Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Identifying Logical Fallacies Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

Argument: 'Either we invest massively in military spending, or we will be invaded by foreign powers.' What fallacy does this commit?

Accepted Answer

False dilemma — it presents only two options when many middle-ground positions exist.

Answer

The argument presents only two extreme options (massive investment or invasion) while ignoring moderate defense strategies, alliances, diplomacy, and other security approaches.

Question 2

Argument: 'This must be a good wine — it won the International Wine Competition in 2019.' What fallacy might this commit?

Accepted Answer

Appeal to authority — the award is treated as sufficient proof of quality without broader evidence.

Answer

A competition award is an authority's judgment — treating it as definitive proof of quality relies on appeal to authority without considering subjective taste, context of competition, or vintage variation.

Question 3

A politician says: 'My opponent voted against increasing police budgets, which shows he doesn't care about public safety.' What fallacy is this?

Accepted Answer

Straw man — it misrepresents the opponent's position to make it easier to attack.

Answer

The opponent's vote against budget increases may reflect a preference for alternative public safety approaches (community programs, mental health services) — the politician unfairly characterizes this as not caring about safety.

Question 4

Argument: 'Thousands of people have bought this supplement, so it must be effective.' What fallacy does this commit?

Accepted Answer

Ad populum (bandwagon fallacy) — popularity is used as evidence of effectiveness.

Answer

The number of buyers reflects marketing success, price, and accessibility, not clinical effectiveness — popularity does not establish efficacy.

Question 5

Statement: 'We shouldn't take Dr. Lee's research on climate change seriously — she drives a large SUV.' What fallacy is this?

Accepted Answer

Tu quoque (appeal to hypocrisy) — attacking the person's behavior to discredit their argument.

Answer

Tu quoque dismisses an argument by pointing to the speaker's allegedly hypocritical behavior, rather than addressing the substance of the research.

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Practice Test

Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal Identifying Logical Fallacies Questions and Answers 2