Identifying Logical Fallacies Questions and Answers Flashcards
7 cards from real Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
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A politician says, 'My opponent has never run a business, so his economic policies will ruin the country.' Which fallacy is this?
Answer: Ad hominem (circumstantial)
Circumstantial ad hominem attacks the person's background or circumstances rather than addressing the argument itself.
'Either we pass stricter gun control laws or gun violence will destroy society.' What fallacy does this commit?
Answer: False dilemma
The false dilemma (or false dichotomy) presents only two options when more alternatives exist.
A doctor claims that because she recovered from cancer after eating a special diet, the diet must cure cancer. This is an example of:
Answer: Post hoc ergo propter hoc
Post hoc ergo propter hoc assumes causation from mere sequence in time — recovery followed the diet, so the diet caused recovery.
Someone argues: 'You say we should reduce sugar intake, but I saw you eating cake last week.' Which fallacy is this?
Answer: Tu quoque (appeal to hypocrisy)
Tu quoque deflects criticism by pointing to the critic's inconsistent behavior rather than addressing the argument.
The argument 'No one has ever proven that aliens don't exist, so aliens must exist' commits which fallacy?
Answer: Appeal to ignorance (argumentum ad ignorantiam)
Appeal to ignorance treats the absence of disproof as proof of a claim's truth.
A school board argues: 'Our top graduate became a CEO, so our school produces excellent leaders.' This best illustrates:
Answer: Hasty generalization
Hasty generalization draws a broad conclusion from an insufficient or unrepresentative sample (one graduate).
An advertisement states: 'This supplement has been used for 500 years in ancient cultures, so it must be effective.' Which fallacy is present?
Answer: Appeal to tradition (argumentum ad antiquitatem)
Appeal to tradition assumes that something is good or correct simply because it has been practiced for a long time.