Verbal Reasoning & Reading Comprehension Flashcards

'Some doctors are researchers. All researchers are scientists. Therefore, some doctors are scientists.' This argument is:

Answer: Valid — the conclusion follows logically from the premises

The doctors who are researchers must also be scientists since all researchers are scientists, making the conclusion logically valid.

A text states: 'The ancient Romans built roads that lasted centuries. Modern infrastructure rarely lasts more than 50 years.' The author most likely intends to:

Answer: Suggest Roman engineering was superior to modern practices

The comparison implies Roman engineering produced more durable results, suggesting their practices were superior.

Which word best fills the blank? 'The scientist's theory, though initially _____, was eventually proven correct.'

Answer: controversial

'Controversial' (debated or disputed) creates meaningful contrast with 'eventually proven correct,' a common arc in scientific discovery.

A passage states: 'Students who read more perform better in school.' This claim is best described as:

Answer: A correlation that may or may not imply causation

This is a correlation — reading and performance are related, but the statement alone doesn't prove reading causes better performance.

What does it mean when an author 'concedes a point' in an argument?

Answer: They acknowledge a valid aspect of the opposing view

Conceding a point means acknowledging the opposing side has a valid argument while still maintaining your overall position.

'The fact that crime rates fell after the new policy proves the policy was effective.' This reasoning commits which fallacy?

Answer: Post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy

Post hoc ergo propter hoc assumes that because one event followed another, the first caused it — but crime rates could have fallen for other reasons.

An author uses 'however' to begin a new sentence. What does this transitional word signal?

Answer: A contrast or counterpoint to what was stated before

'However' is a transitional word signaling a contrast or opposition to what was previously stated.