AQL Critical Thinking and Analysis 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an example of a logical fallacy known as 'ad hominem'?
- Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself (Correct answer)
- Drawing a conclusion from insufficient evidence
- Assuming that because two things are correlated they are causally related
- Presenting only two options when more exist
Correct answer: Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself
An ad hominem fallacy attacks the character or credibility of a person rather than addressing the substance of their argument.
Question 2: What is deductive reasoning?
- Starting with a general principle and applying it to reach a specific conclusion (Correct answer)
- Starting with specific observations and drawing a general conclusion
- Using emotional appeals to persuade an audience
- Listing evidence without drawing any conclusion
Correct answer: Starting with a general principle and applying it to reach a specific conclusion
Deductive reasoning begins with a general premise and applies it to a specific case to reach a logically certain conclusion.
Question 3: Which of the following best defines 'inductive reasoning'?
- Using specific observations to form a general conclusion (Correct answer)
- Applying a universal law to a particular situation
- Repeating a claim until it seems true
- Accepting an argument because an authority figure stated it
Correct answer: Using specific observations to form a general conclusion
Inductive reasoning moves from specific observations or examples to a broader generalization or theory.
Question 4: A 'false dichotomy' fallacy occurs when:
- Only two options are presented as if no other possibilities exist (Correct answer)
- A conclusion is drawn from unrelated premises
- The same argument is repeated in different words
- A popular belief is accepted without question
Correct answer: Only two options are presented as if no other possibilities exist
A false dichotomy (or false dilemma) incorrectly limits the choices to just two when other valid options are actually available.
Question 5: What does it mean to 'evaluate the credibility' of a source?
- Assess the expertise, objectivity, and evidence quality of the source (Correct answer)
- Count the number of references it cites
- Determine whether the source is printed or online
- Check if the source is longer than five pages
Correct answer: Assess the expertise, objectivity, and evidence quality of the source
Evaluating credibility involves examining the author's qualifications, the objectivity of the content, and the strength of the evidence provided.
Question 6: Which of the following is the best example of an 'assumption' in an argument?
- An unstated belief that the argument depends on being true (Correct answer)
- A clearly stated conclusion supported by evidence
- A question posed to challenge the reader
- A statistic cited from a government report
Correct answer: An unstated belief that the argument depends on being true
An assumption is an unstated premise that the argument takes for granted and that, if false, would undermine the argument's conclusion.
AQL Critical Thinking and Analysis 1
Which of the following is an example of a logical fallacy known as 'ad hominem'?