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Year 12 Critical Reasoning

Total questions: 32

Worksheet time: 16mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What is a Euphemism?

a)
A euphemism is a genre of music.
b)
A euphemism is a legal term for a contract.
c)
A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one that may be considered harsh or unpleasant.
d)
A euphemism is a type of flower.
2.

What is a weasel word?

a)
A weasel word is an ambiguous or misleading term used to create an impression without clear meaning.
b)
A weasel word is a type of animal found in the wild.
c)
A weasel word is a term used exclusively in legal documents.
d)
A weasel word is a term that is always clear and precise.
3.

Define Ad Populum

a)
Ad Populum is a logical fallacy that relies on emotional appeal.
b)
Ad Populum is an appeal to the masses or popularity as a basis for truth.
c)
Ad Populum is a method of statistical analysis used in research.
d)
Ad Populum refers to a specific type of scientific evidence.
4.

Define Straw Man Fallacy

a)
A Straw Man Fallacy is a valid argument that strengthens an opponent's position.
b)
A Straw Man Fallacy is a technique used to build consensus among differing viewpoints.
c)
A Straw Man Fallacy involves directly addressing an opponent's argument without distortion.
d)
A Straw Man Fallacy is a form of argument that misrepresents an opponent's position to make it easier to attack.
5.

Define Begging the Question

a)
A rhetorical strategy that emphasizes emotional appeal over logic.
b)
Begging the question is a logical fallacy that occurs when an argument's premises assume the truth of the conclusion.
c)
A technique used to clarify ambiguous terms in an argument.
d)
A method of reasoning that leads to a valid conclusion.
6.

Define Appeal to Adverse Consequences

a)

Appeal to Adverse Consequences is a fallacy that suggests rejecting a claim due to unrealistic potential negative consequences.

b)
Appeal to Adverse Consequences is a method of persuasion based on emotional appeal.
c)
Appeal to Adverse Consequences refers to the benefits of accepting a claim.
d)
Appeal to Adverse Consequences is a valid argument for supporting a claim.
7.

Define False Dichotomy

a)
A false dichotomy is a logical fallacy that limits options to two when more exist.
b)
A false dichotomy is a type of argument that always presents three choices.
c)
A false dichotomy is a situation where only one option is available.
d)
A false dichotomy is a logical fallacy that allows for unlimited options.
8.

Name the fallacy committed in the following argument and explain why it is a fallacy.

Most people believe in a supernatural power, so there must be a supernatural power.

a)

Ad Populum

b)
Red herring
c)
Straw man fallacy
d)
Appeal to authority
9.

Name the fallacy committed in the following argument and explain why it is a fallacy.

You can usually get to Adelaide by plane or by train, but since at present neither planes nor trains are operating, you can’t get to Adelaide.

a)

False Dichotomy

b)
Fallacy of Hasty Generalization
c)
Fallacy of Composition
d)
Fallacy of Affirming the Consequent
10.

Name the fallacy committed in the following argument and explain why it is a fallacy.

Perth is the best city in the world, because no other city has its all-round excellence.

a)
Straw Man
b)
Ad Hominem
c)
Begging the Question (circular reasoning)
d)
False Dilemma
11.

What type of reasoning shown in this image?

a)

Convergent

b)

Divergent

c)

Linked

12.

Is the map shown correct?

a)

Yes

b)

No

13.

Evaluate the strength of the first inference (2+3 --> 1)

a)

Weak

b)

Moderate

c)

Strong

d)

Deductively Valid

14.

Evaluate the strength of the final inference?

a)

Weak

b)

Moderate

c)

Strong

d)

Deductively Valid

15.

 Is this map correct?

a)

Yes

b)

No

16.

Evaluate the cogency of this argument

a)

Cogent

b)

Not Cogent

17.

(1) Echidnas are monotremes, since (2) {they lay eggs}, and (3) {they are mammals}, and (4) {all egg-laying mammals are monotremes}.

Evalaute the inference above

a)

Weak

b)

Moderate

c)

Strong

d)

DV

18.

Is "but" an inference indicator

a)

yes

b)

no

19.

Name the fallacy committed in the following argument and explain why it is a fallacy.

Either we ban all cars, or pollution will never decrease.

a)

Appeal to Authority

b)

Ad Hominem

c)

Straw Man

d)

False Dichotomy

20.

Which of the following is an example of Begging the Question?

a)

Many people believe it, so it must be true.

b)

If it rains, the ground gets wet.

c)

The defendant is not guilty because he is innocent.

d)

She won the race because she was the fastest.

21.

Which of the following is an example of a Straw Man Fallacy?

a)

My opponent wants to reduce military spending, so he must want to leave the country defenseless.

b)

If it rains, the ground gets wet.

c)

All mammals have hair. Dogs are mammals. Therefore, dogs have hair.

d)

Many people believe in ghosts, so ghosts must exist.

22.

What is the main purpose of using weasel words in an argument?

a)

To summarize the main point of the argument.

b)

To mislead or avoid making a direct statement.

c)

To provide strong evidence for a claim.

d)

To clarify the argument and make it more precise.

23.

Which of the following is an example of a False Dichotomy?

a)

Many people believe in ghosts, so ghosts must exist.

b)

Either you are with us, or you are against us.

c)

All mammals have hair. Dogs are mammals. Therefore, dogs have hair.

d)

Some birds can fly, but penguins cannot.

24.

Name the fallacy committed in the following argument and explain why it is a fallacy.

Everyone in my school likes this movie, so it must be the best movie ever made.

a)

Begging the Question

b)

Straw Man

c)

Ad Populum

d)

Appeal to Authority

25.

Which of the following best describes a logical fallacy?

a)

A mistake in reasoning that weakens an argument.

b)

A persuasive technique that always leads to truth.

c)

A valid argument that supports a claim.

d)

A method used to clarify ambiguous statements.

26.

What is the main characteristic of a Straw Man Fallacy?

a)

It uses ambiguous language to mislead.

b)

It presents only two options when more exist.

c)

It relies on emotional appeal rather than logic.

d)

It misrepresents an opponent's argument to make it easier to refute.

27.

Which of the following is an example of Ad Populum?

a)

Either you agree with us, or you are against us.

b)

If it rains, the ground gets wet.

c)

Everyone in the community supports this policy, so it must be the right choice.

d)

She won the race because she was the fastest.

28.

Which of the following is an example of Begging the Question?

a)

All birds can fly, but penguins cannot.

b)

Either you are with us, or you are against us.

c)

We know the defendant is guilty because he committed the crime.

d)

Many people believe in ghosts, so ghosts must exist.

29.

Which of the following best illustrates a False Dichotomy?

a)

Either you eat vegetables, or you are unhealthy.

b)

All mammals have hair. Dogs are mammals. Therefore, dogs have hair.

c)

She won the race because she was the fastest.

d)

Everyone in the community supports this policy, so it must be the right choice.

30.

Which of the following best illustrates a False Dichotomy?

a)

You can either eat healthy or be unhealthy; there is no other option.

b)

All mammals have hair. Dogs are mammals. Therefore, dogs have hair.

c)

My opponent wants to reduce taxes, so he must hate public services.

d)

Many people believe in ghosts, so ghosts must exist.

31.

What is the main purpose of using a Straw Man Fallacy in an argument?

a)

To misrepresent an opponent's position and make it easier to attack.

b)

To clarify the argument and make it more precise.

c)

To provide strong evidence for a claim.

d)

To summarize the main point of the argument.

32.

Name the fallacy committed in the following argument and explain why it is a fallacy.

Many celebrities endorse this product, so it must be the best on the market.

a)

Straw Man

b)

Ad Populum

c)

False Dichotomy

d)

Appeal to Authority