BCAT Critical Thinking 2

Question 1

When evaluating an argument in a BCAT passage, the term 'assumption' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A claim the argument relies on but does not explicitly state

Answer

A stated premise supporting the conclusion

Answer

A counterargument offered by the opponent

Answer

A factual error in the passage

Question 2

Which of the following is the strongest evidence that an argument contains circular reasoning?

Accepted Answer

The conclusion is used as one of the premises

Answer

The argument has more than two premises

Answer

The conclusion is surprising or counterintuitive

Answer

The premises rely on expert testimony

Question 3

In a BCAT-style argument, an 'inference' is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

A conclusion drawn from available evidence

Answer

A premise stated at the start

Answer

A definition provided in the passage

Answer

An emotional appeal to the reader

Question 4

Which option correctly identifies the conclusion in the following argument? 'Crime rates fell after the law changed. The law must have caused the drop.'

Accepted Answer

The law must have caused the drop

Answer

Crime rates fell

Answer

The law changed

Answer

None of the above

Question 5

A BCAT question asks you to 'weaken the argument.' This means you must find a statement that:

Accepted Answer

Makes the conclusion less likely to be true

Answer

Supports one of the premises

Answer

Introduces a new but unrelated topic

Answer

Defines a key term differently

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of the 'slippery slope' fallacy?

Accepted Answer

If we allow one exception to this rule, society will eventually collapse into lawlessness

Answer

The defendant was seen near the scene, so he is guilty

Answer

All lawyers passed the bar; she is a lawyer, so she passed the bar

Answer

We should trust this expert because she has a law degree