Critical Thinking Quiz: Chapters 3-5
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary reason for making assumptions explicit in scientific arguments?

  • To eliminate all biases from research
  • To simplify complex ideas for the audience
  • To enhance transparency and allow for rigorous testing (correct)
  • To avoid any form of speculation

Which of the following consequences is associated with unexamined assumptions in research?

  • Leads to alternative explanations being ignored (correct)
  • Increases the reliability of findings
  • Supports clearer communication of ideas
  • Encourages collaborative problem-solving

How can assumptions negatively impact climate modeling?

  • By enhancing the clarity of future predictions
  • By ensuring predictions remain valid over time
  • By assuming constant conditions when they may not exist (correct)
  • By allowing for the integration of every possible variable

What is a key strategy for maintaining precision in scientific arguments?

<p>To explicitly identify and scrutinize assumptions (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which organizational method arranges ideas based on physical location or layout?

<p>Spatial organization (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does analysis involve in the context of understanding information?

<p>Breaking down information into smaller components (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of organization lists events or ideas in the order they occurred?

<p>Chronological organization (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why are assumptions considered problematic when based on unverified beliefs?

<p>They may lead to flawed conclusions and biases. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'principle of charity' entail in argument interpretation?

<p>Interpreting arguments in their strongest and most reasonable form. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to a responsibility to engage in fair and constructive debate?

<p>Dialectical obligation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are unsupported claims characterized by?

<p>Lack of sufficient evidence or justification. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'method of absurd examples' aim to demonstrate?

<p>The flaws in arguments using exaggerated or extreme examples. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fallacy occurs when premises are accepted without sufficient justification?

<p>Fallacies of satisfactoriness (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a counter-example used for in arguments?

<p>To challenge or disprove a generalization. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which strategy involves questioning the validity of an argument?

<p>Skeptic’s strategy (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes 'eristic' in arguing?

<p>A style focused on winning rather than understanding. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a problem statement?

<p>A clear, concise description of an issue that needs to be addressed. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does methodology refer to in research?

<p>The systematic analysis of methods used in a study. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which component ensures that all parts of a paragraph support the main idea?

<p>Unity (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a sentence fragment?

<p>A group of words that lacks essential components to be a complete sentence. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by tone in writing?

<p>The author's attitude conveyed through word choice and style. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of editing in the writing process?

<p>To correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a thesis statement in an essay?

<p>To summarize the main argument or claim clearly. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does coherence refer to in the context of paragraphs?

<p>The logical flow of ideas and connection between sentences. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a circular definition?

<p>A definition that uses the term itself in its explanation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What term refers to a statement that can only be true due to its definitional content?

<p>Analytical statement (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which option illustrates the concept of referential ambiguity?

<p>The phrase 'the team won' without context on which team. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements is considered a tautology?

<p>It is what it is. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a qualified statement from an unqualified statement?

<p>An unqualified statement lacks conditions. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which definition best describes an idiom?

<p>A phrase whose meaning is non-literal and not related to individual words. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term refers to language that unfairly biases a particular group?

<p>Prejudicial language (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a synthetic statement?

<p>Its truth or falsity requires empirical evidence. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of using anecdote in a piece of writing?

<p>To illustrate a point or add human interest. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does climactic organization involve in writing?

<p>Organizing ideas in increasing order of importance or intensity. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes irony?

<p>A contrast between expectations and reality. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What are premise indicators used for in an argument?

<p>To signal that a premise is being presented. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which type of argument relies on the opinion of an expert?

<p>Argument by authority. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is tonal ambiguity in writing?

<p>Multiple interpretations of the tone may exist. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by an inductive argument?

<p>An argument providing probable support for the conclusion. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about inference indicators?

<p>They signal the conclusion of an argument. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the main issue with the 'two wrongs make a right' fallacy?

<p>It assumes that two wrong actions make one acceptable. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which fallacy is exemplified by bringing up unrelated issues to deflect criticism?

<p>Whataboutism (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bothsidesism' imply about opposing viewpoints?

<p>That they are always equally valid. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which fallacy involves making a broad conclusion based on insufficient evidence?

<p>Hasty generalization (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'slippery slope' fallacy mislead in arguments?

<p>It incorrectly assumes one step leads to a chain of events without evidence. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does the 'loaded question' fallacy do?

<p>It contains an assumption that forces a certain perspective. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What assumption does the 'post hoc' fallacy make?

<p>Events must correlate by their timing alone to establish causality. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true regarding the 'reductive fallacy'?

<p>It reduces complex situations to a single cause or explanation. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Analogy

A comparison used to explain a complex concept by highlighting similarities between two things.

Analysis

Breaking down information to understand its parts, meaning, and purpose.

Spatial organization

Arranging content based on physical location or layout, like describing a room from top to bottom.

Chronological organization

Arranging events or ideas chronologically, from the earliest to the latest.

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Structural organization

Arranging ideas based on their structure, like paragraphs, sections, or segments.

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Relevant Expert

An expert in a specific field whose opinions or findings are directly relevant to the topic of the argument.

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Unverifiable Premise

A statement that cannot be confirmed or tested using evidence or observation.

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Unsupported Claim

A claim made without sufficient evidence or justification to back it up.

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S-test

A test to analyze the sufficiency, acceptability, and relevance of premises in an argument.

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Principle of Charity

The idea that when interpreting others' arguments, one should aim to present them in the most reasonable and strongest form.

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Dialectical Obligation

The responsibility to engage in fair and constructive debate, considering opposing views and responding to them logically.

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Explaining the Weakness

Identifying and addressing the weaknesses or flaws in one's own argument or the arguments of others.

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Counter-Examples

Examples used to challenge or disprove an argument or generalization.

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Shift in perspective (or tone)

A change in the point of view, narrative voice, or emotional tone within a piece of writing, often to convey a change in focus or to introduce new insights.

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Climactic organization

A structure where ideas or events are arranged in increasing order of importance or intensity, often leading to a peak or climax.

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Anecdote

A brief, personal story or account of a real event, often used to illustrate a point or add human interest.

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Irony

A contrast between expectations and reality, where something happens that is the opposite of what one might anticipate.

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Aporia

A rhetorical device used to express doubt or uncertainty about a particular idea or argument, often posing a question to the audience that suggests conflicting viewpoints.

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Tonal ambiguity

The presence of multiple interpretations of the tone or attitude of a piece of writing, where the emotional or stylistic tone may be unclear or open to different readings.

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Argument

A statement or series of statements intended to convince someone of a particular point of view, typically involving premises and a conclusion.

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Premise

A statement that provides support or evidence for the conclusion in an argument.

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Entry point

The starting point or angle from which a subject or discussion is introduced or approached.

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Jargon

Specialized or technical language used by a particular group, often difficult for outsiders to understand.

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Problem statement

A clear, concise description of an issue or problem that needs to be addressed.

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Thesis statement

A concise summary of the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, or argument.

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Topic sentence

The sentence that expresses the main idea of a paragraph and ties the supporting details back to the thesis.

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Sentence Fragment

A group of words that is punctuated as a sentence but lacks the necessary components (such as a subject or verb) to be grammatically correct.

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Methodology

The systematic, theoretical analysis of the methods applied in a field of study, outlining the approach for gathering and analyzing data.

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Tone

The author's attitude or approach to the subject, conveyed through word choice, style, and structure.

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Circular Definition

A definition that uses the term being defined within the definition itself, leading to an uninformative or tautological explanation.

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Analytical Statement

A statement that is true by definition or by the logical structure of the terms involved.

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Synthetic Statement

A statement whose truth or falsity depends on empirical evidence or observation, not just on the meaning of the terms.

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Conditional Statement

A statement of the form 'If A, then B,' where B depends on the occurrence of A.

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Scope

The range or extent of something, often referring to the coverage or applicability of an argument or concept.

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Paradigm

A model or pattern of something, often used to represent a worldview or approach.

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Idiom

A phrase or expression whose meaning is not directly related to the meanings of its individual words.

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Two wrongs make a right

This fallacy tries to justify a wrong action by claiming that someone else did something wrong. It suggests that two wrongs somehow make a right.

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Whataboutism

A type of fallacy where someone deflects criticism by bringing up a different, possibly unrelated, issue. It's a way to avoid addressing the original problem.

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Bothsidesism

This fallacy assumes that two opposing viewpoints are always equally valid, even if one side is clearly wrong. It often tries to appear neutral but can be misleading.

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Guilt by association

This fallacy judges someone based on their association with a specific person, group, or idea. Their own actions or beliefs are ignored, and they're deemed guilty simply based on their connection.

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Improper appeal to authority

A fallacy that relies on the opinion of a person in authority, even if they aren't an expert in the relevant field. It's like accepting something as true just because someone with a title says so.

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Inconsistency

This fallacy happens when an argument contains contradicting statements or premises. The contradictions make the whole argument less believable.

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Loaded question

This fallacy uses a question that already assumes something as true. It forces the person answering to agree with a premise they might not actually agree with.

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Hasty generalization

This fallacy happens when a conclusion is drawn from a small or unrepresentative sample. It leads to overgeneralized claims that aren't necessarily true.

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Study Notes

Part One: Multiple Choice

  • Requires general knowledge of terms and definitions, and comprehension of arguments.
  • Documents to learn: terms and definitions.

Part Two: Applied Skills and Exercises

  • You may be asked to identify a hidden premise.
  • Determine if premises are dependent or independent.
  • Identify the mode of inference.
  • Apply the "S-test" to determine if an argument is strong or weak.
  • Specify if a premise is positively or negatively relevant.
  • For deductive arguments, identify the type of syllogism (categorical, hypothetical, or disjunctive); for inductive arguments, specify the argument type (generalization, sign, cause, authority, witness).
  • Documents to learn: Chapters 3, 4, and 5 from How to Think Critically, and Chapter 5 of From Thought to Theme.
  • Learn how to evaluate arguments and recognize elements from the text.

Part Three: Short Essay

  • Write a 300-word essay on a given subject.
  • Learn basic essay writing skills from class content.

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Related Documents

CSK Exam Notes PDF

Description

This quiz assesses your understanding of critical thinking concepts from Chapters 3, 4, and 5 of How to Think Critically and Chapter 5 of From Thought to Theme. You'll answer multiple-choice questions, apply skills to identify premises, and write a short essay. Prepare to evaluate arguments effectively and demonstrate your comprehension of essential terms and definitions.

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