CCTST Analysis 2

Question 1

A researcher states: 'Students who eat breakfast perform better on tests.' Which of the following best identifies the implicit assumption in this claim?

Accepted Answer

Breakfast causes improved test performance

Answer

The claim assumes a causal relationship, but correlation between breakfast and performance does not itself establish causation.

Question 2

Which analytical approach best distinguishes between a premise and a conclusion in an argument?

Accepted Answer

A premise is a statement offered as support; a conclusion is what the argument tries to establish

Answer

Premises are the supporting reasons, while the conclusion is the claim those reasons are meant to justify.

Question 3

A passage argues: 'No elite athlete lacks discipline, and Maria is an elite athlete.' What follows necessarily?

Accepted Answer

Maria has discipline

Answer

From 'no elite athlete lacks discipline' and 'Maria is an elite athlete,' it necessarily follows that Maria has discipline.

Question 4

When analyzing an argument, identifying the 'scope' of a claim primarily helps to:

Accepted Answer

Determine whether the claim is too broad or too narrow for its evidence

Answer

Analyzing scope reveals whether the evidence actually supports the breadth of the claim being made.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of an argument by analogy?

Accepted Answer

Just as a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, a team is only as strong as its weakest member

Answer

An argument by analogy draws a parallel between two things and infers that what is true of one is true of the other.

(CCTST) California Critical Thinking Skills Test Practice Test

(CCTST) California Critical Thinking Skills Test Practice Test

CCTST Analysis 2