ISASP Critical Thinking and Data Interpretation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a 'hasty generalization' as a logical fallacy?
- Drawing a broad conclusion from too little evidence or too few examples (Correct answer)
- Providing more evidence than needed to support a claim
- Agreeing with an argument based on emotions
- Citing a highly credible expert source
Correct answer: Drawing a broad conclusion from too little evidence or too few examples
A hasty generalization occurs when someone draws a sweeping conclusion from an insufficient number of examples.
Question 2: When analyzing an author's argument on ISASP, what should you look for?
- The claim, the evidence used to support it, and the reasoning connecting them (Correct answer)
- Only the conclusion paragraph
- The number of times the author repeats their main point
- Whether the author uses humor
Correct answer: The claim, the evidence used to support it, and the reasoning connecting them
A complete argument has a claim (position), evidence (facts/data/examples), and reasoning (logical connection between them).
Question 3: What does 'relevant evidence' mean in the context of ISASP writing tasks?
- Evidence that directly supports the specific claim being made, not just related to the general topic (Correct answer)
- Any fact mentioned anywhere in the source texts
- The longest quotation available in the text
- Evidence from personal experience only
Correct answer: Evidence that directly supports the specific claim being made, not just related to the general topic
Relevant evidence specifically supports the exact claim you are making, not merely the broad topic area.
Question 4: In a pie chart showing percentages, what must all the sections add up to?
- 100% (Correct answer)
- 50%
- 200%
- Any number depending on the data
Correct answer: 100%
A pie chart represents a whole divided into parts, so all sections must together equal 100% of the whole.
Question 5: What does 'bias' in an informational source mean?
- A tendency to favor one perspective or viewpoint over others, potentially affecting objectivity (Correct answer)
- A mistake in grammar or spelling in the text
- A citation that is outdated or no longer accurate
- A text that contains too many facts
Correct answer: A tendency to favor one perspective or viewpoint over others, potentially affecting objectivity
Bias involves a preference or prejudice that skews how information is presented, potentially misleading readers.
Question 6: What is the most reliable approach to answering ISASP text-dependent questions?
- Return to the text to find specific evidence before choosing or writing your answer (Correct answer)
- Use only background knowledge without rereading the passage
- Pick the answer that seems most familiar from previous learning
- Choose the longest answer option
Correct answer: Return to the text to find specific evidence before choosing or writing your answer
Text-dependent questions require answers grounded in the specific passage, not general knowledge or assumptions.
ISASP Critical Thinking and Data Interpretation 2
What is a 'hasty generalization' as a logical fallacy?