Identifying Logical Fallacies Questions and Answers Flashcards
6 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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Argument: 'Either we invest massively in military spending, or we will be invaded by foreign powers.' What fallacy does this commit?
Answer: False dilemma — it presents only two options when many middle-ground positions exist.
The argument presents only two extreme options (massive investment or invasion) while ignoring moderate defense strategies, alliances, diplomacy, and other security approaches.
Argument: 'This must be a good wine — it won the International Wine Competition in 2019.' What fallacy might this commit?
Answer: Appeal to authority — the award is treated as sufficient proof of quality without broader evidence.
A competition award is an authority's judgment — treating it as definitive proof of quality relies on appeal to authority without considering subjective taste, context of competition, or vintage variation.
A politician says: 'My opponent voted against increasing police budgets, which shows he doesn't care about public safety.' What fallacy is this?
Answer: Straw man — it misrepresents the opponent's position to make it easier to attack.
The opponent's vote against budget increases may reflect a preference for alternative public safety approaches (community programs, mental health services) — the politician unfairly characterizes this as not caring about safety.
Argument: 'Thousands of people have bought this supplement, so it must be effective.' What fallacy does this commit?
Answer: Ad populum (bandwagon fallacy) — popularity is used as evidence of effectiveness.
The number of buyers reflects marketing success, price, and accessibility, not clinical effectiveness — popularity does not establish efficacy.
Statement: 'We shouldn't take Dr. Lee's research on climate change seriously — she drives a large SUV.' What fallacy is this?
Answer: Tu quoque (appeal to hypocrisy) — attacking the person's behavior to discredit their argument.
Tu quoque dismisses an argument by pointing to the speaker's allegedly hypocritical behavior, rather than addressing the substance of the research.
Argument: 'Alternative medicine has been practiced for thousands of years, which proves it is effective.' What type of fallacy is this?
Answer: Appeal to tradition — long historical use is treated as proof of effectiveness.
Many practices have been used for centuries that were later proven ineffective or harmful — historical longevity does not establish clinical efficacy.