102 quiz questions

a) The city will either raise taxes or cut spending. (b) The city cannot cut spending on schools. Therefore, (c) the city will raise taxes.

which sentences are premises for the argument in the passage?

both (a) and (b)

(a) Maria should not buy the car because (b) it is too expensive. (c) It is too expensive because (d) it requires a $10,000 down payment.

this passage contains two inferences. what sentence gives direct evidence for the main conclusion of the passage?

(b)

a) The city will either raise taxes or cut spending. (b) The city cannot cut spending on schools. Therefore, (c) the city will raise taxes.

which statement is the main conclusion?

(c)

(a) The new policy will reduce pollution since (b) it restricts diesel trucks in the downtown area. (c) It restricts diesel trucks because (d) air quality studies showed high particulate matter in that region.

what is the main conclusion of the passage?

(a)

(a) Maria should not buy the car because (b) it is too expensive. (c) It is too expensive because (d) it requires a $10,000 down payment.

what is the relationship between claim (b) and claim (c)

they’re the same claim

the sentence below is offered as a premise in an argument about the usefulness of a college degree.

• Some graduates of this university may become millionaires within five years.

judge whether this premise is acceptable (coherent, plausibly true, and relevant) or unacceptable (incoherent, implausible, or irrelevant to the argument).

acceptable

the sentence below is offered as a premise in an argument about UNLV Students.

• All students at UNLV are over the age of 30.

judge whether this premise is acceptable (coherent, plausibly true, and relevant) or unacceptable (incoherent, implausible, or irrelevant to the argument).

unacceptable

the sentence below is offered as a premise in an argument about hunting.

• If aliens exist, they must already be living among us in disguise.

judge whether this premise is acceptable (coherent, plausibly true, and relevant) or unacceptable (incoherent, implausible, or irrelevant to the argument).

unacceptable

read the argument below. then use the strength test to check the strength of the support that the premises give to the conclusion.

premise 1: Some students who eat breakfast score higher on exams.
premise 2: Maria ate breakfast today.
conclusion: Maria will score higher on her exam today.

not strong

read the argument below. then use the strength test to check the strength of the support that the premises give to the conclusion.

premise 1: Some birds can sing.
premise 2: Penguins are birds.
conclusion: Penguins can sing.

not strong

The car won’t start because the battery is dead. It also won’t start because there is no gas in the tank.

does this argument have a simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

independent

The road is icy because the temperature is below freezing. It is below freezing because the cold front moved in last night.

does this argument have simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

serial

We should recycle because it reduces waste. We should also recycle because it conserves resources.

does this argument have simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

independent

You should study for the exam because good preparation improves your grade. You should also study because it reduces anxiety.

does this argument have simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

independent

The medicine works because it was tested in clinical trials. It was tested in trials because the FDA required it.

does this argument have simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

serial

The lamp doesn’t turn on because the bulb is burnt out. The bulb is burnt out because the lamp has been left on all week.

does this argument have simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

serial

If the restaurant is open, we will eat dinner there. If we eat dinner there, we won’t cook at home. So, if the restaurant is open, we won’t cook at home.

does this argument have simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

simple

Either the package is at the post office or it has been delivered to my house. It is not at my house. So, it must be at the post office.

does this argument have simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

simple

The team will probably lose because their best player is injured. He is injured because he tore his ACL last week in practice. Also, they are playing the best team in the league.

does this argument have simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

compound

The bank will approve my loan if I have good credit. I have good credit because I pay my bills on time. So, the bank will approve my loan.

does this argument have simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

serial

If the sun is shining, the picnic will take place. Since the sun is shining, the picnic will take place.

does this argument have simple, independent, serial, or compound structures?

simple

He forgot to lock the door, so the alarm went off.

the conclusion indicator is ______

so

The medication was not approved; consequently, doctors cannot prescribe it.

the conclusion indicator is ________

consequently

Don't trust Mr. Whiskers. He steals food from the neighbors.

which sentence is the conclusion?

don’t trust mr. whiskers

You should skip class today. The professor already canceled the lecture. And you ought not feel guilty about attendance anyways.

in this passage, "ought not" is a conclusion semi-marker.

false

Use the Appeal to Expertise/Authority Scheme to decide what is the main conclusion of the following passage:

• Michelle Ungar is certified nutritionist who got her master's degree in nutrition from UNLV. She said that excess consumption of processed sugar is a major contributing factor in the development of so-called Type II diabetes. Processed sugar, it seems, is a factor in the epidemic of Type II diabetes.

Processed sugar, it seems, is a factor in the epidemic of Type II diabetes.

Which word/phrase is the premise indicator in this passage?

• You should take an umbrella since rain is in the forecast.

since

Which word/phrase is the premise indicator in this passage?

• She will probably win because she trained harder than anyone.

because

Which sentence in the passage is the conclusion?

• Exercise improves health. Exercise boosts mood. You should exercise regularly.

You should exercise regularly.