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Test your basic knowledge |
Common Logical Flaws
Start Test
Study First
Subject
:
logic-and-reasoning
Instructions:
Answer 20 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can
study here
.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.
This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The author assumes as true What is supposed to be proved
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Circular Reasoning
Mistaken Cause and Effect
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
2. This type of flawed argument attacks the person (or source) instead of the argument advanced
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
Error of Division
False Dilemma
Internal Contradiction
3. Using a term in different ways is inherently confusing and undermines the integrity of the argument
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Error of Composition
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
Mistaken Cause and Effect
4. The author uses an analogy too dissimilar to the original situation to be applicable
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
False Analogy
Appeal to Authority
5. This error states that a position is true because the majority believes it to be true
Time-Shift Errors
Error of Division
Appeal to Popular Opinion
Appeal to Emotion
6. Takes a small number of instances and treats those instances as if they support a broad - sweeping conclusion (often appears as an incorrect answer)
Errors of Conditional Reasoning
Exceptional Case/Overgeneralization
Straw Man
Error of Division
7. The author attempts to attack an opponent's position by ignoring the actual statements made by the opposing speaker and instead distorts the argument - making it weaker in the process
Lack of Relevant Evidence for the Conclusion
Mistaken Cause and Effect
Straw Man
False Analogy
8. Assumes that only two courses of action are available when there may be others
False Dilemma
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Exceptional Case/Overgeneralization
Time-Shift Errors
9. The author misuses information to such a degree that they fail to provide any information to support their conclusion or present information irrelevant to the conclusion
Internal Contradiction
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
Error of Composition
Lack of Relevant Evidence for the Conclusion
10. 1. The survey uses a biased sample. 2. The survey questions are improperly constructed. 3. Respondents to the survey give inaccurate responses.
Survey Errors
False Dilemma
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Internal Contradiction
11. Assumes that conditions will remain constant over time - and that what was the case in the past will be case in the future.
Error of Division
Mistaken Cause and Effect
Straw Man
Time-Shift Errors
12. Occurs when emotions or emotionally-charged language is used in an attempt to persuade the reader
Exceptional Case/Overgeneralization
Numbers and Percentage Errors
False Analogy
Appeal to Emotion
13. Uses the opinion of an authority in an attempt to persuade the reader
Lack of Relevant Evidence for the Conclusion
Error of Composition
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
Appeal to Authority
14. Occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of the whole to a part of the group
Exceptional Case/Overgeneralization
Error of Division
Survey Errors
Time-Shift Errors
15. 1. Lack of evidence for a position is take to prove that position is false. 2. Lack of evidence against a position is taken to prove that position is true.
Appeal to Authority
Time-Shift Errors
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
16. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements
Internal Contradiction
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
Numbers and Percentage Errors
Straw Man
17. The author improperly equates a percentage with a definite quantity or uses quantity information to make a judgment about the percentage represented by that quantity.
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
Numbers and Percentage Errors
Appeal to Popular Opinion
Errors of Conditional Reasoning
18. 1. Assuming a causal relationship on the basis of the sequence of events 2. Assuming a causal relationship when only a correlation exists 3. Failure to consider an alternative cause for the effect 4. Failure to consider that the events may be reverse
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
Mistaken Cause and Effect
Error of Composition
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
19. Occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of part of the group to the group as a whole or to each member of the group
Survey Errors
Time-Shift Errors
False Dilemma
Error of Composition
20. The author mistakes a necessary condition for a sufficient condition - or vise-versa
Error of Division
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Errors of Conditional Reasoning
Survey Errors