Question 1

Which of the following is a characteristic of mathematical or scientific proof?
A) The support involves values and judgments.
B) A claim cannot be proven; it can only be supported.
C) The claims can often be proved with certainty.
D) A claim can only be used by scientific experts.

Accepted Answer

Mathematical or scientific proofs are designed to establish claims with certainty, using logical reasoning and empirical evidence. Unlike in other fields where evidence may suggest support for a claim without proving it definitively, in mathematics and many scientific disciplines, proofs aim to conclusively demonstrate the truth of a statement.

Question 2

Rhetorical proof consists of __________.
A) a claim, credibility, and common ground
B) reasons, rhetoric, and shared values
C) common values, beliefs, and judgments
D) supporting material, reasoning, and a claim

Accepted Answer

Rhetorical proof involves presenting supporting material and reasoning to back up a claim, effectively persuading the audience.

Question 3

Rhetorical proof is established by __________.
A) the interaction between the speaker's and audience's reasoning
B) the audience's critical listening
C) the speaker's use of claims
D) effective supporting material.

Accepted Answer

Rhetorical proof is established by the interaction between the speaker's and audience's reasoning.

Question 4

Sarah reasoned that (1) she had earned A's in three previous English classes, and (2) past success predicts future success, so (3) she will likely get an A in her current English class. In this example of rhetorical proof, statement (1) is the __________.
A) supporting material
B) proof
C) attention getter
D) reasoning

Accepted Answer

Statement (1) serves as the supporting material because it provides the factual basis or evidence for Sarah's argument that she will likely get an A in her current English class.

Question 5

If a case is inferred to be typical and there is nothing unusual about it, the case is referred to as a(n) __________.
A) extended example
B) false example
C) aggregate example
D) representative example

Accepted Answer

A representative example is a case that is considered typical and not unusual, accurately reflecting the larger group or category it is intended to represent.

Question 6

During his speech, Karl claimed that the elderly are bad drivers. He supported this claim by pointing out that his 75-year-old grandfather has had three accidents this year, an old lady was driving 10 mph under the speed limit the other day, and a 68-year-old woman ran into a building at the mall after having a stroke. Karl is using reasoning by __________.
A) example
B) sign
C) analogy
D) narrative

Accepted Answer

Karl is using reasoning by example, as he provides specific instances or examples (his grandfather's accidents, the old lady driving slowly, and the 68-year-old woman's accident) to support his general claim that the elderly are bad drivers.

Question 7

Jesse argues in his speech that drug use really is not a problem among teens because hardly anyone he knows has even tried drugs. Jesse uses his friends as examples, but this reasoning by example fails because the examples are __________.
A) not representative
B) analogous
C) hypothetical
D) false

Accepted Answer

Jesse's reasoning fails because his examples are not representative of the larger population of teens. His limited observation of his friends does not accurately reflect the broader situation regarding teen drug use.

Question 8

Statistics are a type of example known as __________ examples.
A) individual
B) aggregate
C) hypothetical
D) brief

Accepted Answer

Statistics are considered aggregate examples because they summarize or aggregate data from multiple sources or instances to provide a general overview or trend.

Question 9

Reasoning by comparing people, places, things, and events that are familiar to the audience to those that are unfamiliar to them is reasoning by __________.
A) analogy
B) cause
C) example
D) testimony

Accepted Answer

Reasoning by analogy involves comparing two similar cases and inferring that what is true for one case is also true for the other. This method often compares familiar situations to unfamiliar ones to help the audience understand or accept a point.

Question 10

What are the two types of analogy?
A) division and composition
B) metaphor and simile
C) literary and oral
D) literal and figurative

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the two types of analogy?
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Question 11

In a speech advocating gun control, Yuki argues that the United States would have fewer gun deaths if it made guns illegal because Japan has few gun deaths and guns are illegal there. What type of reasoning is Yuki using?
A) example
B) analogy
C) testimony
D) cause

Accepted Answer

Yuki is using analogy reasoning by comparing the situation in the United States with that in Japan, suggesting that similar actions (making guns illegal) would lead to similar outcomes (fewer gun deaths).

Question 12

Which of the following is least helpful when incorporating analogies into your speech?
A) using analogies sparingly
B) analyzing the two things you are comparing
C) using analogies sensitively
D) using analogies frequently

Accepted Answer

Using analogies frequently can dilute their impact and effectiveness, making them less helpful in enhancing the speech.

Question 13

Jimmy argues that the fact that major-league athletes are bigger, stronger, and faster than they were 20 years ago is an indicator that steroid use among these athletes has increased. What type of reasoning is this?
A) analogy
B) testimony
C) sign
D) narrative

Accepted Answer

Jimmy is using sign reasoning, which involves concluding that the presence of one thing indicates the presence of another. In this case, the increase in size, strength, and speed of athletes is taken as a sign of increased steroid use.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of reasoning by sign?
A) Gathering clouds and increased winds indicate that a storm is approaching.
B) A Surgeon General's warning indicates that smoking is harmful to your health.
C) Three straight playoff losses indicate that a team is unsuccessful in the postseason.
D) Inspiring stories of Michael Jordan, Bill Clinton, and Ross Perot indicate that even a person with a modest upbringing can be successful in America.

Accepted Answer

Reasoning by sign involves inferring a conclusion based on the presence of certain indicators or signs. Gathering clouds and increased winds are signs that a storm is approaching.

Question 15

Reasoning by sign proceeds by __________.
A) using specific instances to infer a general conclusion
B) showing that when one thing stands for another, one can infer the existence of what it stands for
C) inferring that facts or opinions from a reliable source are accurate and trustworthy
D) using a powerful story to lead the audience to the conclusion one wants to support

Accepted Answer

Reasoning by sign involves making inferences based on the presence of one thing indicating the presence of another. This is akin to understanding that when one thing (a sign) stands for another, the existence or presence of that sign allows one to infer the existence or presence of what it signifies.

Question 16

When Jerry argued that the rise in teen pregnancy over the past twenty years is a direct result of sex education in the primary schools, he was using what type of causal reasoning?
A) assignment of responsibility
B) explanation
C) common cause
D) steps to a goal

Accepted Answer

Jerry is assigning responsibility for the rise in teen pregnancy to sex education in primary schools.

Question 17

Reasoning by cause proceeds by __________.
A) using specific instances to infer a general conclusion
B) showing how one thing influences or brings about another
C) inferring that facts or opinions from a reliable source are accurate and trustworthy
D) using a powerful story to lead the audience to the conclusion one wants to support

Accepted Answer

Reasoning by cause involves showing how one thing influences or brings about another, establishing a cause-and-effect relationship.

Question 18

Charlton argued that if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. What kind of reasoning is this?
A) example
B) cause
C) analogy
D) narrative

Accepted Answer

Charlton's argument is based on cause-and-effect reasoning, suggesting that outlawing guns would lead to a situation where only those willing to break the law (outlaws) would possess guns.

Question 19

What is lay testimony?
A) factual testimony that can be verified
B) another name for opinion testimony
C) expert testimony that has been paraphrased
D) testimony from someone who is not an expert

Accepted Answer

Lay testimony is provided by a witness who is not testifying as an expert. This type of testimony is based on the witness's personal knowledge or observations, rather than on specialized knowledge or expertise.

Question 20

Shaleen wanted to show that subtle racism exists on her campus, so she interviewed a number of students about incidents of discrimination they had experienced. She shared their remarks with her classmates during her speech. What was Shaleen using in support of her claim?
A) analogies
B) signs
C) lay testimony
D) expert testimony

Accepted Answer

Shaleen was using lay testimony, which refers to the accounts or statements from ordinary people, in this case, students, about their personal experiences with discrimination. This type of evidence is used to support a claim through the experiences and observations of non-experts.

Quiz 8: Reasoning

Which of the following is a characteristic of mathematical or scientific proof?

Rhetorical proof consists of __________.

Rhetorical proof is established by __________.

Sarah reasoned that (1) she had earned A's in three previous English classes, and (2) past success predicts future success, so (3) she will likely get an A in her current English class. In this example of rhetorical proof, statement (1) is the __________.

If a case is inferred to be typical and there is nothing unusual about it, the case is referred to as a(n) __________.

Jesse argues in his speech that drug use really is not a problem among teens because hardly anyone he knows has even tried drugs. Jesse uses his friends as examples, but this reasoning by example fails because the examples are __________.

Statistics are a type of example known as __________ examples.

Reasoning by comparing people, places, things, and events that are familiar to the audience to those that are unfamiliar to them is reasoning by __________.

What are the two types of analogy?

In a speech advocating gun control, Yuki argues that the United States would have fewer gun deaths if it made guns illegal because Japan has few gun deaths and guns are illegal there. What type of reasoning is Yuki using?

Which of the following is least helpful when incorporating analogies into your speech?

Jimmy argues that the fact that major-league athletes are bigger, stronger, and faster than they were 20 years ago is an indicator that steroid use among these athletes has increased. What type of reasoning is this?

Which of the following is an example of reasoning by sign?

Reasoning by sign proceeds by __________.

When Jerry argued that the rise in teen pregnancy over the past twenty years is a direct result of sex education in the primary schools, he was using what type of causal reasoning?

Reasoning by cause proceeds by __________.

Charlton argued that if guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns. What kind of reasoning is this?

What is lay testimony?

Shaleen wanted to show that subtle racism exists on her campus, so she interviewed a number of students about incidents of discrimination they had experienced. She shared their remarks with her classmates during her speech. What was Shaleen using in support of her claim?