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

Validity concerns only the logical structure — a valid argument can have false premises; soundness requires both validity and true premises.

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

Appeal to ignorance treats the absence of disproof as positive evidence for a claim, which is not logically justified.

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

Knowing some cats are not indoor animals is compatible with either none or some (but not all) being 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

Premises are the supporting statements in an argument that provide the basis from which a conclusion is drawn.

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 sweeping or overreaching generalization draws a conclusion that is much broader than the evidence actually warrants.

CLAST - College Level Academic Skills Test Practice Test