ISAT Analyzing and Extending Ideas 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A researcher concludes that exercise improves mood based on a study of 50 college athletes. Which limitation most undermines this conclusion?
- The study was too short in duration
- The sample lacks diversity and may not generalize to other populations (Correct answer)
- Exercise data was self-reported by participants
- The study did not measure physical health outcomes
Correct answer: The sample lacks diversity and may not generalize to other populations
A non-diverse sample of college athletes limits generalizability to the broader population.
Question 2: An author argues that social media causes loneliness, citing that heavy users report feeling more isolated. What logical error does this argument contain?
- Hasty generalization
- Confusing correlation with causation (Correct answer)
- Appeal to authority
- False dilemma
Correct answer: Confusing correlation with causation
The argument assumes social media causes loneliness, but lonely people may simply use social media more.
Question 3: A passage states: 'All effective leaders are decisive. Maria is decisive. Therefore, Maria is an effective leader.' What flaw does this reasoning contain?
- The conclusion contradicts the premises
- It assumes the converse of the original statement is true (Correct answer)
- It relies on anecdotal evidence
- It uses circular reasoning
Correct answer: It assumes the converse of the original statement is true
The argument incorrectly assumes that being decisive guarantees being an effective leader, which is not supported by the original premise.
Question 4: Which approach best extends the claim that 'urban green spaces reduce stress' to a policy recommendation?
- Require all citizens to visit parks weekly
- Mandate green space quotas in urban planning regulations (Correct answer)
- Ban construction in all existing parks
- Fund research into alternative stress-reduction methods
Correct answer: Mandate green space quotas in urban planning regulations
Mandating green space in urban planning directly applies the evidence to create sustainable policy.
Question 5: A study finds that students who eat breakfast score higher on tests. A classmate concludes that eating breakfast makes students smarter. What is the most appropriate critique?
- The study sample was too large
- Smarter students may be more likely to eat breakfast due to better habits overall (Correct answer)
- Test scores are not a valid measure of intelligence
- The study should have included more subjects
Correct answer: Smarter students may be more likely to eat breakfast due to better habits overall
The relationship may be reversed or driven by a third variable, so intelligence causing better habits is equally plausible.
Question 6: An essay argues that libraries are obsolete because internet access is widespread. Which counterargument most effectively challenges this?
- Libraries have been around for centuries
- Libraries provide equitable access to resources and services for those without reliable internet (Correct answer)
- The internet contains more information than any library
- Libraries cost taxpayers too much money
Correct answer: Libraries provide equitable access to resources and services for those without reliable internet
Libraries serve communities who lack internet access, directly challenging the assumption of universal connectivity.
Question 7: A graph shows ice cream sales and drowning rates both peak in summer. What is the most accurate interpretation?
- Ice cream causes drowning incidents
- A third variable — hot weather — likely explains both trends (Correct answer)
- Drowning prevention efforts should target ice cream sellers
- The data proves summer is dangerous
Correct answer: A third variable — hot weather — likely explains both trends
Both variables are driven by summer heat, making this a classic case of a confounding variable.
ISAT Analyzing and Extending Ideas 2
A researcher concludes that exercise improves mood based on a study of 50 college athletes.
Which limitation most undermines this conclusion?