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9/9 9. Analyzing and Improving Arguments Online Quiz Questions

Use this free practice quiz with 20 questions to review 9/9 9. Analyzing and Improving Arguments, test your knowledge, and prepare for your next test or exam.

20 questions
01
Choose one
1 point

Which statement is a proposition?

  1. A

    The laboratory closes at six o'clock.

  2. B

    Did the laboratory close?

  3. C

    Close the laboratory door.

  4. D

    What a remarkable laboratory!

02
True or false
1 point

A deductively valid argument can still have one or more false premises.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

03
Choose one
1 point

Consider this conditional: “If the laboratory is open, then the researcher may enter.” Which option is the consequent?

  1. A

    The laboratory is open.

  2. B

    The researcher may enter.

  3. C

    The researcher is registered.

  4. D

    The laboratory has equipment.

04
Written response
1 point

Identify the fallacy: “If the sprinkler is running, the lawn is wet. The lawn is wet. Therefore, the sprinkler is running.”

05
Fill in the blank
1 point

In an argument, statements offered as support for another proposition are the , and the proposition they support is the .

06
Choose all
1 point

An argument says, “Either you support this proposal, or you do not care about the community.” Select all actions that would help improve this argument.

  1. A

    Search for additional alternatives that the argument leaves out.

  2. B

    Treat the two stated choices as exhaustive without further examination.

  3. C

    Ask whether the alternatives are genuinely exhaustive and mutually exclusive.

  4. D

    Replace the argument with an attack on the speaker's character.

07
True or false
1 point

The reasoning “One customer complained about the service; therefore, all customers dislike the service” is an example of hasty generalization.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

08
Choose one
1 point

Which fallacy occurs here? “If the store is open, the lights are on. The store is not open. Therefore, the lights are not on.”

  1. A

    Modus ponens

  2. B

    Affirming the consequent

  3. C

    Denying the antecedent

  4. D

    Circular reasoning

09
Written response
1 point

What fallacy appears in this reasoning? “The purpose of a machine is its function. The purpose of a vacation is relaxation. Therefore, a machine is relaxation.”

10
Fill in the blank
1 point

An argument has when it is impossible for all its premises to be true while its conclusion is false. It has when it is valid and its premises are true.

11
Choose all
1 point

When evaluating a generalization about a population, which considerations are relevant? Select all correct choices.

  1. A

    Use a sufficiently large sample.

  2. B

    Check whether the sample represents the population.

  3. C

    Examine how the cases were selected for possible bias.

  4. D

    Make the conclusion no broader or more precise than the evidence supports.

  5. E

    Treat two vivid examples as sufficient regardless of how they were selected.

12
Open ended
1 point

Analyze this argument: “This policy is fair because it treats everyone fairly.” Identify its conclusion and premise, explain the reasoning problem, and give one concrete way to improve the argument.

13
Choose one
1 point

Which sentence is a proposition?

  1. A

    Is the library open?

  2. B

    The library is open.

  3. C

    Close the door.

  4. D

    What time does the library open?

14
True or false
1 point

True or false: A deductively valid argument can be unsound if one or more of its premises are false.

  1. A

    True

  2. B

    False

15
Choose one
1 point

Which analysis correctly evaluates this argument? Premise 1: If the alarm is set, the light will flash. Premise 2: The alarm is set. Conclusion: Therefore, the light will flash.

  1. A

    Valid: If the alarm is set, the light will flash; the alarm is set; therefore, the light will flash.

  2. B

    Invalid: If the alarm is set, the light will flash; the light is flashing; therefore, the alarm is set.

  3. C

    Invalid: If the alarm is set, the light will flash; the alarm is not set; therefore, the light will not flash.

  4. D

    Valid: If the alarm is set, the light will flash; the light is not flashing; therefore, the alarm is not set.

16
Written response
1 point

Identify the fallacy: If the sprinkler is running, the lawn is wet. The lawn is wet. Therefore, the sprinkler is running.

17
Choose one
1 point

For the conditional P→QP \rightarrow Q, which assignment makes the conditional false?

  1. A

    P is false and Q is true

  2. B

    P is false and Q is false

  3. C

    P is true and Q is false

  4. D

    P is true and Q is true

18
Choose one
1 point

A manager says, “One customer complained about the service, so all customers dislike the service.” Which evaluation is best?

  1. A

    The conclusion is justified because any complaint reveals the general customer view.

  2. B

    The argument is circular because the conclusion repeats the premise.

  3. C

    The argument is an ad hominem attack on the complaining customer.

  4. D

    The conclusion is too broad for the limited evidence and is a hasty generalization.

19
Written response
1 point

Identify the fallacy: “The purpose of a machine is its function. The purpose of a vacation is relaxation. Therefore, a machine is relaxation.”

20
Choose one
1 point

Which revision best improves the argument “Either you support this proposal, or you do not care about the community”?

  1. A

    Add a personal attack on people who oppose the proposal.

  2. B

    Replace the two options with a conclusion that everyone must support the proposal.

  3. C

    Treat the proposal as true because many people support it.

  4. D

    Consider additional positions, such as opposing the proposal while still caring about the community.