CCTST Deductive and Inductive 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A geologist finds the same type of rock layer in multiple locations and infers they were formed during the same geological period. This is an example of:
- Deductive reasoning from geological laws
- Inductive reasoning from observed patterns (Correct answer)
- A priori reasoning requiring no observation
- Hypothetical syllogism
Correct answer: Inductive reasoning from observed patterns
Inferring a general geological event from multiple observed rock layer patterns is inductive reasoning.
Question 2: Hypothetical syllogism is a valid deductive argument form. Which example correctly illustrates it?
- If A then B; A; therefore B
- If A then B; if B then C; therefore if A then C (Correct answer)
- If A then B; not B; therefore not A
- A or B; not A; therefore B
Correct answer: If A then B; if B then C; therefore if A then C
Hypothetical syllogism chains two conditional statements: if A→B and B→C, then A→C follows necessarily.
Question 3: A survey of 2,000 randomly selected US adults finds 63% support a policy. The researcher concludes that roughly 63% of all US adults support it. This is:
- A deductive certainty based on the sample
- An inductive statistical inference subject to margin of error (Correct answer)
- An invalid argument because surveys are unreliable
- A causal argument linking survey to public opinion
Correct answer: An inductive statistical inference subject to margin of error
Projecting sample statistics to a population is inductive reasoning, and results carry a margin of error.
Question 4: Which situation illustrates a SOUND deductive argument?
- All birds fly; penguins are birds; therefore penguins fly
- All mammals breathe air; whales are mammals; therefore whales breathe air (Correct answer)
- Most students study hard; Maria is a student; therefore Maria studies hard
- If it is cloudy, it will rain; it is cloudy; therefore it will definitely rain
Correct answer: All mammals breathe air; whales are mammals; therefore whales breathe air
This argument is valid (conclusion follows from premises) and sound because both premises are actually true.
Question 5: The CCTST evaluates inductive reasoning partly by testing whether test-takers can recognize when a conclusion:
- Necessarily follows from definitions alone
- Goes beyond what the evidence logically supports (Correct answer)
- Is stated in formal symbolic notation
- Contradicts one of its own premises
Correct answer: Goes beyond what the evidence logically supports
Recognizing that inductive conclusions can exceed evidential support is a key critical thinking skill assessed by the CCTST.
Question 6: Which argument uses disjunctive syllogism correctly?
- P or Q; P; therefore Q
- P or Q; not P; therefore Q (Correct answer)
- P or Q; P and Q; therefore neither
- P or Q; not Q; therefore not P
Correct answer: P or Q; not P; therefore Q
Disjunctive syllogism: given 'P or Q' and 'not P', the conclusion 'Q' follows validly.
Question 7: Which of the following BEST characterizes abductive reasoning compared to inductive and deductive reasoning?
- It guarantees the conclusion like deductive reasoning
- It selects the most likely explanation for observed facts, making it a form of inference to the best explanation (Correct answer)
- It generalizes from many instances like inductive reasoning
- It is identical to inductive reasoning in structure and outcome
Correct answer: It selects the most likely explanation for observed facts, making it a form of inference to the best explanation
Abductive reasoning selects the hypothesis that best explains the evidence, making it inference to the best explanation rather than generalization.
CCTST Deductive and Inductive 5
A geologist finds the same type of rock layer in multiple locations and infers they were formed during the same geological period.
This is an example of: