused another simply because it came first

Question 2

In an experiment, what is the purpose of a control group?

Accepted Answer

To provide a baseline comparison by not receiving the experimental treatment

Answer

To receive the highest dose of the experimental treatment

Answer

To ensure the experiment runs as quickly as possible

Answer

To represent the researchers' expected outcome

Question 3

Which approach best reflects strong critical thinking when reading a news article?

Accepted Answer

Identifying the author's credentials, publication bias, and checking other sources

Answer

Sharing the article immediately if it confirms your views

Answer

Trusting the article because it uses scientific-sounding language

Answer

Accepting the headline as a complete summary of the article

Question 4

The argument 'This herbal supplement must be safe because it is natural' commits which fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Appeal to nature

Answer

Appeal to authority

Answer

False equivalence

Answer

Circular reasoning

Question 5

Which of the following is the strongest evidence for a causal claim?

Accepted Answer

Results from a randomized controlled experiment replicated multiple times

Answer

A vivid anecdote from a well-known public figure

Answer

A high correlation found in a single observational study

Answer

An expert opinion published in a popular magazine

Question 6

A student concludes that video games cause aggression because aggressive teens play more video games. What is the flaw?

Accepted Answer

The student confused correlation with causation and ignored alternative explanations

Answer

The student used too many data points

Answer

The student failed to define 'aggression' precisely enough

Answer

The student relied on an appeal to authority

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Knowing all squares are rectangles and concluding a specific square is a rectangle

Answer

Observing 100 swans and concluding all swans are white

Answer

Noticing that every time it rains the grass gets wet, so rain causes wet grass

Answer

Guessing tomorrow's weather based on today's cloud patterns