Identifying Logical Fallacies Quiz

Which of the following is an example of an ad hominem fallacy?

• "The senator's argument is invalid because he has been divorced twice."

• "The senator's argument is invalid because it contradicts the data."

• "The senator's argument is invalid because it is based on outdated information."

• "The senator's argument is invalid because it lacks evidence."

Answer explanation

The correct choice is "The senator's argument is invalid because he has been divorced twice." This is an ad hominem fallacy as it attacks the senator's character rather than addressing the argument itself.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Identify the fallacy: "You should not listen to Dr. Smith's advice on climate change because he is not a meteorologist."

• False analogy

• Appeal to doubtful authority

• Circular reasoning

• Equivocation

Answer explanation

The statement commits the 'appeal to doubtful authority' fallacy by dismissing Dr. Smith's advice solely based on his lack of meteorology credentials, rather than evaluating the validity of his arguments on climate change.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Which of the following is a false analogy?

• "Just as a car needs gas to run, a human needs food to survive."

• "Just as a car needs gas to run, a human needs a smartphone to function."

• "Just as a car needs gas to run, a human needs sleep to function."

• "Just as a car needs gas to run, a human needs water to survive."

Answer explanation

The statement "Just as a car needs gas to run, a human needs a smartphone to function" is a false analogy because a smartphone is not a basic necessity for human survival, unlike food, sleep, and water.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

What is circular reasoning?

• Using the conclusion as a premise in the argument.

• Comparing two unrelated things.

• Attacking the person instead of the argument.

• Presenting only two options when more exist.

Answer explanation

Circular reasoning occurs when the conclusion of an argument is used as a premise, effectively assuming what it is trying to prove. This makes the argument logically invalid, as it does not provide independent support for the conclusion.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Identify the false dilemma in the following statement: "You either support the new policy, or you don't care about the environment."

• It presents only two options when more exist.

• It attacks the person instead of the argument.

• It uses the conclusion as a premise.

• It relies on an authority that is not credible.

Answer explanation

The statement presents a false dilemma by limiting the options to just two: supporting the policy or not caring about the environment. In reality, there are more nuanced positions one could take regarding the policy.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Which of the following is an example of equivocation?

• "The sign said 'fine for parking here,' so I parked because it was fine."

• "If we allow students to redo tests, soon they'll expect to redo everything."

• "You can't trust him; he's a politician."

• "Either we ban all cars, or we face environmental disaster."

Answer explanation

The correct choice, "The sign said 'fine for parking here,' so I parked because it was fine," uses the word 'fine' ambiguously, first meaning 'acceptable' and then implying a monetary penalty, illustrating equivocation.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

What is a hasty generalization?

• Drawing a conclusion based on insufficient evidence.

• Attacking the person instead of the argument.

• Using the conclusion as a premise in the argument.

• Presenting only two options when more exist.

Answer explanation

A hasty generalization occurs when someone draws a conclusion based on insufficient evidence, making it a logical fallacy. The correct choice highlights this flaw in reasoning.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates an ad hominem fallacy?

• Criticizing a scientist's research because of their political beliefs.

• Disagreeing with a scientist's research based on conflicting data.

• Questioning a scientist's research due to lack of peer review.

• Debating a scientist's research based on methodological flaws.

Answer explanation

The correct choice illustrates an ad hominem fallacy by attacking the scientist's character (political beliefs) rather than addressing the research itself. The other options focus on the research's validity.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Evaluate the following argument for fallacies: "We should not trust the new study on health benefits of coffee because the lead researcher is a known coffee enthusiast."

• False analogy

• Ad hominem

• Circular reasoning

• Hasty generalization

Answer explanation

The argument commits an ad hominem fallacy by attacking the lead researcher's character (as a coffee enthusiast) instead of addressing the validity of the study itself. This distracts from the actual evidence presented.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Analyze the following statement: "If we don't ban all sugary drinks, obesity rates will continue to rise uncontrollably." What fallacy is present?

• False dilemma

• Equivocation

• Appeal to doubtful authority

• Circular reasoning

Answer explanation

The statement presents a false dilemma by suggesting that the only solution to rising obesity rates is to ban all sugary drinks, ignoring other potential solutions or factors contributing to obesity.

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept