ILEARN Critical Thinking 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which strategy BEST helps a reader identify the main argument in a persuasive text?
- Count how many times a word is repeated
- Locate the thesis and supporting claims (Correct answer)
- Read only the title and first paragraph
- Focus on the pictures and charts
Correct answer: Locate the thesis and supporting claims
The thesis states the central claim, and supporting claims build the argument; together they reveal the author's main argument.
Question 2: A weather report predicts a 70% chance of rain. A student says, 'It will definitely rain.' This is an example of:
- Accurate interpretation of data
- Overgeneralization from probability (Correct answer)
- Circular reasoning
- A sound deductive argument
Correct answer: Overgeneralization from probability
Treating a probability as a certainty is an overgeneralization; 70% means it might not rain.
Question 3: What is a COUNTERARGUMENT used for in persuasive writing?
- To confuse the reader
- To acknowledge and then refute an opposing viewpoint (Correct answer)
- To replace the author's main claim
- To list facts without analysis
Correct answer: To acknowledge and then refute an opposing viewpoint
Addressing and then refuting a counterargument strengthens a persuasive essay by showing the author considered other views.
Question 4: Which of the following is the STRONGEST example of inductive reasoning?
- All mammals breathe air; a whale is a mammal; therefore a whale breathes air.
- Every dog I have ever seen has four legs; therefore all dogs probably have four legs. (Correct answer)
- If it rains, the ground gets wet; the ground is wet; therefore it rained.
- A is greater than B; B is greater than C; therefore A is greater than C.
Correct answer: Every dog I have ever seen has four legs; therefore all dogs probably have four legs.
Inductive reasoning draws a general conclusion from specific observations, making it probable but not certain.
Question 5: A politician says, 'You are either with us or against us.' Which fallacy is this?
- Ad hominem
- False dilemma (Correct answer)
- Hasty generalization
- Red herring
Correct answer: False dilemma
Presenting only two options when more exist is a false dilemma (either/or fallacy).
Question 6: When comparing two texts on the same topic, a critical thinker should FIRST:
- Decide which text is longer
- Identify each author's purpose and perspective (Correct answer)
- Choose the text with more pictures
- Pick whichever text confirms their existing belief
Correct answer: Identify each author's purpose and perspective
Understanding each author's purpose and perspective reveals potential bias and helps evaluate claims more fairly.
Question 7: A student concludes that a new study drug works because she got an A after using it once. What type of reasoning error is this?
- Straw man fallacy
- Hasty generalization (Correct answer)
- False analogy
- Circular reasoning
Correct answer: Hasty generalization
Drawing a broad conclusion from a single personal experience is a hasty generalization.
ILEARN Critical Thinking 3
Which strategy BEST helps a reader identify the main argument in a persuasive text?