Evaluating Arguments

"Research shows that physical exercise is good for health. Many people have noted that those who exercise regularly feel better and have fewer health issues. The best way to stay healthy is simply to 'keep moving' as much as possible."

Question: What is the main issue with the clarity of this argument?

• The passage doesn’t specify what "exercise" or "keep moving" means.

• • The passage includes too many details about different health benefits.

• • The passage is unclear about the type of research it refers to.

• The passage doesn’t mention any sources.

"A recent online poll on social media shows that 80% of people believe that electric cars are better for the environment than gasoline cars. Clearly, this indicates that electric cars are the environmentally friendly choice."

Question: What is the primary issue with the credibility of this argument?

• • The argument doesn’t explain how electric cars work.

• • The argument relies on a social media poll, which may not be reliable.

• • The argument doesn’t mention the cost of electric cars.

• • The argument should include opinions from more car experts.

"Volunteering at animal shelters can improve mental health by providing a sense of purpose and community. Furthermore, many shelters allow volunteers to work flexible hours, making it a good option for busy individuals. Studies also show that pet adoption rates have increased over the past five years."

Question: Which part of the passage is irrelevant to the argument about volunteering’s benefits for mental health?

• The point about flexible hours.

• • The point about mental health improvement.

• The point about increased pet adoption rates.

• The point about a sense of community.

"Online shopping has become popular because of its convenience and variety. Many people prefer it over in-store shopping. However, some customers experience issues like delayed shipping or inaccurate product descriptions."

Question: Which of the following would improve the completeness of this argument?

• Adding more information about the types of products available online.

• Including data on how many people prefer online shopping.

• Discussing the environmental impact of online shopping.

• Providing statistics on the frequency of issues with shipping and descriptions.

"Eating a balanced diet is important for maintaining good health. Many people believe that eating only fruits and vegetables is the healthiest choice. Therefore, everyone should avoid grains, proteins, and fats."

Question: What is the primary issue with the soundness of this argument?

• • It fails to define what a "balanced diet" is.

• • It assumes fruits and vegetables are the only healthy foods, which is not logically sound.

• It doesn’t include examples of healthy foods.

• It relies too much on opinions rather than facts.

"Eating certain foods can boost the immune system and make people feel better overall. For example, some studies show that certain nutrients are essential for health, and these nutrients can be found in various foods that people should eat regularly."

Question: What is the main issue with the clarity of this argument?

• The argument doesn’t specify which foods are beneficial for the immune system.

• The argument is too focused on scientific research.

• The argument provides too much detail on nutrients.

• The argument is biased towards specific foods.

"A popular lifestyle blog states that spending time outside is the best way to reduce stress. The author claims that simply walking in nature for a few minutes each day can significantly lower anxiety levels."

Question: What is the primary issue with the credibility of this argument?

• The passage doesn’t mention any scientific research or studies.

• • The passage fails to provide reasons why nature reduces stress.

• The passage doesn’t discuss other ways to manage stress.

• • The passage doesn’t define what “nature” includes.

"Using public transportation can help reduce pollution because it decreases the number of cars on the road. Public transportation also allows people to save money on gas and car maintenance. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of people choosing electric vehicles."

Question: Which part of the passage is irrelevant to the argument about public transportation reducing pollution?

• The point about saving money on gas.

• • The point about reducing the number of cars on the road.

• • The point about increased electric vehicle use.

• The point about car maintenance costs.

"High school students who get enough sleep tend to perform better academically. They have more energy, better concentration, and generally report feeling happier. However, many students stay up late because of homework or social activities."

Question: Which of the following would make the argument more complete?

• • Including examples of common social activities.

• Providing data on how much sleep high school students need.

• Discussing why students often do homework late at night.

• • Adding more details about academic performance.

"Studies show that people who drink coffee every day are generally more productive. Therefore, everyone should drink coffee to improve their productivity."

Question: What is the primary issue with the soundness of this argument?

• It assumes coffee is the only way to be productive.

• It doesn’t provide specific examples of productive activities.

• It doesn’t explain why coffee helps productivity.

• It doesn’t consider people who dislike coffee.