LNAT Evaluating Argument Strengths 4

Question 1

An argument concludes that because violent video games are popular among teenagers who commit crimes, video games cause violence. What is the strongest counter-argument?

Accepted Answer

Correlation between two variables does not establish that one causes the other

Answer

Correlation does not imply causation; a common background factor could explain both gaming habits and criminal behavior.

Question 2

Which type of reasoning moves from specific observations to a general conclusion?

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning

Answer

Inductive reasoning generalizes from specific cases to broader conclusions, making it inherently probabilistic.

Question 3

A passage argues that since ancient Romans used lead pipes and suffered health problems, modern societies using plastic pipes will also suffer health problems. What is the main flaw?

Accepted Answer

The analogy is weak because plastic and lead have very different chemical properties

Answer

A false analogy occurs when two compared situations differ in ways that are critical to the conclusion.

Question 4

A think-tank report argues that cutting corporation tax increases government revenue because companies expand and pay more total tax. Which assumption is essential to this argument?

Accepted Answer

The tax cut will be large enough to stimulate significant economic growth

Answer

The argument depends on the cut being sufficient to trigger enough growth that total tax receipts actually increase, a condition known as the Laffer curve assumption.

Question 5

Which of the following statements about argument structure is correct?

Accepted Answer

A valid argument with all true premises must have a true conclusion

Answer

Soundness requires both validity (correct logical form) and true premises, which together guarantee a true conclusion.

LNAT - Law National Aptitude Test Practice Test

LNAT - Law National Aptitude Test Practice Test

LNAT Evaluating Argument Strengths 4