UMAT Critical Thinking 2

Question 1

A UMAT argument states: 'Since crime rates dropped after the new policing policy, the policy caused the drop.' What alternative explanation should be considered?

Accepted Answer

Crime rates may have dropped due to unrelated economic or social factors

Answer

The policy was too expensive

Answer

The police officers were undertrained

Answer

Crime statistics are always inaccurate

Question 2

The phrase 'straw man fallacy' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack

Answer

Arguing with weak evidence

Answer

Using emotional appeals in an argument

Answer

Assuming the conclusion within the premise

Question 3

Which of the following is an inductive argument?

Accepted Answer

Every patient we have treated with this drug recovered; therefore the drug is likely effective

Answer

If all patients with symptom X have disease Y, and this patient has symptom X, then they have disease Y

Answer

Either the patient has disease A or disease B; they don't have disease A; so they have disease B

Answer

If the test is positive, the patient must be treated immediately

Question 4

A UMAT passage presents a graph showing hospital admissions spike every winter. The best critical interpretation is that winter admissions spikes are:

Accepted Answer

Possibly caused by seasonal illnesses, with cold weather as one contributing factor

Answer

Definitely caused by cold weather alone

Answer

Random and unrelated to season

Answer

Proof that hospitals are understaffed in winter

Question 5

What does 'begging the question' mean as a logical fallacy?

Accepted Answer

Using the conclusion as one of the premises in an argument

Answer

Asking too many questions in a debate

Answer

Introducing irrelevant information to confuse the argument

Answer

Appealing to tradition to justify a claim

Question 6

A study finds students in smaller classes perform better. A school administrator concludes reducing all class sizes will improve outcomes. What critical question must first be asked?

Accepted Answer

Was the finding statistically significant and are there confounding factors like teacher quality?

Answer

Are the students the right age?

Answer

Is the school in a rural or urban area?

Answer

Do the students enjoy smaller classes subjectively?