Short Answers

These are some short answers that will be on the exam.

How does an argument differ from a non-inferential passage?

Simple noninferential passages are unproblematic passages that lack a claim that anything is being proved.

How does a statement differ from a regular sentence?

A statement is a basic fact or opinion

Can predictions ever, in the strict sense, be sound?

Predictions cannot be sound because it has to be valid and has all true premises.

Can an argument be valid even if no statement in it is true?

A valid argument must have a true conclusion only if all of the premises are true. So it is possible for a valid argument to have a false conclusion as long as at least one premise is false.

How do vague statements differ from ambigious ones?

vague word has blurry boundaries whereas ambiguity is imprecise because its unclear which of the two or more distinct meanings is the one intended by the author.