Critical Thinking Skills Quiz

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of an argument?

• Contains at least one premise and one conclusion

• Attempts to persuade by giving good reasons

• Must be presented in chronological order

• Consists of propositions expressed by declarative sentences

A proposition can be expressed by different sentences while maintaining the same factual content.

• True

• False

In the argument "Murder is morally wrong. Helping someone commit suicide is the same as murder. Therefore, helping someone commit suicide is morally wrong," which statement functions as the major premise?

• Murder is morally wrong

• Helping someone commit suicide is the same as murder

• Therefore, helping someone commit suicide is morally wrong

• All of the above are premises

Which of the following are conclusion indicators?

I. Therefore
II. Since
III. Hence
IV. Because

• I and II

• I and III

• II and IV

•  III and IV

Everything is true about premise indicators EXCEPT:

• They signal that a reason is being given

• "Since" and "because" are common premise indicators

• They always appear at the beginning of sentences

• "Given that" and "due to" function as premise indicators

An intermediate conclusion functions both as a premise and as a conclusion within the same argument.

• True

• False

In the statement "Ms. Musk is the CEO of a highly successful company, which proves she must be highly intelligent," the conclusion is:

• Ms. Musk is the CEO of a highly successful company

• The company is highly successful

• She must be highly intelligent

• CEO positions require intelligence

Which of the following statements about explicit vs implicit arguments is FALSE?

• Explicit arguments clearly state all premises and conclusions

• Implicit arguments may have unstated assumptions

• Rhetorical questions always indicate explicit arguments

• Writers may not directly express their position in implicit arguments

The word "since" in "Since 2018, I have been studying law" functions as:

• A premise indicator

• A conclusion indicator

• A temporal indicator

• An intermediate conclusion marker

Which elements must be present for something to qualify as an argument?

I. At least one premise
II. A conclusion
III. Persuasive intent
IV. Factual accuracy

•  I and II

• I, II and III

• II and IV

• I, II and IV