Question 1

In "While some scientists may disagree, it is generally accepted that homosexuality is a genetic trait," the statement "some scientists may disagree" is a
A) hedge.
B) discount.
C) assurance.
D) premise.

Accepted Answer

B

Question 2

The Principle of Charity requires that we
A) put an ambiguous or unclear argument in the best possible light when rewriting it as a well-crafted argument.
B) ignore mistakes in reasoning when we agree with an argument's conclusion.
C) not distort an argument's meaning when rewriting it as a well-crafted one.
D) correct any mistakes in reasoning in an argument we are analyzing.

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a report?
A) A mammal is a warm-blooded animal that nurses its young. So, for example, whales, cats and . humans are mammals but turtles, birds, and insects are not.
B) If Germany had invented the atomic bomb first, they would have won World War II.
C) 73 percent of all Americans are opposed to the death penalty.
D) Skunks get hit by cars more than other animals because they tend to stand their ground rather than flee.

Accepted Answer

A report is a piece of writing that presents information on a particular topic. Choice C is a report because it presents information on the percentage of Americans who are opposed to the death penalty.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of an explanation?
A) A mammal is a warm-blooded animal that nurses its young. So, for example, whales, cats and . humans are mammals but turtles, birds, and insects are not.
B) If Germany had invented the atomic bomb first, they would have won World War II.
C) 73 percent of all Americans are opposed to the death penalty.
D) Skunks get hit by cars more than other animals because they tend to stand their ground rather than flee.

Accepted Answer

An explanation provides reasons or causes for a phenomenon. Option D explains why skunks get hit by cars more often than other animals.

Question 5

Which of the following is an example of an illustration?
A)A mammal is a warm-blooded animal that nurses its young. So, for example, whales, cats and . humans are mammals but turtles, birds, and insects are not.
B) If Germany had invented the atomic bomb first, they would have won World War II.
C) 73 percent of all Americans are opposed to the death penalty.
D) Skunks get hit by cars more than other animals because they tend to stand their ground rather than flee.

Accepted Answer

An illustration is an example that helps to clarify or explain something. Choice A provides examples of mammals to illustrate the definition of a mammal.

Question 6

The Principle of Fairness requires that we
A) consider an individual to be innocent until proven guilty.
B) not eliminate anything-including repetitions, assurances, and so on-when rewriting an argument as a well-crafted one.
C) place the burden of proof on the person whose view is contrary to the majority opinion.
D) be loyal to the original argument and not distort its meaning when rewriting it as a well-crafted argument.

Accepted Answer

The Principle of Fairness requires that when rewriting an argument, we must remain loyal to the original argument and not distort its meaning, ensuring that the argument is represented accurately and fairly.

Question 7

Which of the following is not a principle for rewriting arguments as well-crafted ones?
A) Be fair and charitable in interpreting the argument.
B) Employ uniform language.
C) Eliminate excess verbiage (e.g., discounts, assurances, hedges, repetition).
D) Place all conclusions and subconclusions after all premises.

Accepted Answer

The principle of placing all conclusions and subconclusions after all premises is not a standard guideline for rewriting arguments. Instead, conclusions can be stated before or after premises, depending on clarity and logical flow.

Question 8

Some arguments are false.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some arguments are false....

Question 9

If a passage contains a conditional statement, then it does not contain an argument.

Accepted Answer

A conditional statement can be part of an argument, often serving as a premise or conclusion within a larger argumentative structure.

Question 10

Words like "because" and "since" are always followed by a premise.

Accepted Answer

"Because" and "since" can introduce reasons or explanations, but they do not always follow a premise; they can also introduce new information or explanations.

Question 11

Commands are never statements.

Accepted Answer

Commands can be considered a type of statement in programming, as they instruct the computer to perform specific actions.

Question 12

Well-crafted arguments should retain any repetition found in an argument because it emphasizes a point or makes it more understandable.

Accepted Answer

Repetition can be useful for emphasis, but excessive repetition can make an argument less clear and more tedious, detracting from its effectiveness.

Question 13

The Principle of Fairness requires that we be loyal to the original argument and not distort its meaning when rewriting it as a well-crafted argument.

Accepted Answer

The Principle of Fairness emphasizes accurately representing the original argument's intent and meaning when rephrasing or reconstructing it.

Question 14

A subconclusion is a statement that serves both as a conclusion and as a premise.

Accepted Answer

A subconclusion acts as a conclusion for one part of an argument and as a premise for another part, linking different sections of the argument together.

Question 15

An argument diagram should include all statements from the passage.

Accepted Answer

An argument diagram should include only the statements that are relevant to the argument's structure, such as premises and conclusions, not every statement from the passage.

Question 16

An argument is a set of statements intended to provide information about a situation, topic, or event.

Accepted Answer

The answer of An argument is a set of statements...

Question 17

In a well-crafted version of an argument, the conclusion is stated last.

Accepted Answer

In a well-crafted argument, the conclusion is typically stated last, after the premises have been presented and supported. This allows the reader to follow the logical progression of the argument and to see how the premises lead to the conclusion.

Question 18

Rhetorical questions are statements.

Accepted Answer

Rhetorical questions are phrased as questions but are meant to make a point rather than elicit an answer, functioning more like statements.

Question 19

A discount is when you get something for less than the normal price.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A discount is when you get something...

Question 20

A hedge is a row of bushes planted to provide privacy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A hedge is a row of bushes...

Quiz 2: Identifying Arguments

In "While some scientists may disagree, it is generally accepted that homosexuality is a genetic trait," the statement "some scientists may disagree" is a

The Principle of Charity requires that we

Which of the following is an example of a report?

Which of the following is an example of an explanation?

Which of the following is an example of an illustration?

The Principle of Fairness requires that we

Which of the following is not a principle for rewriting arguments as well-crafted ones?