PA

Question 1

Which sentence reflects strong critical thinking?

A. “Although my opponent has proven to be less than honest, I welcome the opportunity to engage in meaningful debate.”
B. “The issues at hand are quite simple, and the solutions are clear.”
C. “Because I am honest and unbiased, I am confident in my position.”
D. “In any event, our purpose is to better understand the relevant issues so that we may make an informed decision on the topic.”

Answer 1

D. “In any event, our purpose is to better understand the relevant issues so that we may make an informed decision on the topic.”

Question 2

Since inflation is rising rapidly, and because we are approaching the point at which reversal is not possible, it follows that we need to institute a new economic policy, and we need to act quickly.

Which two statements contain premises of the given argument?

A. We need to institute a new economic policy.
B. Inflation is rising rapidly.
C. We are approaching the point at which reversal is not possible.
D. We need to act quickly.

Answer 2

B. Inflation is rising rapidly.
C. We are approaching the point at which reversal is not possible.

Question 3

“Products manufactured in our country are the best because we make the best automobiles,” declared Kennedy.

Which two descriptors best characterize Kennedy’s comments?
Choose 2 answers.

A. A strong argument
B. An inference
C. A weak argument
D. A proposition

Answer 3

B. An inference
C. A weak argument

Question 4

Which two sentences are propositions?

Choose 2 answers.

A. Lending helps stimulate capital investment.
B. Let’s focus on the economy today!
C. A strong economy is vital to national security.
D. What do you think is important?

Answer 4

A. Lending helps stimulate capital investment.
C. A strong economy is vital to national security.

Question 5

I have grown bored since last week.

Which descriptor accurately characterizes this sentence?

A. Strong argument
B. Weak argument
C. Inference
D. Proposition

Answer 5

D. Proposition

Question 5

Usually when home team fans come out smiling and celebrating at the conclusion of a match, that means the home team won. At the conclusion of the match, many home team fans came out smiling and celebrating. I, therefore, concluded that the home team won.

Which term describes this argument?

A. Inductive
B. Sound
C. Valid
D. Deductive

Answer 5

A. Inductive

Question 6

I have seen the sun rise every day for many years. I, therefore, conclude that the sun will rise again tomorrow.

Which term describes this argument?

A. Valid
B. Cogent
C. Deductive
D. Weak

Answer 6

B. Cogent

Question 7

All bears are wild. Smokey is a bear. Therefore, Smokey is wild.

Which term describes the argument?

A. Inductive
B. Invalid
C. Deductive
D. Abductive

Answer 7

C. Deductive

Question 8

People should pay their taxes since paying taxes is the right thing to do.

Which type of logic error is this an example of?

A. Denying the antecedent
B. Affirming the consequent
C. Begging the question
D. The fallacy fallacy

Answer 8

C. Begging the question

Question 9

One should not speed because speeding is wrong.

Which type of logic error is this an example of?

A. Affirming the consequent
B. Denying the antecedent
C. The fallacy fallacy
D. Begging the question

Answer 9

D. Begging the question

Question 10

My opponent argues that kangaroos can hop because hopping is something that kangaroos are able to do. Since my opponent has committed the fallacy of begging the question, one must infer that their conclusion is false, and that kangaroos cannot hop.

Which type of logic error is this an example of?

A. Non-argument
B. The fallacy fallacy
C. Affirming the consequent
D. Denying the antecedent

Answer 10

B. The fallacy fallacy

Question 11

If Bo is kind, then Bo is wealthy. Bo is wealthy. Therefore, Bo is kind.

This is an example of which type of logic error?

A. Denying the antecedent
B. Affirming the consequent
C. Begging the question
D. The fallacy fallacy

Answer 11

B. Affirming the consequent

Question 12

Which type of logic error is the following argument an example of?

“My opponents argue that all giraffes have long necks because anyone who disagrees is a fool. Since my opponents are guilty of the ad hominem fallacy, we must infer that their conclusion is false, and that giraffes do not have long necks.”

A. Affirming the consequent
B. The fallacy fallacy
C. Begging the question
D. Denying the antecedent

Answer 12

B. The fallacy fallacy

Question 13

Which statement is accurate regarding bias in information sources?

A. All sources have bias, but this is irrelevant since all readers have bias.
B. All sources have bias, so individuals should consult those that best align with their views.
C. All sources have bias, so they are all equally credible.
D. All sources have bias, but some are more credible than others.

Answer 13

D. All sources have bias, but some are more credible than others.

Question 14

A news outlet issues a correction and an apology for incorrect information it published.

In the absence of further information, what does this news outlet’s action suggest about its credibility?

A. The source appears credible because it is unbiased.
B. The source appears credible because it is concerned with accuracy.
C. The source lacks credibility because it is biased.
D. The source lacks credibility because it is unprofessional.

Answer 14

B. The source appears credible because it is concerned with accuracy.

Question 15

Which two characterizations are most accurate regarding the credibility of information sources?

Choose 2 answers.

A. Political sources are seldom credible.
B. Sources may lack credibility for a variety of reasons.
C. The credibility of sources spans a spectrum.
D. If a source makes a single claim that is not credible, the source should never be trusted again.

Answer 15

B. Sources may lack credibility for a variety of reasons.
C. The credibility of sources spans a spectrum.

Question 16

Why is identifying the author essential in determining a source’s credibility?

A. It helps to determine if the author has relevant expertise.
B. It helps to determine if they share one’s beliefs and values.
C. It helps determine if a source is generated by artificial intelligence.
D. It helps determine if the author has a vast social media presence.

Answer 16

A. It helps to determine if the author has relevant expertise.

Question 17

What is a logical step for critical thinkers to take if they are uncertain about the reliability of a source?

A. Assume the source is unreliable and search for other reliable sources.
B. Refer to the arguments of the source without citing where the information came from.
C. Verify the reliability of a source by cross-referencing with additional source materials.
D. Disregard any credibility concerns and use the source as support for sub-arguments.

Answer 17

C. Verify the reliability of a source by cross-referencing with additional source materials.

Question 18

Which statement represents a logical reaction to a source claiming to be free from bias?

A. “This may be true because bias and credibility are predicated upon personal experience.”
B. “This is most likely true because all sources are free of bias.”
C. “This can’t be true because all sources contain bias.”
D. This can’t be true because all sources contain falsehoods.”

Answer 18

C. “This can’t be true because all sources contain bias.”

Question 19

How could podcasts, newscasts, and talk radio be less biased?

A. By featuring experts who offer contrary viewpoints
B. By restricting viewership to paid subscribers only
C. By channeling programming through social media only
D. By stating disclaimers that acknowledge ideological viewpoints

Answer 19

A. By featuring experts who offer contrary viewpoints

Question 20

What are two ways in which the internet has complicated a critical thinking approach to finding reliable sources?

Choose 2 answers.

A. Sources are more easily located yet not consistently credible.
B. Sources are more easily located but none are credible.
C. Sources are more easily located and generally credible.
D. Sources are more easily located but still need to be verified.

Answer 20

A. Sources are more easily located yet not consistently credible.
D. Sources are more easily located but still need to be verified.

Question 21

Which factor should people focus on when evaluating internet-based information sources for credibility?

A. Readability
B. Content
C. Links
D. Design

Answer 21

B. Content

Question 22

Why should people read other articles published by the same source when they locate an article of interest on the internet?

A. To determine whether the source accepts advertising
B. To determine whether the source publishes sensationalized or overtly biased stories
C. To determine whether the articles published by the source generally relate to politics
D. To determine whether social media users generally condone the articles

Answer 22

B. To determine whether the source publishes sensationalized or overtly biased stories

Question 23

A person encounters an internet source with a headline of “This is NOT a hoax!”

Which conclusion would be reasonable for this person to make?

A. The source is credible.
B. The story is exclusive.
C. The content is sensationalized.
D. The information is urgent.

Answer 23

C. The content is sensationalized.

Question 24

For which two reasons do critical thinkers follow the principle of charity?

Choose 2 answers.

A. To minimize time and expense
B. To confuse their opponents
C. To present a more convincing argument
D. To discover the truth

Answer 24

C. To present a more convincing argument
D. To discover the truth

Question 25

Which two descriptions accurately characterize the nature of human beliefs?

A. Subject to bias
B. Always accurate
C. Sometimes irrational
D. Never logical

Answer 25

A. Subject to bias
C. Sometimes irrational

Question 26

Why can heuristics be advantageous?

A. They enable individuals to make quick decisions.
B. They remind individuals to slow their thought processes.
C. They conform to the principle of charity.
D. They help individuals avoid cognitive biases.

Answer 26

A. They enable individuals to make quick decisions.

Question 27

An individual read a report that professional athletes spend an average of thirty hours per week exercising at the gym. Based on this report, the individual concludes that people who belong to a gym spend an average of thirty hours per week exercising.

Which concept does this conclusion illustrate?

A. Selection bias
B. The principle of charity
C. Anchoring
D. Representativeness

Answer 27

A. Selection bias

Question 28

Quinn favors strict industry regulations. Robin disagrees because they would increase costs for many businesses and stifle the economy. Robin does, however, understand and acknowledge that industrial operations have environmental and social impacts and that regulatory measures may help prevent unnecessary harm.

Which argumentation concept does this passage illustrate?

A. The principle of charity
B. Confirmation bias
C. Heuristics
D. Availability

Answer 28

A. The principle of charity

Question 29

Which argumentation concept does the following passage illustrate?

“Some people point to the large number of unidentified flying object sightings and the discovery of many earth-like planets in the universe as evidence of extraterrestrial life. I don’t take this evidence seriously, though, because I do not believe in extraterrestrial life.”

A. Representativeness
B. Confirmation bias
C. Denying the antecedent
D. Anchoring and adjustment

Answer 29

B. Confirmation bias

Question 30

A person is buying a car. The car salesperson initially quotes a base price. The buyer relies on this initial quote to make a purchasing decision despite the subsequent addition of options that significantly increase the final price.

Which cognitive bias is the buyer exhibiting?

A. Anchoring and adjustment
B. Affirming the consequent
C. Representativeness
D. Denying the antecedent

Answer 30

A. Anchoring and adjustment

Question 31

A university student surveys incoming freshmen to understand how students at the university feel about a proposed tuition increase.

Which statements are true regarding this statistical sample?

Choose 2 answers.

A. It is not representative.
B. It is representative.
C. It is not random.
D. It is random.

Answer 31

A. It is not representative.
C. It is not random.

Question 32

Alex notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social media posts, and other information she sees on the internet reinforce her belief that the government is conspiring against her.

Based on this information, which conclusion can Alex reasonably have regarding her view on the issue?

A. Her belief is inaccurate.
B. Her suspicion is correct.
C. Most people agree with her belief.
D. She cannot conclude anything.

Answer 32

D. She cannot conclude anything.

Question 33

Why do strong critical thinkers monitor their own biases?

Choose 2 answers.

A. To understand how their biases influence their thinking
B. To minimize their biases
C. To demonstrate that they have fewer biases than their opponents
D. To eliminate their biases

Answer 33

A. To understand how their biases influence their thinking
B. To minimize their biases

Question 34

A person notices that many of the news articles, blogs, social media posts, and other information he sees on the internet mirror his personal likes and dislikes.

Based on this information, what can this person reasonably conclude?

A. His likes and dislikes are incorrect.
B. Algorithms may be linking him with like-minded information.
C. Most people agree with his likes and dislikes.
D. His likes and dislikes are correct.

Answer 34

B. Algorithms may be linking him with like-minded information.

Question 35

95% of American citizens are billionaires. Sam is an American citizen. Therefore, Sam is a billionaire.

Which set of terms classify this argument?

A. Valid and sound
B. Valid and unsound
C. Strong and cogent
D. Strong and uncogent

Answer 35

D. Strong and uncogent

Question 36

A person is considering what transportation to use when visiting a friend in a different city. The first thing that comes to mind is a recent news story about a train crash. They decide that the train is not a safe travel option.

What kind of bias are they exhibiting?

A. Confirmation bias
B. Anchoring bias
C. Availability bias
D. Selection bias

Answer 36

C. Availability bias

Question 37

“There are not any good seafood restaurants in this city. I tried two, and they were both terrible.”

Which fallacy of weak induction best describes this example?

A. Slippery slope
B. Hasty generalization
C. Appeal to ignorance
D. Equivocation

Answer 37

B. Hasty generalization

Question 38

A flight attendant accidentally spills a drink on a passenger. The passenger tells a friend that the flight attendants for the airline are incompetent.

Which fallacy of weak induction best describes this example?

A. Hasty generalization
B. Slippery slope
C. Appeal to ignorance
D. Equivocation

Answer 38

A. Hasty generalization

Question 39

A teacher talks with a student about failing to turn in homework. The student replies by expressing a desire to dress up as a superhero for Halloween.

Which response best matches this fallacy of relevance?

A. False cause
B. Straw man
C. Genetic fallacy
D. Red herring

Answer 39

D. Red herring

Question 40

Either everyone will devour this pecan pie, or they will choose another dessert.

Which two statements accurately describe this proposition?

Choose 2 answers.

A. The proposition includes a false dichotomy.
B. The proposition assumes the truth of the conclusion in the premise.
C. The proposition contains black and white thinking.
D. The proposition mistakes causation for correlation.

Answer 40

A. The proposition includes a false dichotomy.
C. The proposition contains black and white thinking.

Question 41

Which fallacy of weak induction best describes the following example?

“If we allow the children to stay home from school today, they will expect to stay home every time it snows. Next they will expect to stay home whenever it rains, when it is too cold, too hot, or even too nice outside. Eventually the children will stay home from school every day.”

A. Slippery slope
B. Appeal to ignorance
C. Hasty generalization
D. Equivocation

Answer 41

A. Slippery slope

Question 42

A soccer fan buys a jersey with his favorite player’s name and number on the back. When the player’s performance decreases, the fan attributes it to the jersey he bought.

Which fallacy of weak induction best describes this argument?

A. Appeal to ignorance
B. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc
C. Shifting the burden of proof
D. Slippery slope

Answer 42

B. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc

Question 43

“Peyton is an excellent dentist, so she sings well.”

Which statement represents the hidden assumption that would make this argument valid?

A. All excellent dentists sing well.
B. Peyton has many hobbies.
C. Nobody who is a dentist also sings.
D. Some singers are dentists.

Answer 43

A. All excellent dentists sing well.

Question 44

Which argument contains the general-specific pattern?

A. Dogs are domesticated carnivores, so dogs have been selectively bred.
B. Dogs are a subspecies of a wolf and collie is a breed of dog, so collies are wolves.
C. Dogs were the first species to be domesticated, so dogs make the best pets.
D. Dogs are keenly attuned to human behavior, so dogs are a person’s best friend.

Answer 44

B. Dogs are a subspecies of a wolf and collie is a breed of dog, so collies are wolves.

Question 45

Ren is an excellent barista, so he is a master chess player.

Which statement represents the hidden assumption that would best complete this argument?

A. Ren is very analytical.
B. Ren is a master barista.
C. Anyone who is an excellent barista must be a master chess player.
D. Anyone can become a master chess player.

Answer 45

C. Anyone who is an excellent barista must be a master chess player.

Question 46

Traces of ammonia have been found in Mars’ atmosphere. So there must be life on Mars.

Which statement summarizes the hidden assumption in the given argument?

A. Ammonia is a colorless gas with a pungent smell.
B. Mars is the only inhabitable planet in our solar system.
C. Only living things produce ammonia.
D. Ammonia levels are difficult to measure on Mars.

Answer 46

C. Only living things produce ammonia.

Question 47

“All dogs have four legs. Grover is a dog, because Grover barks like a dog. So Grover has four legs.”

Which statement represents indirect support?

A. All four-legged animals are dogs.
B. Grover barks like a dog.
C. All dogs have four legs.
D. Grover has four legs.

Answer 47

B. Grover barks like a dog.

Question 48

“If magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, then magic is real. Magicians can pull rabbits out of hats. Therefore, I know that magic is real.”

Which two statements represent conjoint support when mapping this example to a body of propositions?

Choose 2 answers.

A. I know that magic is real.
B. Either magic is real or magic is not real.
C. Magicians can pull rabbits out of hats.
D. If magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, then magic is real.

Answer 48

C. Magicians can pull rabbits out of hats.
D. If magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, then magic is real.

Question 49

Which two sentences reflect strong critical thinking?

Choose 2 answers.

A. You can trust my conclusion; I am not biased in any way.
B. I am unsure of the answer; I will need to research the issue further.
C. My opponent’s position is contrary to mine; my opponent, however, raises some good questions.
D. Some say we should act now; those people are not very smart.

Answer 49

B. I am unsure of the answer; I will need to research the issue further.
C. My opponent’s position is contrary to mine; my opponent, however, raises some good questions.

Question 50

Which two statements best characterize the following argument?

“Coffee has caffeine; therefore, it has stimulating effects.”

Choose 2 answers.

A. The argument includes a single conclusion.
B. The argument includes two conclusions.
C. The argument includes a single premise.
D. The argument needs to be mapped using a tree diagram.

Answer 50

A. The argument includes a single conclusion.
C. The argument includes a single premise.