TSA Critical Thinking & Logical Reasoning Flashcards

Which of the following best defines a 'valid' argument in formal logic?

Answer: An argument where if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true

Validity means the argument's logical structure guarantees the truth of the conclusion if all premises are true.

An argument concludes that 'since crime rates fell after a new law was passed, the law caused the reduction.' What flaw does this contain?

Answer: Post hoc ergo propter hoc (false cause)

Assuming causation from mere correlation and temporal sequence is the post hoc fallacy.

Which of the following would most WEAKEN the argument that 'Exercise improves academic performance because students who exercise get better grades'?

Answer: Evidence that high-achieving students have more time for both studying and exercise

If high-achieving students simply have more time for both activities, exercise may not be the cause of better grades, undermining the causal claim.

What is the difference between a 'premise' and a 'conclusion' in an argument?

Answer: A premise provides reasons or evidence; a conclusion is the claim those reasons support

Premises are the supporting reasons or evidence, while the conclusion is the main claim that the premises are intended to establish.

In TSA, what does it mean to 'draw an inference' from a passage?

Answer: To reach a conclusion that is not explicitly stated but logically follows from the given information

Drawing an inference means deriving a logical conclusion that goes beyond what is explicitly stated but is supported by the information given.

Which of the following is an example of a 'sufficient condition'?

Answer: If it rains, the ground gets wet — rain alone guarantees wet ground

A sufficient condition alone guarantees the outcome — rain is sufficient to make the ground wet.