Exam 1

T/F: The following sentence is a statement: It is always best to obey the law.

True

TF A statement must be either true or false.

True

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument. More damage was done last year from hurricanes than earthquakes. There was $100 million damage last year from hurricanes. There was $70 million damage last year from earthquakes. A.) Argument B.) Not an argument

A

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument. Most scientists agree that global warming is caused by human activity. A.) Not an argument B.) Argument

A

In the following argument, the claim "we have no moral right to change a country's way of governing itself" plays what role? We should stop interfering in other countries' affairs. This follows from the fact that we have no moral right to change a country's way of governing itself. Also, interfering often gets us locked into combat; not to mention that the potential for loss of lives on both sides is high. In addition, the cost of waging wars is astronomical. Any engagement means weakening our already shaky economy. Add the fact that interfering makes us have more enemies around the world who feel threatened by us. A.) It is a premise B.) It is the conclusion C.) It is neither a premise nor the conclusion

A

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument or an explanation. She quit her job today because she inherited $1 million from a rich relative. A.) Argument B.) Explanation

B

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument. He was born in 1988. According to the Chinese zodiac, that happens to be a Dragon year. Thus, he is sure to have good fortune all his life. A.) Not an argument B.) Argument

B

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument. I like candy. I love chocolate. I hate peanuts. Also, I don't care for circus acts or water sports. It's OK if you like that stuff. A.) Argument B.) Not an argument

B

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument. Computers will soon be in every home because the cost of buying one goes down dramatically every year. A.) Not an argument B.) Argument

B

Which claim in the following argument is the conclusion? If someone says something that offends me, I cannot and should not try to stop them from speaking. After all, in America, speech--even offensive speech--is protected. A.) In America, speech--even offensive speech--is protected. B.) If someone says something that offends me, I cannot and should not try to stop them from speaking. C.) I cannot and should not try to stop them from speaking.

B

T/F: The following passage contains an argument: We live in an incredibly over-reactionary society where the mindless forces of victim demagoguery have unfortunately joined with the child-worship industry. It is obviously tragic that a few twisted kids perpetuated such carnage there in Columbine.

False

TF An argument is any group of statements.

False

In the following argument, the claim "every object in Las Vegas is smaller than in other cities" plays what role? Paris's Eiffel Tower is three times as tall as the one in Las Vegas. The Luxor Pyramid in Las Vegas is half the size of the original in Egypt. The Statue of Liberty in New York is four times the one in Las Vegas. Thus, every object in Las Vegas is smaller than in other cities. A.) It is neither a premise nor the conclusion. B.) It is the conclusion. C.) It is a premise.

B

Which of the following are premise indicators? A.) therefore, thus B.) since, because C.) perhaps, possibly

B

Which of the following is NOT a statement? A.) The text reads "for private eyes only." B.) Reading is often challenging. C.) Read between the lines.

C