Subject: GED0112

Title of Activity: FA 4_ Quiz: Identifying parts of an argument

Reference: Butterworth, John and Geoff Thwaites. ’2.3 Argument’’ and ‘2.4 Identifying Arguments’, In Thinking
Skills Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, pp. 16-27. Cambridge University Press, 2013.

Name Marc Bingcang Section_______________

I. Identify whether each statement is an argument or not. If argument, state the premise(s) and conclusion on the space
provided for.
1. No brass instruments use reeds, and flutes don't use reeds, so flutes must be brass instruments.
2. After a hard day of rehearsals, John loves to sit in a quiet meadow where he can hear only the birds.
3. Betty will be angry unless someone else brings the music stands. But if Ann doesn't bring them, no one will. So, either
Ann will bring the music stands or Betty will be angry.
4. When I hear you play like that, it makes me so angry that I want to smash your flute and break your jaw.
5. If Hector hates jazz, then he shouldn't play it.
6. If we don't consolidate city and county school systems, the city school system will continue to deteriorate, producing a
large number of young adults who are not equipped to find work that will keep them out of poverty. We must not allow this
disastrous social situation to occur, so we must consolidate city and county schools.
7. Many herbs are known to have medicinal properties. So, it is not a waste of taxpayer dollars to finance trials of herbal
treatments that appear implausible
8. I think. Therefore I am.
9. The fourth row of seats from the front of our classroom
10. The accused was seen at the crime scene. He was holding a blooded knife. Hence, he was charged with murder
Scoring Guide: 3 points each x 10 = 30 points
1 point or 3 points – correct identification (If the answer is argument, 1 point for correct premise and another 1 point for correct
conclusion.
Answers

1. Argument___ Not Argument____

Premise 1: No brass instruments use reeds

Premise 2: Flutes don't use reeds

Conclusion: Flutes must be brass instruments.

2. Argument___ Not Argument____

Premises
Conclusion
3. Argument___ Not Argument____

Premise 1: Betty will be angry unless someone else brings the music stands.
Premise 2: If Ann doesn't bring them, no one will.

Conclusion: Either Ann will bring the music stands or Betty will be angry.

4. Argument___ Not Argument____

Premises
Conclusion
5. Argument___ Not Argument____

Premises
Conclusion
6. Argument___ Not Argument____

Premise 1: If we don't consolidate city and county school systems, the city school system will continue to deteriorate, producing a
large number of young adults who are not equipped to find work that will keep them out of poverty.
Premise 2: We must not allow this disastrous social situation to occur.

Conclusion: We must consolidate city and county schools.

7. Argument___ Not Argument____

Premise: Many herbs are known to have medicinal properties.

Conclusion: It is not a waste of taxpayer dollars to finance trials of herbal treatments that appear implausible.

8. Argument___ Not Argument____

Premise: I Think

Conclusion: I am

9. Argument___ Not Argument____

 Premises
Conclusion
10. Argument___ Not Argument____

Premise 1: The accused was seen at the crime scene.

Premise 2: He was holding a blooded knife.

Conclusion: He was charged with murder.

II. Think of a suitable conclusion that you could add to the following to make it into an argument:

Police forces the world over face a dilemma. On top of dealing with murders and other major incidents,
they have to divide their limited time and finite resources between tackling minor crimes such as shoplifting and
street robbery, and traffic offences such as speeding or careless driving. Of course, the consequences of
speeding can be as bad as or worse than the theft of a wallet or a mobile phone. They can be fatal. But there is a
big difference of another sort. The thief intends to do harm and to deprive people of their rightful property,
whereas any harm that is done by a car-driver, however serious, is usually accidental

Conclusion: Minor crimes are as serious as or more serious than traffic offenses, despite the consequences. There are
several conclusions, which could be drawn from this passage. However, there is one obvious point to which it seems to
be leading, that minor crimes are as serious as or more serious than traffic offences (despite the consequences). A
plausible answer to the question could be that the police should not neglect minor crime; or perhaps even make it the
priority. Note that you do not have to agree with the conclusion or the resulting argument. You are looking for a claim,
which the passage appears to support.

Scoring Guide:

5 points – The conclusion provided is suitable and related.

0 points – The conclusion provided is not suitable and related.