BCA Critical Thinking 5

Question 1

Which of the following is the best example of inductive reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Observing that the sun has risen every day in history and concluding it will rise tomorrow

Answer

All humans are mortal; Socrates is human; therefore Socrates is mortal

Answer

If it is raining, then the ground is wet; the ground is wet; therefore it is raining

Answer

Concluding a law is just because the majority voted for it

Question 2

What is the 'burden of proof' in an argument?

Accepted Answer

The responsibility of the person making a claim to provide evidence supporting it

Answer

The obligation of the audience to disprove every claim they hear

Answer

The requirement that both sides present equal amounts of evidence

Answer

The legal standard that must be met before any conclusion is accepted

Question 3

A debate opponent shifts the subject when pressed on a weakness in their argument. This is called:

Accepted Answer

Red herring

Answer

Modus tollens

Answer

Hasty generalization

Answer

Begging the question

Question 4

Which statement best describes 'begging the question'?

Accepted Answer

Using the conclusion as a premise in the argument without independent support

Answer

Asking the audience for rhetorical questions to make a point

Answer

Questioning the credibility of the opposing source

Answer

Raising a new question at the end of an argument

Question 5

Which practice helps reduce personal bias when evaluating an argument?

Accepted Answer

Actively seeking out and fairly considering perspectives that challenge your own

Answer

Only reading sources that you already trust

Answer

Focusing on arguments made by the most popular speakers

Answer

Accepting conclusions that feel intuitively correct

Question 6

A news headline reads: 'Coffee Drinkers Live Longer.' What is the most critical follow-up question?

Accepted Answer

Was the study observational or experimental, and were confounding variables controlled?

Answer

What brand of coffee was studied?

Answer

How many cups per day is the recommended amount?

Answer

Do tea drinkers also live longer?

Question 7

Which of the following logical forms is an example of 'modus tollens'?

Accepted Answer

If P then Q; Q is false; therefore P is false

Answer

If P then Q; P is true; therefore Q

Answer

P is true; Q is true; therefore P caused Q

Answer

Not P; therefore not Q