FSOT Logical Reasoning 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A task force concludes: 'Since Proposal A failed, we should adopt Proposal B.' The unstated assumption is:
- Proposal B is more expensive than A
- Proposal B is the only remaining alternative (Correct answer)
- Proposal A was poorly implemented
- Proposal B has been tested before
Correct answer: Proposal B is the only remaining alternative
The jump from 'A failed' to 'adopt B' assumes B is the only other option — a false dilemma unless additional context supports it.
Question 2: In scheduling five meetings — V, W, X, Y, Z — Y must occur before W, and W must occur before Z. If X is third, which meeting CANNOT be first?
- V
- Y
- W (Correct answer)
- Z
Correct answer: W
W must come after Y but before Z, so W needs at least two meetings before it; if X is third, W cannot be first.
Question 3: Country R's foreign minister says trade always follows the flag. Country S increased its diplomatic presence in Country T and trade with T declined. This evidence:
- Proves the minister's claim is false in all cases
- Provides a potential counterexample that weakens the claim (Correct answer)
- Supports the minister's claim indirectly
- Is irrelevant because S and T are developing nations
Correct answer: Provides a potential counterexample that weakens the claim
One counterexample weakens a universal claim but does not definitively disprove it — additional context may explain the anomaly.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of an ad hominem fallacy in foreign policy debate?
- The senator's bill ignores economic data
- We should reject the ambassador's analysis because she once worked for a lobbying firm (Correct answer)
- Sanctions have historically failed in similar contexts
- The treaty does not address human rights concerns
Correct answer: We should reject the ambassador's analysis because she once worked for a lobbying firm
Rejecting an argument based on the person's background rather than the argument's merits is an ad hominem fallacy.
Question 5: A demographic study shows that populations aged 15–24 are the fastest-growing segment in Country K. What policy inference is MOST logically warranted?
- Country K will experience political instability
- Country K should invest in youth employment and education programs (Correct answer)
- Country K's economy will automatically grow
- Country K must increase immigration controls
Correct answer: Country K should invest in youth employment and education programs
A rapidly growing youth population logically points to increased demand for education and employment — a data-supported, non-speculative inference.
Question 6: If the embassy is closed on a national holiday, visa services are suspended. The embassy is not closed today. What can be concluded?
- Visa services are running today
- Today is not a national holiday
- Visa services may or may not be running today (Correct answer)
- The embassy is open every day except national holidays
Correct answer: Visa services may or may not be running today
The conditional only tells us what happens when the embassy IS closed; its being open does not guarantee visa services are running — other reasons could suspend them.
Question 7: An FSO writes: 'The protest was small, so the government is stable.' Which logical principle does this argument violate?
- Hasty generalization — drawing broad conclusions from insufficient evidence (Correct answer)
- False analogy — comparing incomparable situations
- Straw man — misrepresenting the opposition's argument
- Appeal to authority — relying solely on official sources
Correct answer: Hasty generalization — drawing broad conclusions from insufficient evidence
Inferring overall government stability from a single small protest is a hasty generalization unsupported by broader evidence.
FSOT Logical Reasoning 5
A task force concludes: 'Since Proposal A failed, we should adopt Proposal B.' The unstated assumption is: