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

Assumptions are unstated beliefs that the argument depends upon; identifying them is a core BCAT critical thinking skill.

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

Circular reasoning (begging the question) occurs when the conclusion is embedded in or identical to one of the premises.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

A conclusion drawn from available evidence

Answer

An inference is a logical step taken from evidence or premises to arrive at a conclusion.

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

The conclusion is the claim being argued for; here it is the causal claim about the law.

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

Weakening an argument means providing a reason to doubt the conclusion or undermine a key premise.

BCAT - Bar Course Aptitude Test Practice Test

BCAT - Bar Course Aptitude Test Practice Test

BCAT Critical Thinking 2