AQL Critical Thinking and Analysis 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a logical fallacy known as 'ad hominem'?
- Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself (Correct answer)
- Drawing a conclusion from insufficient evidence
- Assuming that because two things are correlated they are causally related
- Presenting only two options when more exist
Correct answer: Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself
An ad hominem fallacy attacks the character or credibility of a person rather than addressing the substance of their argument.
Question 2: What is deductive reasoning?
- Starting with a general principle and applying it to reach a specific conclusion (Correct answer)
- Starting with specific observations and drawing a general conclusion
- Using emotional appeals to persuade an audience
- Listing evidence without drawing any conclusion
Correct answer: Starting with a general principle and applying it to reach a specific conclusion
Deductive reasoning begins with a general premise and applies it to a specific case to reach a logically certain conclusion.
Question 3: Which of the following best defines 'inductive reasoning'?
- Using specific observations to form a general conclusion (Correct answer)
- Applying a universal law to a particular situation
- Repeating a claim until it seems true
- Accepting an argument because an authority figure stated it
Correct answer: Using specific observations to form a general conclusion
Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations or examples to a broader generalization or theory.
Question 4: A 'false dichotomy' fallacy occurs when:
- Only two options are presented as if no other possibilities exist (Correct answer)
- A conclusion is drawn from unrelated premises
- The same argument is repeated in different words
- A popular belief is accepted without question
Correct answer: Only two options are presented as if no other possibilities exist
A false dichotomy (or false dilemma) incorrectly limits the choices to just two when other valid options are actually available.
Question 5: What does it mean to 'evaluate the credibility' of a source?
- Assess the expertise, objectivity, and evidence quality of the source (Correct answer)
- Count the number of references it cites
- Determine whether the source is printed or online
- Check if the source is longer than five pages
Correct answer: Assess the expertise, objectivity, and evidence quality of the source
Evaluating credibility involves examining the author's qualifications, the objectivity of the content, and the strength of the evidence provided.
Question 6: Which of the following is the best example of an 'assumption' in an argument?
- An unstated belief that the argument depends on being true (Correct answer)
- A clearly stated conclusion supported by evidence
- A question posed to challenge the reader
- A statistic cited from a government report
Correct answer: An unstated belief that the argument depends on being true
An assumption is an unstated premise that the argument takes for granted and that, if false, would undermine the argument's conclusion.
