LNAT Critical Analysis 5

Question 1

A newspaper editorial states: 'Nine out of ten dentists recommend this toothpaste, so it must be the best.' What is the weakest point of this argument?

Accepted Answer

The sample of dentists and the criteria for 'best' are not specified

Answer

Without knowing how dentists were selected or what 'best' means, the claim cannot be properly evaluated.

Question 2

Which of the following most accurately distinguishes between 'deductive' and 'inductive' reasoning?

Accepted Answer

Deductive reasoning guarantees a true conclusion if premises are true; inductive reasoning only makes the conclusion probable

Answer

In valid deductive reasoning, true premises guarantee a true conclusion, while inductive reasoning yields only probable conclusions based on evidence.

Question 3

A court decision states: 'Because this defendant confessed, and confessions are reliable, he is guilty.' What assumption is the court relying on?

Accepted Answer

All confessions are always true and never coerced

Answer

The argument assumes confessions are inherently reliable, ignoring the possibility of false or coerced confessions.

Question 4

A commentator writes: 'Professor Smith supports rent control. But Smith was once arrested for tax evasion, so his economic views cannot be trusted.' This argument commits which fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Ad hominem

Answer

Attacking the professor's past conduct rather than addressing the merits of his economic argument is an ad hominem fallacy.

Question 5

Which of the following would most weaken the argument: 'Higher minimum wages cause unemployment because businesses cannot afford more labor costs'?

Accepted Answer

Some businesses have large profit margins and can absorb higher wages without cutting jobs

Answer

If many businesses have sufficient margins to absorb higher wages, the premise that they cannot afford higher costs—and must cut jobs—is undermined.

LNAT Practice Test

LNAT Practice Test

LNAT Critical Analysis 5