Critical Thinking & Argument Evaluation Flashcards
7 cards from real NBT 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 & Argument Evaluation flashcards as text
Which of the following most weakens the argument: 'Our city's recycling program must be working because the amount of trash sent to landfills has decreased by 20%'?
Answer: The city also introduced significant population decline during the same period
A 20% population decline would reduce trash independent of the recycling program, undermining the causal link.
What is the difference between a deductive and an inductive argument?
Answer: Deductive arguments guarantee their conclusions if premises are true; inductive arguments only support conclusions with probability
In a valid deductive argument, true premises guarantee a true conclusion; inductive arguments yield probable but not certain conclusions.
A counter-argument to a position is most effective when it:
Answer: Directly addresses and refutes the strongest version of the opposing claim
Addressing the strongest form of the opposing argument — a practice called 'steelmanning' — makes a counter-argument most persuasive and intellectually honest.
Read: 'Students who study with music playing get better grades, so playing music causes higher achievement.' Which additional information would most strengthen this conclusion?
Answer: A controlled experiment showed grades improved when music was introduced but not in the silent control group
A controlled experiment with a comparison group is needed to establish causation rather than mere correlation.
An argument that assumes the truth of its conclusion in one of its premises is committing which fallacy?
Answer: Begging the question (circular reasoning)
Begging the question occurs when the conclusion is smuggled into a premise, making the argument circular.
Which of the following is the strongest analogy for evaluating an argument's structure?
Answer: An argument is like a building — if the foundation (premises) is weak, the structure (conclusion) collapses
Just as a building requires a solid foundation, an argument's conclusion depends entirely on the strength of its premises.
If an author presents only evidence that supports their position while ignoring contradictory data, they are committing:
Answer: Confirmation bias or cherry-picking
Selectively using only supporting evidence while ignoring contradicting evidence is called cherry-picking or confirmation bias.