Quiz Argument I
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Results Reporter
Out of 3 questions, you answered 3 correctly with a final grade of 100%
3 correct
(100%)
0 incorrect
(0%)
0
unanswered
(0%)
Your Results:
The correct answer for each question is indicated by a
1
CORRECT
.
An argument comprises at least which of the following?
A) At least two premises and a conclusion.
B) At least one premise and one conclusion.
C) At least a conclusion.
D) At least a premise.
Feedback: This is the composition of an argument, by definition.
2
CORRECT
Which of the following is most accurate?
A) An argument may have either an implied premise or an implied
conclusion.
B) An argument may have an implied premise, but it can't have an
implied conclusion.
C) An argument may have an implied conclusion, but it can't have
an implied premise.
Feedback: Sometimes, to save time and energy, we don't bother
saying what is obvious, e.g. 'You could get hurt if you do that. So,
don't do that!' contains the implied second premise, 'And, you don't
want to get hurt.', also, e.g. 'You could get hurt if you do that. And,
you don't want to get hurt." contains the implied conclusion, 'So
don't do that!'
3
CORRECT
When evaluating an argument with unstated premises, which of the
following is the most appropriate tactic?
A) Find a claim that would make the argument invalid or weak and
evaluate the argument as if this claim had been included.
B) Don't add anything. If the arguer had wanted a claim to be
included, they would have included it. Evaluate the argument as
it stands.
C) Find a claim that would make the argument valid or strong and
evaluate the argument as if this claim had been included.
Feedback: Since communication is often so difficult between people,
it's good to use the 'principle of charity'--give the argument the best
'read'.
Deductive/Inductive Logic Quiz
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Results Reporter
Out of 3 questions, you answered 3 correctly with a final grade of 100%
3 correct (100%)
0 incorrect (0%)
0 unanswered (0%)
Your Results:
The correct answer for each question is indicated by a
1
CORRECT
.
Which of the following types of arguments are evaluated with the terms
valid and invalid?
A) Inductive
B) Deductive
Feedback: Validity pertains to the structure, or 'shape', of the
argument.
2
CORRECT
Which of the following types of arguments are evaluated with the terms
strong and weak?
A) Deductive
B) Inductive
Feedback: Some inductive arguments are stronger than others. The
stronger it is, the more probable the conclusion is.
3
CORRECT
Which of the following types of arguments are evaluated with the terms
sound and unsound?
A) Inductive
B) Deductive
Feedback:
Soundness pertains to the content of the valid argument--what it is
about.
Unstated Premises Quiz
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Results Reporter
Out of 8 questions, you answered 8 correctly with a final grade of 100%
8 correct (100%)
0 incorrect (0%)
0 unanswered (0%)
Your Results:
The correct answer for each question is indicated by a
1
CORRECT
.
When evaluating an argument, one should always take into
consideration the existence and merit of any unstated premises.
A) True
B) False
Feedback: Two good questions to ask when evaluating an argument
are: "Is there a reasonable assumption I could make that would
make this argument valid?", or, "Is there a reasonable assumption I
could make that would make this argument strong?".
2
CORRECT
Which of the following best identifies the term "therefore"?
A) It is a premise indicator.
B) It is a conclusion indicator.
Feedback: 'Therefore' points to the claim the argument was
constructed to prove.
3
CORRECT
Which of the following best identifies the term "since."
A) It is a premise indicator.
B) It is a conclusion indicator.
Feedback: 'Since' points to the claim or claims given as reasons for
accepting the conclusion.
4
CORRECT
Which of the following best identifies the term "for."
A) It is a premise indicator.
B) It is a conclusion indicator.
Feedback: If 'for' is hard for you to as remember a premise indicator,
try thinking of it as short for 'for the following reasons'.... this
conclusion follows.
5
CORRECT
Which of the following best identifies the term "because."
A) It is a premise indicator.
B) It is a conclusion indicator.
Feedback: "Because of the following reasons'.... this conclusion
follows.
6
CORRECT
Which of the following best identifies the term "so."
A) It is a premise indicator.
B) It is a conclusion indicator.
Feedback:
g. 'It looks like a duck. It walks like a duck. It quacks like a duck. So,
it must be a duck.'
7
CORRECT
Which of the following best identifies the term "hence."
A) It is a premise indicator.
B) It is a conclusion indicator.
Feedback: 'Hence' functions exactly like 'so', and 'therefore', hence,
it is also a conclusion indicator.
8
CORRECT
When diagramming an argument, one should include claims that
contradict the conclusion.
A) True
B) False
Feedback: Including counterclaims in your argument, and also when
diagramming it, shows that you have considered other sides of the
issue and found them wanting. To bring up an objection, and then
give reasons for rejecting it, is more powerful argumentation than to
ignore possible objections to your argument.
Evaluating Arguments Quiz
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Results Reporter
Out of 7 questions, you answered 7 correctly with a final grade of 100%
7 correct (100%)
0 incorrect (0%)
0 unanswered (0%)
Your Results:
The correct answer for each question is indicated by a
.
Are there assumed premises that make these arguments valid, if possible, or strong if they
can't be valid? Or do you conclude that they can't be made either valid or strong? Pick the
best choice and discuss.
1
CORRECT
It's no use going on about whether this law is just. It was passed
democratically.
A) Valid
B) Strong
C) Can't be made either valid or strong
2
CORRECT
Feedback: The correct answer is B. The assumed premise, Most laws
that were passed democratically are just, makes the argument strong.
The premise needed for a valid argument, "All democratically passed
laws are just," is not as plausible.
How can you be so critical of Pride and Prejudice? You never read it.
A) Valid
B) Strong
C) Can't be made either valid or strong
Feedback: The correct answer is A. The assumed premise, You are
not justified in being critical of any book you have not read, is
plausible and makes the argument valid.
3
CORRECT
I wouldn't call her reliable. She was late with her last rent check.
A) Valid
B) Strong
C) Can't be made either valid or strong
Feedback: No assumed premise can make the argument either strong
or valid. The weakest possible assumption, "If she was late with her
rent check last month, she probably isn't reliable," is far too
implausible.
4
CORRECT
It's not safe to let Dave drive you home. He just had a furious argument
with his boss.
A) Valid
B) Strong
C) Can't be made either valid or strong
Feedback: The correct answer is B. The assumed premise, When
Dave has just had a furious argument, it's usually not safe to let him
drive, makes this a strong argument. It isn't plausible to assume (as
you'd have to for a valid argument) that Dave is an unsafe driver
every time he's had a furious argument.
5
CORRECT
Look, it's snowing. The air will be warmer today.
A) Valid
B) Strong
C) Can't be made either valid or strong
Feedback: The correct answer is B. The assumed premise, When it is
snowing, the air becomes warmer, makes this a strong argument.
6
CORRECT
We didn't miss the bus. It isn't 8:04 yet.
A) Valid
B) Strong
C) Can't be made either valid or strong
Feedback: The correct answer is B. The assumed premise, If it isn't
8:04, the bus probably has not come yet, makes the argument strong.
7
CORRECT
That isn't art. A child could do it.
A) Valid
B) Strong
C) Can't be made either valid or strong
Feedback: No assumed premise can make the argument either strong
or valid. The weakest possibility, "Very few children could make
art," is too vague to be plausible.