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- December 14, 2024
Question 01
A hiker claims that Big Foot is real. When asked for evidence of Big Foot’s existence, the hiker replies, “prove Big Foot is not real.” Which fallacy is demonstrated here?
a) Ad hominem
b) Burden of proof fallacy
c) Strawman fallacy
d) Red herring fallacy
Correct Answer: b) Burden of proof fallacy
Explanation: The burden of proof fallacy occurs when someone shifts the responsibility of providing evidence to the opponent, claiming something is true unless proven otherwise.
Question 02
A student assumes that all freshmen at their university support the tuition increase because all the freshmen they surveyed do. What is the logical flaw in this reasoning?
a) False dilemma
b) Selection bias
c) Hasty generalization
d) Post hoc fallacy
Correct Answer: c) Hasty generalization
Explanation: Hasty generalization occurs when a conclusion is drawn from a small or unrepresentative sample.
Question 03
A news outlet issues a correction and an apology for incorrect information it published. What does this action suggest about the credibility of the news outlet?
a) The outlet lacks credibility
b) The outlet is unconcerned with accuracy
c) The outlet appears credible
d) The outlet has no editorial standards
Correct Answer: c) The outlet appears credible
Explanation: Issuing corrections and apologies shows that the outlet values accuracy and is concerned about maintaining its credibility.
Question 04
What logical concept is illustrated by the statement, “People should pay their taxes because paying taxes is the right thing to do”?
a) False cause
b) Begging the question
c) Slippery slope
d) Ad hominem
Correct Answer: b) Begging the question
Explanation: Begging the question is a logical fallacy where the premise assumes the truth of the conclusion instead of supporting it.
Question 05
If Bo is kind, then Bo is wealthy. Bo is wealthy. Therefore, Bo is kind. What type of logic error is being made?
a) Affirming the consequent
b) Denying the antecedent
c) Appeal to authority
d) Ad hominem
Correct Answer: a) Affirming the consequent
Explanation: Affirming the consequent is a fallacy where one assumes that if "If A, then B" is true, then "B, therefore A" must also be true.
Question 06
A person argues that since magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, magic is real. Which two propositions are being conjoined in this argument?
a) Magicians perform tricks; therefore, magic is real
b) If magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, then magic is real
c) Magic cannot be real
d) Magicians can pull rabbits out of hats
Correct Answer: b) If magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, then magic is real & d) Magicians can pull rabbits out of hats
Explanation: The two propositions are linked in support of the argument, even though the conclusion is logically flawed.
Question 07
A student consistently submits high-quality work in a class and concludes that the teacher is excellent. What is the unstated assumption in this argument?
a) Students who work hard get good grades
b) A teacher is good if they give good grades
c) The course material is easy
d) All students in the class perform well
Correct Answer: b) A teacher is good if they give good grades
Explanation: The assumption is that the teacher’s quality is directly linked to the grades given to students.
Question 08
Which term describes the following argument: “All bears are wild. Smokey is a bear. Therefore, Smokey is wild”?
a) Inductive
b) Deductive
c) Fallacious
d) Invalid
Correct Answer: b) Deductive
Explanation: Deductive reasoning moves from general premises to a specific conclusion.
Question 09
An individual concludes that because they have seen the sun rise every day for years, the sun will rise again tomorrow. Which term describes this argument?
a) Fallacy
b) Deductive
c) Inductive
d) Invalid
Correct Answer: c) Inductive
Explanation: Inductive reasoning draws probable conclusions based on observations and patterns.
Question 10
A soccer fan believes that a player’s poor performance was caused by buying a jersey with their name on it. What fallacy does this represent?
a) Slippery slope
b) Post hoc, ergo propter hoc
c) Strawman
d) False dilemma
Correct Answer: b) Post hoc, ergo propter hoc
Explanation: This fallacy occurs when someone assumes that one event caused another simply because it followed it.
Question 11
A teacher decides to implement a system where each student is accountable for their part of the group project. What management technique is this similar to?
a) Micromanagement
b) Performance management
c) Participative management
d) Task management
Correct Answer: b) Performance management
Explanation: Performance management involves setting clear expectations and holding individuals accountable to meet goals.
Question 12
Which cognitive bias is demonstrated when a person, after reading about a car accident, believes they are more likely to be involved in one?
a) Confirmation bias
b) Availability bias
c) Selection bias
d) Anchoring bias
Correct Answer: b) Availability bias
Explanation: Availability bias occurs when individuals judge the probability of an event based on how easily it comes to mind.
Question 13
A student chooses to rely on one specific source for a research project, dismissing all others. Which concept does this illustrate?
a) Selection bias
b) Confirmation bias
c) Availability bias
d) Appeal to ignorance
Correct Answer: b) Confirmation bias
Explanation: Confirmation bias occurs when someone favors information that supports their pre-existing beliefs.
Question 14
A person argues that all fast food restaurants are unhealthy because they visited two that served greasy food. Which fallacy best describes this reasoning?
a) False dilemma
b) Ad hominem
c) Hasty generalization
d) Red herring
Correct Answer: c) Hasty generalization
Explanation: Hasty generalization occurs when a broad conclusion is made based on a small or unrepresentative sample.
Question 15
A person refuses to accept evidence of extraterrestrial life because they do not believe in it. Which cognitive bias is being demonstrated?
a) Anchoring bias
b) Confirmation bias
c) Availability bias
d) Selection bias
Correct Answer: b) Confirmation bias
Explanation: Confirmation bias involves dismissing evidence that contradicts pre-existing beliefs.
Question 16
A manager decides to implement a new training program to improve team performance. What management strategy is this most similar to?
a) Participative management
b) Performance management
c) Task management
d) Micromanagement
Correct Answer: b) Performance management
Explanation: Performance management focuses on improving performance through development and evaluation.
Question 17
When a student reads an internet article with a headline that says, “This is NOT a hoax!” what reasonable conclusion can they make about the content?
a) The content is credible
b) The content is sensationalized
c) The content is objective
d) The content is scholarly
Correct Answer: b) The content is sensationalized
Explanation: Such a headline is likely attempting to draw attention by appealing to emotion, suggesting sensationalism.
Question 18
Why do critical thinkers monitor their own biases?
a) To minimize bias and make more rational decisions
b) To always prove others wrong
c) To avoid making any mistakes in reasoning
d) To ensure their arguments are popular
Correct Answer: a) To minimize bias and make more rational decisions
Explanation: Monitoring biases helps to make more objective, well-reasoned decisions.
Question 19
If a person believes that magicians can pull rabbits out of hats, so magic is real, what kind of argument structure is being used?
a) Independent support
b) Conjoint support
c) Fallacious support
d) Ad hominem support
Correct Answer: b) Conjoint support
Explanation: Conjoint support is when two premises work together to support the conclusion, even if the conclusion is flawed.
Question 20
A company decides to restructure to address declining employee morale. Which change management model would be most appropriate?
a) Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model
b) Lewin’s Change Management Model
c) ADKAR Model
d) McKinsey 7-S Model
Correct Answer: a) Kotter’s 8-Step Change Model
Explanation: Kotter’s model is suitable for guiding organizational changes to improve culture and employee satisfaction.