Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Flashcards
7 cards from real GCAT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Critical Thinking and Problem Solving flashcards as text
Which of the following best describes a valid argument?
Answer: An argument where if the premises are true, the conclusion must be true
A valid argument is one where the conclusion necessarily follows from the premises, regardless of whether the premises are actually true.
If 'all roses are flowers' and 'some flowers fade quickly,' which conclusion is necessarily true?
Answer: Some roses are flowers
Since all roses are flowers, the set of roses is a subset of flowers, so it is necessarily true that some roses are flowers.
A manager notices sales increased after changing the office decor and concludes the decor caused the increase. What logical error is being made?
Answer: Post hoc ergo propter hoc — confusing correlation with causation
Assuming that because one event followed another the first caused the second is the post hoc ergo propter hoc fallacy.
Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?
Answer: All mammals are warm-blooded; dogs are mammals; therefore dogs are warm-blooded
Deductive reasoning moves from general premises to a specific conclusion that must be true if the premises are true.
Which research design best controls for bias when testing whether a new drug is effective?
Answer: Randomly assign participants to drug or placebo groups with neither group knowing which they received
A double-blind randomized controlled trial eliminates selection bias and placebo effects, providing the most reliable causal evidence.
Given 'No athletes are lazy' and 'Some students are athletes,' which conclusion necessarily follows?
Answer: Some students are not lazy
Since some students are athletes and no athletes are lazy, those student-athletes must not be lazy, so some students are not lazy.
Which of the following MOST strengthens the argument: 'We should invest in renewable energy because it reduces carbon emissions'?
Answer: Carbon emissions are a leading cause of climate change
Showing that carbon emissions cause serious harm (climate change) strengthens the argument by making their reduction more urgent and valuable.