1.
He walks by my house every single day because I live on the way to where he works.
Correct Answer
B. Explanation
Explanation
This is an explanation. It is telling us why something happens (namely, the man walking past my house every day).
2.
The entire human race will be wiped out by nuclear missiles in the next twenty years.
Correct Answer
C. Statement of Belief
Explanation
This is a statement of belief, for which no evidence is given.
3.
Mars is the fourth planet from the sun and the second smallest planet in the solar system. Named after the Roman God of War, it is often referred to as the "Red Planet" due to its reddish appearance from the iron oxide on its surface. Mars is a terrestrial planet with a thing atmosphere, having surface features reminiscent both of the impact craters of the Moon and the volcanoes, valleys, deserts, and polar ice caps of Earth.
Correct Answer
D. Expository
Explanation
This is expository. It introduces a topic (Mars) and fills in details about it.
4.
If he goes home, then he will go to bed.
Correct Answer
B. Conditional
Explanation
This is a conditional statement.
5.
Students who go to college are more interesting people than those who do not go to college. They learn information which rounds them out as people. In addition, they have some area of specialty which gives them fascinating insights.
Correct Answer
A. Argument
Explanation
This is an argument. The conclusion is not generally agreed upon by everyone.
6.
Being human is a ________________ condition for being a living creature.
Correct Answer
sufficient
Explanation
Being human is enough to make one a living creature. One could also be other types of living creatures.
7.
Being a living creature is a ______________ condition for being a human being.
Correct Answer
necessary
Explanation
It is necessary that one be a living creature in order to be a human being.
8.
GPC insists that students meet a minimum requirement in their GPA in order to graduate. It is likely that Georgia State University insists upon the same thing.
Correct Answer
B. Inductive analogy
Explanation
Here we are comparing to similar objects and assuming that what is true of one is true of the other.
9.
If I do this quiz, then I will learn the material. If I learn this material, then I will do well on the test. Therefore, if I do this quiz, then I will do well on the test.
Correct Answer
D. Deductive Hypothetical syllogism
Explanation
If/then statements make up a hypothetical syllogism
10.
GPC insists that students meet a minimum requirement in their GPA in order to graduate. It is likely that all colleges insist upon the same thing.
Correct Answer
B. Inductive Generalization
Explanation
Here we are reasoning from one college to all colleges.
11.
All women were once young girls. Abe Lincoln is a woman. Therefore, Able Lincoln was once a young girl.
Correct Answer
B. Valid - Unsound
Explanation
It is valid, but clearly the premises are not true.
12.
All cats are mammals.All mammals are animals.Therefore, all cats are animals.
Correct Answer
A. Valid - Sound
Explanation
This is valid and the premises are all true.
13.
All men are mortal. Socrates is a man. Therefore, Socrates' son is also mortal.
Correct Answer
D. Invalid - Unsound
Explanation
This conclusion does not follow necessary from the premises. Of course, since it is invalid, it is automatically unsound.
14.
7 out or 50 people who were polled will vote republican. Therefore, most people will vote republican in the coming election.
Correct Answer
D. Weak - Uncogent
Explanation
7 out of 50 is not enough to make this argument a strong argument. Of course, this weakness also makes it automatically uncogent.
15.
People have been celebrating thanksgiving for hundreds of years. It is likely that they will continue to do so next year.
Correct Answer
A. Strong - Cogent
Explanation
This is a strong argument with true premises.