Test Bank for Critical Thinking A Users Manual, 1st Edition

Test Bank for Critical Thinking A Users Manual, 1st

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Chapter 6
Preparing to Evaluate Arguments

MULTIPLE CHOICE

INSTRUCTIONS: Identify the kind of argument for each of the following passages.

1. Using a lemon when cooking is like using a lime. Given that limes can be added to bland
foods to give them some zest, lemons, too, will give zest to bland foods.
a. categorical argument d. inductive generalization
b. truth-functional argument e. causal argument
c. analogical argument
ANS: C PTS: 1

2. Since all Ford Mustangs are automobiles, and not all Ford Mustangs are red, some automobiles are not
red.
a. categorical argument d. inductive generalization
b. truth-functional argument e. causal argument
c. analogical argument
ANS: A PTS: 1

3. Unemployment is probably rising throughout most California counties, for the reason that it
has been rising in Kern and Los Angeles counties.
a. categorical argument d. inductive generalization
b. truth-functional argument e. causal argument
c. analogical argument
ANS: D PTS: 1

4. Our sales drive began losing steam two weeks ago. This is probably caused by the free prizes
given by our competitor, because they initiated this particular free prize promotion at the
beginning of last month.
a. categorical argument d. inductive generalization
b. truth-functional argument e. causal argument
c. analogical argument
ANS: E PTS: 1

5. It appears that the Toyota shareholders are going to be nervous. This is because either Toyota
fires its CEO or its shareholders will be nervous, and Toyota refuses to fire its CEO.
a. categorical argument d. inductive generalization
b. truth-functional argument e. causal argument
c. analogical argument
ANS: B PTS: 1
 6. Learning to think critically is like learning to play the piano. Given that you have to practice a
lot to be good at playing the piano, you must practice a lot to be a critical thinker.
a. categorical argument d. inductive generalization
b. truth-functional argument e. causal argument
c. analogical argument
ANS: C PTS: 1

7. The U.N. peacekeepers in Ivory Coast will be ready to leave the country at the end of the
month if the warring parties have completed the peace negations by the end of January.
Inasmuch as the warring parties did complete the peace negations by the end of January, the
U.N. peacekeepers in Ivory Coast will be ready to leave the country at the end of the month.
a. categorical argument d. inductive generalization
b. truth-functional argument e. causal argument
c. analogical argument
ANS: B PTS: 1

8. In view of the fact that high school and college football players are at increased risk of brain
damage associated with early onset dementia, most football players are probably at risk of
such brain damage.
a. categorical argument d. inductive generalization
b. truth-functional argument e. causal argument
c. analogical argument
ANS: D PTS: 1

9. Since every lawyer is a college graduate, and since every college graduate has taken logical
reasoning courses, we know that all lawyers have taken logical reasoning courses.
a. categorical argument d. inductive generalization
b. truth-functional argument e. causal argument
c. analogical argument
ANS: A PTS: 1

10. Last year the rate of unemployment among 18-25 years olds increased. Also, the crime rate in
this same demographic went up. Thus, it seems likely that rising unemployment caused an
increase in crime.
a. categorical argument d. inductive generalization
b. truth-functional argument e. causal argument
c. analogical argument
ANS: E PTS: 1

INSTRUCTIONS: The following questions relate to the proper terminology used to evaluate
arguments.

11. What evaluative language should you use for categorical arguments?
a. valid/invalid; cogent/uncogent c. strong/weak; cogent/uncogent
b. valid/invalid; sound/unsound d. strong/weak; sound/unsound
 ANS: B PTS: 1

12. What evaluative language should you use for truth-functional arguments?
a. valid/invalid; cogent/uncogent c. strong/weak; cogent/uncogent
b. valid/invalid; sound/unsound d. strong/weak; sound/unsound
ANS: B PTS: 1

13. What evaluative language should you use for analogical arguments?
a. valid/invalid; cogent/uncogent c. strong/weak; cogent/uncogent
b. valid/invalid; sound/unsound d. strong/weak; sound/unsound
ANS: C PTS: 1

14. What evaluative language should you use for inductive generalizations?
a. valid/invalid; cogent/uncogent c. strong/weak; cogent/uncogent
b. valid/invalid; sound/unsound d. strong/weak; sound/unsound
ANS: C PTS: 1

15. What evaluative language should you use for causal arguments?
a. valid/invalid; cogent/uncogent c. strong/weak; cogent/uncogent
b. valid/invalid; sound/unsound d. strong/weak; sound/unsound
ANS: C PTS: 1

SHORT ANSWER

INSTRUCTIONS: Write a Complete Analysis for each of the following passages.

1. Even though we have landed a probe on Venus, it has never shown that life doesn’t exist on
that planet. Therefore, it’s correct to conclude that life exists on Venus.

ANS:
This passage contains an argument. The issue is whether life exists on Venus. The
conclusion is that life exists on Venus. The premise is that even though we have landed a
probe on Venus, it has never shown that life doesn't exist on that planet.
This argument commits an appeal to ignorance fallacy. It illegitimately shifts the burden
of proof.

PTS: 6

2. Pear, plum, and apple trees are like apricot trees. Since pear, plum, and apple trees are good
trees to plant for attracting hummingbirds, it’s likely that planting apricot trees also attracts
hummingbirds.

ANS:
 This passage contains an argument. The issue is whether planting apricot trees attract
hummingbirds. The conclusion is that planting apricot trees attracts hummingbirds. The first
premise is that pear, plum, and apple trees are like apricot trees. The second premise is that
pear, plum, and apple trees are good trees to plant for attracting hummingbirds.
This argument is an inductive analogical argument.

 Pear, plum, and apple trees are like apricot trees. Since  pear, plum, and apple trees are
good trees to plant for attracting hummingbirds, it’s likely that  planting apricot trees also
attracts hummingbirds.

+



PTS: 8

3. No horoscopes are accurate predictors of behavior. Therefore, since all scientifically testable
procedures are accurate predictors of behavior, no horoscopes are scientifically testable
procedures.

ANS:
This passage contains an argument. The issue is whether horoscopes are scientifically
testable procedures. The conclusion is that no horoscopes are scientifically testable
procedures. The first premise is that no horoscopes are accurate predictors of beahvior. The
second premise is that all scientifically testable procedures are accurate predictors of behavior.
This argument is a deductive categorical argument.

 No horoscopes are accurate predictors of behavior. Therefore, since  all scientifically

testable procedures are accurate predictors of behavior,  no horoscopes are scientifically
testable procedures.

+



PTS: 8

4. The reason that the number of latch key children has risen in recent months is that more
families than ever before have both adults working full time.

ANS:
This passage contains an explanation. The explanandum is that the number of latch
key children has risen in recent months. The explanans is that more families than ever before
have both adults working full time.

PTS: 3
Test Bank for Critical Thinking A Users Manual, 1st Edition

5. The best policy if you experience any of the above problems (e.g., aggression toward humans,
persistent destructive behavior) is to consult a qualified trainer or veterinarian for evaluation
of your individual situation. —Monks of New Skete, How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend

ANS:
This passage from How to be Your Dog’s Best Friend by the Monks of New Skete
contains neither an argument nor an explanation. The passage only contains one claim, and
arguments and explanations each require a minimum of two claims.

PTS: 3

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