CLAST Logical Reasoning 5

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a valid deductive argument?

Accepted Answer

The premises are actually true

Answer

The conclusion follows necessarily from the premises

Answer

If the premises are true, the conclusion must be true

Answer

The argument's structure is logically correct

Question 2

The fallacy of 'appeal to ignorance' (argumentum ad ignorantiam) argues that:

Accepted Answer

Because something hasn't been proven false, it must be true

Answer

Because an expert says so, it must be true

Answer

Because many people believe it, it must be true

Answer

Because the idea is old, it must be true

Question 3

If 'Some cats are not indoor animals' is true, which of the following is logically possible?

Accepted Answer

Both A and C

Answer

No cats are indoor animals

Answer

All cats are indoor animals

Answer

Some cats are indoor animals

Question 4

Which of the following best defines a 'premise' in an argument?

Accepted Answer

A statement offered as evidence or reason to support a conclusion

Answer

The final statement that is being proved

Answer

A question used to challenge an opponent's view

Answer

A logical rule used to connect statements

Question 5

An argument's conclusion that goes far beyond what the evidence supports is an example of:

Accepted Answer

An overreaching or sweeping generalization

Answer

A valid inference

Answer

A sound deductive argument

Answer

Modus tollens

Question 6

Given: 'If the alarm rings, the building is being evacuated. The building is not being evacuated.' What follows?

Accepted Answer

The alarm is not ringing

Answer

The alarm is ringing

Answer

The alarm may or may not be ringing

Answer

The building may still be evacuated

Question 7

Which of the following is an example of the 'red herring' fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Responding to a question about budget cuts by talking about national security instead

Answer

Claiming that since A happened before B, A caused B

Answer

Arguing that because something is natural it must be good

Answer

Attacking the speaker's character instead of their argument