Logical Reasoning & Argument Analysis Flashcards
7 cards from real SAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Logical Reasoning & Argument Analysis flashcards as text
Which choice best describes a 'straw man' argument?
Answer: Misrepresenting an opponent's view to refute it easily
A straw man distorts the original position to make it easier to attack.
'Either we cut the budget or the company fails.' What reasoning error is this?
Answer: False dilemma
Presenting only two choices when more exist is a false dilemma.
An essay argues homework should be reduced and supports it with a personal anecdote about one stressed student. The main weakness is that the evidence is:
Answer: Anecdotal and not representative
A single anecdote cannot reliably support a broad conclusion.
Which choice most strengthens the argument 'The new fertilizer increases crop yield'?
Answer: A large controlled trial showed higher yields with it
A controlled trial provides direct evidence supporting the causal claim.
In the sentence 'Most successful people wake early, so waking early causes success,' the flaw is that it ignores:
Answer: Possible reverse or alternative causes
It overlooks other explanations or that success might cause early waking.
Which is the conclusion in: 'Because exercise lowers stress, and lower stress improves health, exercise improves health'?
Answer: Exercise improves health
The final claim that follows from the premises is the conclusion.
A debater says, 'If we allow students to retake one test, soon they'll demand to retake everything and standards will collapse.' This is which fallacy?
Answer: Slippery slope
Assuming one small step inevitably leads to extreme outcomes is a slippery slope.