NBT Critical Thinking & Argument Evaluation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A study shows that students who eat breakfast perform better on tests. A school then mandates breakfast for all students. What hidden assumption underlies this policy decision?
- Students who skip breakfast are less intelligent
- The correlation between breakfast and performance is causal (Correct answer)
- All students have equal access to food at home
- Test performance is the only measure of student success
Correct answer: The correlation between breakfast and performance is causal
The policy assumes the association is causal, but the study's correlation alone does not prove eating breakfast causes better performance.
Question 2: Which of the following statements is a fact rather than an opinion?
- The new tax policy is unfair to middle-class families
- The tax rate was increased by 3% in the most recent fiscal year (Correct answer)
- Citizens should always prioritize economic growth over equality
- The government spends money more wisely than private companies
Correct answer: The tax rate was increased by 3% in the most recent fiscal year
A percentage increase in tax rate is an objective, verifiable measurement, making it a fact.
Question 3: What does it mean for an argument to be 'valid but unsound'?
- The conclusion is true, but the premises are irrelevant
- The logical structure is correct, but at least one premise is false (Correct answer)
- The argument uses emotional language instead of logic
- The conclusion contradicts the premises
Correct answer: The logical structure is correct, but at least one premise is false
A valid argument has correct logical form, but soundness also requires true premises — an argument can be valid without being sound.
Question 4: An advertisement claims: 'Nine out of ten dentists recommend our toothpaste!' What critical question should you ask first?
- Is toothpaste necessary for dental health?
- How many and which dentists were surveyed, and who conducted the survey? (Correct answer)
- Does the toothpaste contain fluoride?
- Are the other dentists less qualified?
Correct answer: How many and which dentists were surveyed, and who conducted the survey?
The sample size, selection method, and who funded the survey directly affect the credibility of the statistic.
Question 5: Which logical structure correctly represents a valid modus tollens argument?
- If P then Q; P is true; therefore Q is true
- If P then Q; Q is false; therefore P is false (Correct answer)
- If P then Q; Q is true; therefore P is true
- If P then Q; P is false; therefore Q is false
Correct answer: If P then Q; Q is false; therefore P is false
Modus tollens denies the consequent (Q is false) to validly conclude the antecedent (P) must also be false.
Question 6: A speaker says: 'If we allow students to redo one assignment, soon they'll expect to redo every exam and eventually earn grades without doing any work.' This is an example of:
- Ad hominem
- Straw man fallacy
- Slippery slope fallacy (Correct answer)
- Begging the question
Correct answer: Slippery slope fallacy
The slippery slope fallacy assumes one small action will inevitably lead to extreme consequences without evidence for each step.
Question 7: What is the best way to identify the main conclusion of a complex argument?
- Find the longest and most detailed sentence in the passage
- Identify the statement that all other claims are designed to support (Correct answer)
- Choose the first claim made by the author
- Look for the statement that uses the most emotional language
Correct answer: Identify the statement that all other claims are designed to support
The main conclusion is the central claim that the premises and supporting statements are all working to establish.
NBT Critical Thinking & Argument Evaluation 3
A study shows that students who eat breakfast perform better on tests.
A school then mandates breakfast for all students.
What hidden assumption underlies this policy decision?