IDAT Critical Thinking and Analysis 2

Question 1

A study finds that students who eat breakfast score higher on tests. A researcher concludes that eating breakfast causes better test performance. What logical error does this conclusion make?

Accepted Answer

Correlation does not imply causation

Answer

A correlation between two variables does not establish that one causes the other; a third factor could explain both.

Question 2

Which of the following best illustrates an ad hominem fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Dismissing an argument because the person making it has a criminal record

Answer

Ad hominem attacks the character or background of the arguer rather than addressing the argument itself.

Question 3

A poll asks, 'Don't you agree that irresponsible drivers should face harsher penalties?' This question is problematic because it:

Accepted Answer

Assumes the premise that certain drivers are irresponsible

Answer

This is a loaded question — it embeds an assumption ('irresponsible drivers') that the respondent has not agreed to.

Question 4

Passage: 'Every student who joined the tutoring program improved their GPA. Therefore, the tutoring program is the reason for the improvement.' What assumption does this argument rely on?

Accepted Answer

No other factors contributed to the students' GPA improvement

Answer

The argument assumes tutoring is the sole cause, ignoring other variables like increased study time or easier courses.

Question 5

Which type of reasoning moves from specific observations to a general conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning

Answer

Inductive reasoning generalizes from specific cases, while deductive reasoning applies a general rule to a specific case.

(IDAT) International Diagnostic and Admission Test Practice Test

(IDAT) International Diagnostic and Admission Test Practice Test

IDAT Critical Thinking and Analysis 2