Inductive Techniques in Argument

According to the passage, do we have conclusive evidence for all of the things we accept as true?

• No, we do not have conclusive evidence for all of the things we accept as true.

• Yes, we have conclusive evidence for everything we accept as true.

• We have conclusive evidence only for scientific facts.

• We have conclusive evidence only for historical events.

What does the passage say we can show about our beliefs?

• We can show that our beliefs are sound, or well-founded, or that they are more probable than some other conclusions which we might have reached.

• We can show that our beliefs are always correct and never need to be questioned.

• We can show that our beliefs are based solely on emotions and feelings.

• We can show that our beliefs are universally accepted by everyone.

What is a generalization according to the passage?

• A generalization is a statement about all of the members of a class of objects; they are claims we make with respect to many particular instances.

• A generalization is a specific example that applies only to one object.

• A generalization is a random guess made without any evidence.

• A generalization is a statement that describes only the exceptions in a group.

Which of the following is an example of a generalization mentioned in the passage?

• Water is blue

• Sugar is sweet

• Dogs can fly

• Stones are light

According to the passage, stones sink in water.

• True

• False

Water will ______ if left on fire.

• boil

• freeze

• evaporate

• solidify

According to the passage, what happens if we do not generalize our experiences?

• We would merely be aware of indefinitely many unrelated experiences, without having any means of classifying or discussing them.

• We would be able to remember every detail perfectly.

• We would develop a deeper understanding of each individual experience.

• We would find it easier to communicate our thoughts to others.

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an example of a generalization in the passage?

• Water will boil if left on fire

• The sun rises every morning

• Rain always falls at night

• Daylight is followed by darkness

The passage suggests that all generalizations are simple and straightforward.

• True

• False

What does the passage say we want to know about our generalizations?

• We want to know that the generalization we have arrived at is the best that can reliably be inferred from whatever evidence we have to hand.

• We want to know if our generalizations are always correct regardless of evidence.

• We want to know if our generalizations are popular among experts.

• We want to know if our generalizations are easy to understand.