BCAT Argument Analysis

Question 1

An argument concludes: 'Tougher sentencing deters crime.' Which of the following, if true, most strengthens this argument?

Accepted Answer

Studies show that jurisdictions with mandatory minimums have significantly lower recidivism rates

Answer

Judges often disagree about appropriate sentence lengths

Answer

Some offenders are unaware of potential punishments before committing crimes

Answer

Crime rates are influenced by economic conditions

Question 2

Which of the following most weakens the argument: 'CCTV cameras reduce street crime because crime fell 20% after their installation'?

Accepted Answer

Other cities without cameras also reported falling crime

Answer

Police patrols were also doubled in the same period

Answer

The cameras cost $2 million to install

Answer

Crime had been rising for five years before installation

Question 3

A BCAT argument states: 'Legal aid must be preserved because everyone deserves access to justice.' What is the underlying assumption?

Accepted Answer

Without legal aid, some people cannot afford access to justice

Answer

Legal aid is the only way to access justice

Answer

All lawyers support legal aid

Answer

Legal aid is always effective

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a valid deductive argument?

Accepted Answer

All contracts require consideration; this agreement has consideration; therefore it is a contract

Answer

Most lawyers pass the bar; Sarah is a lawyer; therefore she passed the bar

Answer

Crime is falling; therefore policing is improving

Answer

The defendant was angry; therefore he committed the crime

Question 5

The argument: 'We should lower the voting age because young people are affected by political decisions' is best classified as:

Accepted Answer

An appeal to relevance — those affected should have a say

Answer

An ad hominem attack

Answer

A straw man argument

Answer

A circular argument

Question 6

In a BCAT argument analysis question, 'the main conclusion' is distinguished from 'intermediate conclusions' because:

Accepted Answer

The main conclusion is the ultimate claim the argument aims to establish, while intermediate conclusions support it

Answer

The main conclusion always appears first in the passage

Answer

Intermediate conclusions are always based on facts, while the main conclusion is based on opinion

Answer

The main conclusion requires no supporting premises