Verbal: Boldface and Method of Reasoning Flashcards

A passage: 'Studies show the drug works (boldface 1), but the studies were funded by the maker (boldface 2); the claim is therefore doubtful.' Boldface 1 is:

Answer: A claim the argument calls into question

The study result is a claim the argument proceeds to cast doubt on.

An argument attacks a claim by questioning the reliability of its source rather than its content. This method is:

Answer: Challenging the credibility of the evidence

Casting doubt on the source's reliability undercuts the evidence's credibility.

A method-of-reasoning argument predicts an outcome by extending a current trend into the future. This method is:

Answer: Extrapolation from a trend

Projecting a continuing trend forward to predict an outcome is extrapolation.

In a boldface question, boldface 1 is the author's conclusion and boldface 2 is an objection the author then dismisses. Boldface 2 is:

Answer: An objection the author rebuts

A raised-and-dismissed objection is a counterclaim the author rebuts.

An author defends a recommendation by showing its expected benefits outweigh its costs. This method is:

Answer: Cost-benefit weighing

Justifying an action by comparing benefits against costs is cost-benefit reasoning.

A boldface statement provides the reason that explains a phenomenon stated elsewhere. It functions as:

Answer: An explanatory premise

A statement giving the reason for a phenomenon serves as an explanatory premise.

An argument generalizes from a representative sample to a whole population. This method is:

Answer: Inductive generalization from a sample

Inferring a population-wide claim from a sample is inductive generalization.