PAPA PAPA Critical Thinking & Logical Reasoning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?
- Observing many cases to form a general rule
- Applying a general rule to reach a specific conclusion (Correct answer)
- Guessing an outcome based on intuition
- Listing possible explanations
Correct answer: Applying a general rule to reach a specific conclusion
Deductive reasoning starts with a general premise and applies it to reach a specific, logical conclusion.
Question 2: When an author presents only evidence that supports one side of an issue, this is called:
- Objectivity
- Bias (Correct answer)
- Citation
- Synthesis
Correct answer: Bias
Bias occurs when a writer presents information in a way that unfairly favors one perspective.
Question 3: Which type of reasoning involves drawing general conclusions from specific observations?
- Deductive
- Inductive (Correct answer)
- Circular
- Analogical
Correct answer: Inductive
Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations to a broader general conclusion.
Question 4: A valid argument must have:
- True premises only
- A conclusion that logically follows from the premises (Correct answer)
- No counterarguments
- Popular support
Correct answer: A conclusion that logically follows from the premises
An argument is valid when its conclusion logically follows from its premises, regardless of whether those premises are true.
Question 5: Which of the following is an example of circular reasoning?
- The Bible is true because it says so in the Bible (Correct answer)
- Exercise is healthy because doctors recommend it
- Rain is wet because water is wet
- Plants grow because of sunlight
Correct answer: The Bible is true because it says so in the Bible
Circular reasoning uses the conclusion as a premise, as when a source is called reliable because it says it is.
Question 6: Evaluating the credibility of a source primarily involves checking:
- The source's popularity
- The author's expertise, evidence quality, and potential bias (Correct answer)
- The length of the source
- Whether the source agrees with your view
Correct answer: The author's expertise, evidence quality, and potential bias
Credibility depends on the author's qualifications, the quality of evidence provided, and any identifiable bias.
Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?