STAT Evaluating Written Arguments 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An argument concludes that a town's high cancer rate is caused by a nearby factory because the factory opened before cancer rates rose. What fallacy does this commit?
- False dilemma
- Post hoc ergo propter hoc (Correct answer)
- Hasty generalisation
- Circular reasoning
Correct answer: Post hoc ergo propter hoc
The post hoc fallacy assumes that because one event followed another, the first caused the second, ignoring other possible explanations.
Question 2: A philosopher states: 'We cannot trust the government's environmental data because the government funds environmental programs.' This argument is an example of:
- A genetic fallacy (Correct answer)
- A false analogy
- An appeal to consequences
- An argument from silence
Correct answer: A genetic fallacy
The genetic fallacy dismisses information based solely on its origin rather than evaluating the data itself.
Question 3: Passage: 'If teenagers were taught financial literacy in school, they would make better financial decisions as adults.' Which of the following pieces of evidence would MOST strongly support this claim?
- Many adults report wishing they had learned about finances earlier
- A longitudinal study found that adults who received school-based financial education had significantly lower debt levels (Correct answer)
- Financial advisors agree that young people lack money skills
- Countries with strong economies often include financial education in their curricula
Correct answer: A longitudinal study found that adults who received school-based financial education had significantly lower debt levels
A longitudinal study tracking actual outcomes in adulthood provides direct evidence linking the cause (school education) to the claimed effect (better decisions).
Question 4: A journalist argues: 'Violent video games cause aggression because teenagers who play them are more aggressive.' What critical piece of information is missing from this argument?
- The names of the video games studied
- Whether aggressive teenagers are more likely to choose violent games in the first place (Correct answer)
- The age range of the teenagers surveyed
- Whether the games are rated for mature audiences
Correct answer: Whether aggressive teenagers are more likely to choose violent games in the first place
Without ruling out reverse causation — that aggressive individuals are drawn to violent games — the causal direction cannot be established.
Question 5: Which of the following pairs of statements contains a logical contradiction?
- Exercise improves mood. Some people dislike exercise.
- All swans are white. This black swan is a swan. (Correct answer)
- Eating vegetables is healthy. Not everyone eats enough vegetables.
- Reading improves vocabulary. Some books are difficult to read.
Correct answer: All swans are white. This black swan is a swan.
If all swans are white, a black swan cannot exist; a black swan existing directly contradicts the universal claim.
Question 6: An analyst writes: 'Country X has a lower unemployment rate than Country Y, so Country X has a stronger economy.' Which assumption is embedded in this conclusion?
- Unemployment rate is the sole or most important indicator of economic strength (Correct answer)
- Country X has a larger population than Country Y
- Both countries measure unemployment using the same definition
- Country Y has a higher GDP than Country X
Correct answer: Unemployment rate is the sole or most important indicator of economic strength
The conclusion treats a single indicator as definitive of economic strength, ignoring GDP, inflation, inequality, and other relevant factors.
Question 7: A review board evaluating arguments should classify which of the following as the STRONGEST argument?
- Our product is the best because our CEO believes in it deeply
- Studies funded by our company consistently show our product outperforms competitors
- Three independent peer-reviewed studies found our product significantly more effective than the leading alternative (Correct answer)
- Thousands of online reviews rate our product five stars
Correct answer: Three independent peer-reviewed studies found our product significantly more effective than the leading alternative
Independent peer-reviewed studies provide the most reliable evidence because they control for bias and are subject to scientific scrutiny.
STAT Evaluating Written Arguments 5
An argument concludes that a town's high cancer rate is caused by a nearby factory because the factory opened before cancer rates rose.
What fallacy does this commit?