WorksheetsCritical Thinking 03
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 19mins
A vague claim is one whose meaning is indistinct or imprecise.
True
False
“Please don’t make any more late-night phone calls.”
The part of this statement that is arguably vague is “any more.”
True
False
After your piano recital, your friend says, “Well, you did it again!”
This statement could be criticized for vagueness.
True
False
When a claim is too vague to convey appropriately useful information, its level of vagueness is acceptable.
True
False
Which of the following is TRUE of vagueness?
It occurs in varying degrees.
It is possible to get rid of it entirely.
It is not acceptable in any kind of communication.
It cannot be used intentionally.
"The new tax increase will contribute significantly to the town's tax revenue."
Identify the ambiguous word in this sentence.
Significantly
Contribute
Tax
Revenue
The less detail a claim provides, the more general it is.
True
False
Telling you that I had lunch is more general than telling you that I had a sandwich.
True
False
Which claim is more precise (i.e., suffers least from vagueness, ambiguity, or generality)?
Rooney’s tennis serve is impossible to return.
Rooney served the church his entire life.
Which claim is more precise (i.e., suffers least from vagueness, ambiguity, or generality)?
Throughout their marriage, Alfredo served her dinner.
Throughout their marriage, Alfredo served her well.
Which claim is more precise (i.e., suffers least from vagueness, ambiguity, or generality)?
Clifton turned out the light.
Clifton turned out the vote.
Which claim is more precise (i.e., suffers least from vagueness, ambiguity, or generality)?
Harper flew around the world.
Harper departed around 3:00 a.m.
Which claim is more precise (i.e., suffers least from vagueness, ambiguity, or generality)?
The wine turned to vinegar.
The wine turned out to be vinegar.
Read the following passage, paying particular attention to the words and phrases underlined and in bold.
Determine whether any of these expressions are too vague in the context in which you find them here.
"Feed begonias and fuchsias frequently with label-recommended amounts or less frequently with no more than half the recommended amount. Feed roses with label-recommended amounts as a new year’s growth begins and as each bloom period ends. Feed azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and similar plants immediately after bloom and again when the nights begin cooling off. Following these simple instructions can help your flower garden to be as attractive as it can be."
Acceptable
Too vague
Read the following passage, paying particular attention to the words and phrases underlined and in bold.
Determine whether any of these expressions are too vague in the context in which you find them here.
"Feed begonias and fuchsias frequently with label-recommended amounts or less frequently with no more than half the recommended amount. Feed roses with label-recommended amounts as a new year’s growth begins and as each bloom period ends. Feed azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and similar plants immediately after bloom and again when the nights begin cooling off. Following these simple instructions can help your flower garden to be as attractive as it can be."
Acceptable
Too vague
Read the following passage, paying particular attention to the words and phrases underlined and in bold.
Determine whether any of these expressions are too vague in the context in which you find them here.
"Feed begonias and fuchsias frequently with label-recommended amounts or less frequently with no more than half the recommended amount. Feed roses with label-recommended amounts as a new year’s growth begins and as each bloom period ends. Feed azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and similar plants immediately after bloom and again when the nights begin cooling off. Following these simple instructions can help your flower garden to be as attractive as it can be."
Acceptable
Too vague
Read the following passage, paying particular attention to the words and phrases underlined and in bold.
Determine whether any of these expressions are too vague in the context in which you find them here.
"Feed begonias and fuchsias frequently with label-recommended amounts or less frequently with no more than half the recommended amount. Feed roses with label-recommended amounts as a new year’s growth begins and as each bloom period ends. Feed azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and similar plants immediately after bloom and again when the nights begin cooling off. Following these simple instructions can help your flower garden to be as attractive as it can be."
Acceptable
Too vague
Read the following passage, paying particular attention to the words and phrases underlined and in bold.
Determine whether any of these expressions are too vague in the context in which you find them here.
"Feed begonias and fuchsias frequently with label-recommended amounts or less frequently with no more than half the recommended amount. Feed roses with label-recommended amounts as a new year’s growth begins and as each bloom period ends. Feed azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and similar plants immediately after bloom and again when the nights begin cooling off. Following these simple instructions can help your flower garden to be as attractive as it can be."
Acceptable
Too vague
Read the following passage, paying particular attention to the words and phrases underlined and in bold.
Determine whether any of these expressions are too vague in the context in which you find them here.
"Feed begonias and fuchsias frequently with label-recommended amounts or less frequently with no more than half the recommended amount. Feed roses with label-recommended amounts as a new year’s growth begins and as each bloom period ends. Feed azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and similar plants immediately after bloom and again when the nights begin cooling off. Following these simple instructions can help your flower garden to be as attractive as it can be."
Acceptable
Too vague
Read the following passage, paying particular attention to the words and phrases underlined and in bold.
Determine whether any of these expressions are too vague in the context in which you find them here.
"Feed begonias and fuchsias frequently with label-recommended amounts or less frequently with no more than half the recommended amount. Feed roses with label-recommended amounts as a new year’s growth begins and as each bloom period ends. Feed azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and similar plants immediately after bloom and again when the nights begin cooling off. Following these simple instructions can help your flower garden to be as attractive as it can be."
Acceptable
Too vague
Read the following passage, paying particular attention to the words and phrases underlined and in bold.
Determine whether any of these expressions are too vague in the context in which you find them here.
"Feed begonias and fuchsias frequently with label-recommended amounts or less frequently with no more than half the recommended amount. Feed roses with label-recommended amounts as a new year’s growth begins and as each bloom period ends. Feed azaleas, camellias, rhododendrons, and similar plants immediately after bloom and again when the nights begin cooling off. Following these simple instructions can help your flower garden to be as attractive as it can be."
Acceptable
Too vague
Determine which of the responses captures the MOST LIKELY INTENDED MEANING of the argument below while REMOVING ITS AMBIGUITY.
Newspaper headline: “Police Kill 6 Coyotes After Mauling of Girl”
“After Mauling of Girl, Police Kill 6 Coyotes”
“6 Coyotes That Maul Girl Are Killed by Police”
Determine which of the responses captures the MOST LIKELY INTENDED MEANING of the argument below while REMOVING ITS AMBIGUITY.
If you crave the taste of a real German beer, nothing is better than Dunkelbrau.
Dunkelbrau—for those who crave the best-tasting real German beer.
For those who crave the best-tasting real German beer, no beer is better than Dunkelbrau.
Vagueness in language is sometimes acceptable.
True
False
“This warranty becomes void if the owner uses the hammer improperly.”
The part of this statement that is arguably vague is “warranty.”
True
False
Which of the following is the MOST GENERAL statement?
I’ve got a problem with that professor.
That professor failed to give any constructive feedback on my paper.
I’ve never before had such a disorganized and unhelpful professor.
That professor is very disorganized.
Which of the following is TRUE of an argumentative essay?
It is closely related to thinking critically.
It is similar to a book on writing.
It does not support or defend any issues.
It does not provide any opinion to the readers.
The primary aim of an argumentative essay is to provide information to readers.
True
False
An argumentative essay can be effective as a piece of propaganda even when it is a rational and critical failure.
True
False
BALD! BALD! BALD! BALD! BALD! BALD! BALD! BALD!
MY EYES!!!
MY LEG!!!
MY HAIR!!!
MY HEAD!!!
