Logical Fallacies Quiz

What is a logical fallacy?

• A personal opinion that cannot be argued

• An argument based on feelings

• A flawed or deceptive argument that can be disproven through reasoning

Answer explanation

A logical fallacy is a flawed or deceptive argument that can be disproven through reasoning. It differs from personal opinions or emotional arguments, as it specifically involves errors in logic that undermine the argument's validity.

Which of the following contains a slippery slope fallacy?

• If you go outside without a coat, you'll catch a cold and your whole family will get sick

• If you go outside without a coat, you'll catch a cold

• Going outside without a coat is fun

Answer explanation

The correct choice contains a slippery slope fallacy because it suggests that going outside without a coat will lead to catching a cold and subsequently making the whole family sick, which exaggerates the consequences.

What does the red herring fallacy do in an argument?

• Strengthens the opponent's argument

• Distracts from the main point using an unrelated topic

• Uses strong evidence to support a claim

Answer explanation

The red herring fallacy distracts from the main point by introducing an unrelated topic, leading the audience away from the original argument. This makes the correct choice "Distracts from the main point using an unrelated topic."

Which fallacy is present when someone attacks the person instead of their argument?

• Ad hominem

• Appeal to pity

• Straw man

Answer explanation

The ad hominem fallacy occurs when someone attacks the character or personal traits of an individual instead of addressing the argument they present. This distracts from the actual issue being discussed.

What is the purpose of identifying logical fallacies in writing?

• To make your argument sound fancier

• To avoid making logically flawed arguments

• To entertain the reader

Answer explanation

Identifying logical fallacies helps ensure your arguments are sound and valid. This avoids making logically flawed arguments, which can undermine your credibility and effectiveness in writing.

Which fallacy involves exaggerating the opponent’s viewpoint to make it easier to attack?

• Equivocation

• Straw man

• Circular argument

Answer explanation

The straw man fallacy involves misrepresenting or exaggerating an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack. This tactic diverts attention from the actual issue and undermines genuine debate.

Which statement shows a false dilemma?

• You either support me or you're against me

• You might agree or disagree with me

• I don't know what to decide

Answer explanation

The statement 'You either support me or you're against me' presents a false dilemma by limiting the options to just two extremes, ignoring any middle ground or alternative perspectives.

What does a hasty generalization do?

• Uses too few examples to draw a conclusion

• Offers several researched examples

• Accepts opposing views fairly

Answer explanation

A hasty generalization occurs when a conclusion is drawn from too few examples, leading to potentially inaccurate or misleading assertions. The correct choice highlights this flaw in reasoning.

"You're wrong because you're not from here." This is an example of which fallacy?

• Bandwagon

• Ad hominem

• Red herring

Answer explanation

The statement "You're wrong because you're not from here" attacks the person's background instead of addressing their argument. This is an example of the ad hominem fallacy, which targets the individual rather than the issue at hand.

What does the appeal to authority fallacy involve?

• Trusting someone's opinion only when it's relevant

• Using someone's opinion as evidence even if they're not an expert

• Quoting multiple reliable sources

Answer explanation

The appeal to authority fallacy occurs when someone's opinion is used as evidence without them being an expert in the relevant field. This makes the correct choice 'Using someone's opinion as evidence even if they're not an expert'.