Deck 1: The Power of Critical Thinking

Question 1

Critical thinking is fundamentally concerned with the _______ of our beliefs.

A) cause
B) psychological basis
C) quality
D) practical impact

Answer 1

quality

Question 2

Statements backed by good reasons are

A) beyond criticism.
B) impossible to doubt.
C) worthy of acceptance.
D) virtually certain.

Answer 2

worthy of acceptance.

Question 3

In critical thinking, the assertion of reasons in support of a statement is known as a(n)

A) explanation.
B) claim.
C) argument.
D) reason.

Answer 3

argument.

Question 4

Critical thinking is _______ because it involves distinct procedures and methods.

A) rational
B) important
C) systematic
D) logical

Question 5

According to the text, the study of critical thinking tends to make people

A) excessively critical and cynical.
B) enlightened and empowered.
C) creatively constrained.
D) emotionally cold.

Question 6

Rather than giving us reasons for believing that something is the case, a(n) _______ tells us why or how something is the case.

A) premise
B) explanation
C) argument
D) inference

Question 7

According to the text, critical thinking actually complements

A) traditional ideas and values.
B) our feelings and emotions.
C) prejudices and stereotypes.
D) popular beliefs and conventions.

Question 8

The study of good reasoning and the rules that govern it is known as

A) critical thinking.
B) philosophy.
C) argumentation.
D) logic.

Question 9

The statement that the premises of an argument are intended to support is called the

A) claim.
B) conclusion.
C) inference.
D) explanation.

Question 10

The sentence- "Going to war in Iraq was a mistake" -is an example of a(n)

A) argument.
B) argument with an implied premise.
C) implicit conclusion.
D) statement.

Question 11

A consequence of not thinking critically is

A) personal success.
B) a loss of personal freedom.
C) creative constraint.
D) greater control.

Question 12

According to the text, critical thinking and creativity are

A) the same thing.
B) complementary.
C) mutually exclusive.
D) entirely unrelated.

Question 13

Once you know what conclusion someone is trying to establish, identifying the argument's premises becomes

A) more difficult.
B) unnecessary.
C) easier.
D) impossible.

Question 14

Which of the following sentences is not a statement?

A) The guest speakers were boring.
B) A triangle has three sides.
C) Please mind your manners.
D) Sexual harassment should be a crime.

Question 15

In critical thinking, an argument is a

A) feud.
B) set of statements attacking an opponent.
C) set of statements that prove empirical claims beyond all doubt.
D) set of statements intending to provide reasons for accepting another statement.

Question 16

The cause of your beliefs is the central concern of critical thinking.

Question 17

In critical thinking, beliefs are evaluated by how well they are supported by reasons.

Question 18

Critical thinking is not about how you think, but what you think.

Question 19

Critical thinking can go hand in hand with creativity because it can be used to assess and enhance our creative productions.

Question 20

Statements, or claims, are either true or false.

Question 21

When evaluating statements, the strength of your belief should depend on the quality of reasons in favor of the statements.

Question 22

Critical thinking is mainly about proving people wrong.

Question 23

Statements given in support of another statement are called premises.

Question 24

A declaration of beliefs can sometimes constitute an argument.

Question 25

Even in good arguments, premises are not always explicit.

Question 26

An argument is a group of statements in which some of them (the premises) are intended to support another of them (the conclusion).

Question 27

If you clearly state your beliefs on a subject, then you have presented an argument.

Question 28

An argument tells us why or how something is the case, but an explanation gives us reasons for believing that something is the case.

Question 29

The statement-"People have a respect for life because they adhere to certain ethical standards"-is an explanation.

Question 30

Probably the best advice for anyone trying to identify arguments is to look for the conclusion first.

Question 31

According to the text, critical thinking provides the best possible defense against error, manipulation, and prejudice.

Question 32

Critical thinking and logic are indistinguishable.

Question 33

In ordinary prose, arguments usually are clearly labeled.

Question 34

In any kind of nonfiction writing, arguments can never be mixed with emotional or passionate material.

Question 35

A bona fide argument has only one conclusion and one premise.

Question 36

What is the difference between persuasion and critical thinking?

Question 37

Why is it important to critically examine your beliefs?

Question 38

Why do some people believe that critical thinking is opposed to creativity, and why is this belief mistaken according to the text?

Question 39

In what ways is critical thinking personally empowering?

Question 40

Why are arguments sometimes difficult to identify?

Question 41

What is the role of reasons in critical thinking?

Question 42

What are indicator words and how can they help you identify an argument?

Question 43

How does an explanation differ from an argument?

Question 44

What is probably the best advice for anyone trying to evaluate an argument? What is the rationale behind this advice?

Question 45

Give an example of an argument about an important social issue.