LNAT Evaluating Argument Strengths 2

Question 1

An argument concludes that banning fast food near schools will reduce childhood obesity because children cannot access it during school hours. Which flaw best describes this reasoning?

Accepted Answer

It ignores that children can access fast food outside school hours

Answer

The argument ignores that the restriction only applies during a fraction of children's daily time, leaving ample opportunity for access.

Question 2

A politician argues: 'Crime rates fell after we hired more police, so more police caused the crime reduction.' This argument is weakened most by which consideration?

Accepted Answer

Other factors, such as economic improvement, may have caused the reduction

Answer

Post hoc reasoning mistakes temporal sequence for causation; other concurrent changes could explain the crime reduction.

Question 3

Which of the following most strengthens the argument that mandatory helmet laws reduce cycling fatalities?

Accepted Answer

Countries that introduced mandatory helmet laws saw immediate drops in cycling deaths

Answer

Direct evidence of fatality reductions following the introduction of mandatory helmet laws provides strong causal support.

Question 4

A company claims its supplement is effective because 80% of users reported feeling better. What is the primary weakness of this evidence?

Accepted Answer

It relies on self-reported outcomes without a control group

Answer

Without a control group, it is impossible to separate the supplement's effect from the placebo effect or natural recovery.

Question 5

Argument: 'No evidence of harm has been found, so the chemical must be safe.' This reasoning exemplifies which fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Appeal to ignorance

Answer

An appeal to ignorance treats the absence of evidence as positive evidence of safety, which is logically invalid.

LNAT - Law National Aptitude Test Practice Test

LNAT - Law National Aptitude Test Practice Test

LNAT Evaluating Argument Strengths 2