ILEARN Critical Thinking 2

Question 1

A student reads two articles about the same science experiment — one says it succeeded, the other says it failed. What is the BEST first step?

Accepted Answer

Check who conducted and funded each study

Answer

Identifying the source, author credentials, and funding helps evaluate the reliability and potential bias of each article.

Question 2

Which question best helps a reader identify an author's BIAS?

Accepted Answer

What point of view does the author consistently favor?

Answer

Recognizing a pattern of favoring one viewpoint reveals potential bias in the author's reasoning.

Question 3

A graph shows rising ice cream sales and rising drowning rates in summer. What logical error would it be to conclude that ice cream causes drowning?

Accepted Answer

Correlation vs. causation

Answer

Both trends are caused by hot weather (a third variable), so confusing correlation with causation is the error.

Question 4

When evaluating an argument, what does it mean if a premise is TRUE but the conclusion does NOT logically follow?

Accepted Answer

The argument is invalid

Answer

If the conclusion does not logically follow from the premises, the argument is invalid regardless of whether the premises are true.

Question 5

A classmate argues, 'Everyone is buying this phone, so it must be the best one.' Which fallacy is this?

Accepted Answer

Bandwagon (ad populum)

Answer

The bandwagon fallacy assumes something is good or true simply because many people believe or do it.

(ILEARN) Indiana Learning Evaluation Assessment Readiness Network Practice Test