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Common Logical Flaws

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. Takes a small number of instances and treats those instances as if they support a broad - sweeping conclusion (often appears as an incorrect answer)






2. Uses the opinion of an authority in an attempt to persuade the reader






3. 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






4. Assumes that only two courses of action are available when there may be others






5. This error states that a position is true because the majority believes it to be true






6. 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






7. Occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of the whole to a part of the group






8. Occurs when emotions or emotionally-charged language is used in an attempt to persuade the reader






9. Assumes that conditions will remain constant over time - and that what was the case in the past will be case in the future.






10. 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.






11. The author mistakes a necessary condition for a sufficient condition - or vise-versa






12. 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






13. The author uses an analogy too dissimilar to the original situation to be applicable






14. 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






15. 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.






16. This type of flawed argument attacks the person (or source) instead of the argument advanced






17. 1. The survey uses a biased sample. 2. The survey questions are improperly constructed. 3. Respondents to the survey give inaccurate responses.






18. The author assumes as true What is supposed to be proved






19. Using a term in different ways is inherently confusing and undermines the integrity of the argument






20. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements