Verbal: Boldface and Method of Reasoning Flashcards

The following argument contains two portions in boldface: '**Many economists believe that raising the minimum wage significantly increases unemployment among low-wage workers.** However, recent studies of regions that enacted large minimum wage increases found no significant rise in unemployment. **Therefore, the concern about minimum wage increases causing unemployment is overstated.**' The boldface portions play which roles in the argument?

Answer: The first is a position the argument ultimately disputes; the second is the argument's main conclusion

The argument introduces the economists' belief (first boldface) as a position it will challenge. The 'however' signals the counterevidence. The second boldface is the conclusion the argument draws from that counterevidence.

The following argument contains two boldface portions: '**Organic produce contains lower pesticide residues than conventionally grown food.** Some health advocates therefore recommend organic diets. **However, the scientific evidence that current pesticide exposure levels from conventional produce cause harm to human health is weak.**' The boldface portions play which roles?

Answer: The first is a premise the argument accepts; the second is a counterpoint that undermines the recommendation

The first boldface is stated as true (accepted premise). The second boldface uses 'however' to challenge the recommendation — it is a counterclaim undermining the health-based recommendation.

Argument: '**Studies show that workers who exercise regularly report higher job satisfaction.** Companies should therefore provide on-site fitness facilities. **Regular exercise has well-documented mental health benefits.**' The two boldface portions function as:

Answer: Both are premises supporting the conclusion that companies should provide fitness facilities

The conclusion (non-boldface) is that 'companies should provide fitness facilities.' Both boldface statements are premises supporting that recommendation: job satisfaction data + mental health benefits.

An argument uses the following method of reasoning: 'Violent crime rates in Cityville dropped 25% in the year after the new police chief implemented community policing. Therefore, community policing reduces violent crime.' Which of the following uses the same method of reasoning?

Answer: Study participants who took Supplement Z showed higher energy levels. Therefore, Supplement Z increases energy.

Both arguments follow the same pattern: an observed outcome follows an intervention, therefore the intervention caused the outcome (post hoc reasoning / temporal correlation implies causation).

Argument: '**Since the city introduced a plastic bag fee, the number of plastic bags used has declined 60%.** This is evidence that **economic incentives are effective tools for changing consumer behavior.** The city should expand the fee to other single-use plastics.' The boldface portions play which roles?

Answer: The first is specific evidence; the second is a generalized conclusion drawn from that evidence

The first boldface is specific empirical evidence (60% decline). The second boldface is the broader conclusion drawn from that evidence (economic incentives change behavior). The final sentence then applies this conclusion.

Method of reasoning question: 'Every high-performing team in the study had a clear project lead. Team Delta is a high-performing team. Therefore, Team Delta has a clear project lead.' This argument uses which method of reasoning?

Answer: Deductive reasoning: drawing a specific conclusion from general principles

This is a classic deductive syllogism: All high-performing teams have X (general rule) + Team Delta is high-performing (specific case) → Team Delta has X (specific conclusion). This is deductive.

Boldface question: '**The merger between TechCorp and DataInc is expected to create the largest data analytics company in the industry.** Critics argue this will harm competition. **Historically, large merged entities in tech have frequently encountered regulatory scrutiny and been required to divest certain assets.**' The two boldface statements function as:

Answer: The first is background context; the second is evidence supporting the critics' position

The first boldface sets the scene (background fact about the merger). The second boldface provides historical evidence that bolsters the critics' argument that competition harm could lead to regulatory action.

Method of reasoning: 'The novel by Author X received negative reviews from three major literary critics. Therefore, the novel is not worth reading.' The argument proceeds by:

Answer: Using the judgment of expert authorities to support a conclusion about quality

The argument cites the authority of major literary critics (experts) to support a quality judgment. This is an appeal to authority.

Boldface question: 'Some argue that social media algorithms cause political polarization by exposing users only to content matching their existing views. **Research, however, shows that most users encounter a diverse range of political content in their feeds.** **Yet exposure to diverse content does not necessarily lead to more moderate views;** heavy users may become more entrenched in their positions after encountering challenging perspectives.' The boldface portions play which roles?

Answer: The first contradicts the polarization argument; the second limits the significance of the first's finding

First boldface: refutes the algorithm-based explanation (users do see diverse content). Second boldface: 'yet' signals a qualification — diverse exposure doesn't guarantee moderation, limiting the first's implication.

Method of reasoning: 'Cities A, B, and C all implemented congestion pricing and saw a reduction in downtown traffic. Therefore, congestion pricing is an effective tool for reducing urban traffic.' This argument proceeds by:

Answer: Inductive generalization from specific cases to a broad conclusion

The argument observes specific instances (three cities) and generalizes to a broad conclusion about congestion pricing. This is inductive reasoning.

Boldface question: '**Employee engagement scores at our company have fallen for three consecutive quarters.** Management has proposed mandatory team-building retreats as a solution. **Employee surveys indicate that low engagement is primarily driven by compensation concerns, not social disconnection.**' The boldface portions play which roles?

Answer: The first presents evidence of a problem; the second challenges the proposed solution by identifying the actual cause

First boldface: establishes that a problem exists (declining engagement). Second boldface: identifies the cause as compensation, which undermines the management's retreat-based solution that targets social disconnection.

Method of reasoning question: 'If interest rates rise, mortgage costs increase. If mortgage costs increase, fewer people can afford homes. Therefore, if interest rates rise, fewer people can afford homes.' This argument uses:

Answer: Hypothetical syllogism: chaining conditional statements

This is a chain of conditional statements: If A then B; If B then C; Therefore if A then C. This is a hypothetical syllogism.

Boldface question: '**Our company's customer retention rate of 78% is below the industry average of 85%.** To improve retention, the marketing team recommends doubling social media advertising. **However, exit surveys show that customers leave primarily because of product quality issues, not lack of brand awareness.**' The boldface portions play which roles?

Answer: The first establishes the problem; the second undermines the proposed solution by redirecting attention to the true cause

First boldface: establishes the problem (retention gap). Second boldface: used after 'however' to challenge the marketing solution by pointing to product quality as the real driver — the proposed solution targets the wrong variable.

Method of reasoning: 'Candidate Z's claim that our unemployment rate is at a historic high is wrong. Unemployment is at 4.2%, which is lower than the rates seen in 2008-2012.' The argument proceeds by:

Answer: Providing a specific counterexample that contradicts a general claim

The argument rebuts a general claim ('historic high') by citing specific factual evidence (4.2% is lower than 2008-2012 rates) — a direct counterexample.

Boldface question: '**Online learning platforms have expanded access to high-quality education for millions worldwide.** Critics argue that online learners show lower completion rates than in-person students. **Completion rates, however, may reflect self-selection: those choosing online learning often juggle work and family obligations that make completion harder regardless of format.**' The boldface portions play which roles?

Answer: The first is a positive claim about online learning; the second is the author's defense of online learning against the critics' concern

First boldface: positive claim supporting online learning. Second boldface: defends online learning against the completion rate criticism by offering an alternative explanation (self-selection). Together they support the argument's favorable view of online learning.

An argument's method of reasoning: 'We should not change our current marketing strategy. It has worked well for the past five years, and there is no proven alternative that performs better.' This argument is best characterized as:

Answer: An appeal to tradition and absence of evidence for alternatives

The argument defends the status quo using two related moves: the strategy has worked (appeal to tradition/past success) and no proven alternative exists (absence of evidence for change). B captures both.

Boldface question: '**Research has shown that cities with higher public transit ridership have lower per-capita carbon emissions.** City Manager Williams proposes expanding the subway system to reduce emissions. **This correlation, however, may exist because low-emission cities tend to have denser urban cores, which independently promote both transit use and lower driving.**' The boldface portions play which roles?

Answer: The first is evidence for a proposal; the second questions whether the proposed cause-and-effect relationship holds

First boldface: the empirical evidence cited in support of transit expansion. Second boldface: a challenge (introduced by 'however') that the correlation may be explained by urban density, not transit — undermining the proposal's causal logic.

Method of reasoning: 'Dr. Chen is a leading cardiologist who states that moderate coffee consumption does not increase heart disease risk. Therefore, moderate coffee consumption is safe for the heart.' This argument proceeds by:

Answer: Appealing to the expertise of a credentialed authority to support a factual claim

The argument cites a cardiologist's expertise (authority) rather than presenting experimental data, analogies, or population statistics.

Boldface question: 'Some environmentalists claim that nuclear power plants pose unacceptable safety risks. **In the past 30 years, advances in reactor design have dramatically reduced the probability of catastrophic failure.** **Still, no method of safe long-term storage for nuclear waste has been universally agreed upon.** The debate over nuclear energy therefore remains unresolved.' The boldface portions play which roles?

Answer: The first supports a pro-nuclear argument; the second introduces a persisting concern that prevents a definitive conclusion

First boldface: evidence that safety has improved (pro-nuclear). Second boldface: persisting problem (waste storage) that tempers the favorable evidence. Together they support the 'debate remains unresolved' conclusion. B is correct.

Method of reasoning: 'If we allow students to submit AI-generated work, academic integrity will deteriorate. If academic integrity deteriorates, degree credentials will lose value. If degrees lose value, employers will find other ways to assess candidates. Therefore, allowing AI-generated submissions will eventually change how employers assess candidates.' This argument uses:

Answer: A slippery slope chain of linked consequences

The argument strings together a chain of if-then consequences, each following from the previous: AI submissions → integrity decline → degree devaluation → changed employer assessment. This is a causal chain/slippery slope.