ISAT - International Student Admissions Argument Evaluation and Flaws 2

Question 1

A politician argues: 'Country X banned plastic bags and saw a 10% reduction in ocean pollution. Therefore, if we ban plastic bags, we will also see a 10% reduction.' What flaw is present?

Accepted Answer

Assuming that results from one country will directly transfer to another with potentially different circumstances

Answer

Appeal to emotion

Answer

Straw man fallacy

Answer

Circular reasoning

Question 2

An editorial states: 'Professor Smith, a renowned physicist, says that the new economic policy will fail. We should take his expert opinion seriously.' What is the primary flaw?

Accepted Answer

Expertise in physics does not constitute expertise in economics -- this is an inappropriate appeal to authority

Answer

The professor might be biased

Answer

The economic policy hasn't been tried yet

Answer

The editorial doesn't present counterarguments

Question 3

'Since we started using the new textbook, test scores have improved by 15%. The new textbook is clearly more effective than the old one.' Evaluate this argument.

Accepted Answer

The argument assumes the textbook is the only variable that changed and ignores potential confounding factors

Answer

The argument is logically sound because improved scores prove textbook effectiveness

Answer

The 15% improvement is too small to be meaningful

Answer

The argument is valid because textbooks directly determine test scores

Question 4

'We should not adopt renewable energy because solar panels require mining for rare earth minerals, which harms the environment.' Identify the argumentative flaw.

Accepted Answer

The argument uses a part-to-whole flaw, judging an entire category by one component's drawback while ignoring net environmental comparison

Answer

The claim about mining is factually incorrect

Answer

Renewable energy is too expensive

Answer

The argument is logically valid

Question 5

A company CEO states: 'Our employees are happy because our turnover rate is lower than the industry average.' Which assumption makes this argument most vulnerable?

Accepted Answer

That low turnover necessarily indicates employee satisfaction rather than factors like limited alternative employment or compensation lock-in

Answer

That the industry average is accurately measured

Answer

That the CEO has access to turnover data

Answer

That employee happiness is important for business

Question 6

'If we allow students to use calculators in class, soon they won't be able to do any math without technology, and eventually they'll lose all ability to think logically.' What type of flaw is this?

Accepted Answer

Slippery slope -- the argument assumes an extreme chain of consequences without demonstrating that each step necessarily follows

Answer

Ad hominem attack

Answer

False dilemma

Answer

Begging the question