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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 improperly equates a percentage with a definite quantity or uses quantity information to make a judgment about the percentage represented by that quantity.
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
False Analogy
Error of Composition
Numbers and Percentage Errors
2. The author assumes as true What is supposed to be proved
Circular Reasoning
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Error of Division
Appeal to Authority
3. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements
Internal Contradiction
False Dilemma
Appeal to Authority
Numbers and Percentage Errors
4. 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
Error of Composition
Lack of Relevant Evidence for the Conclusion
Time-Shift Errors
False Dilemma
5. 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
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Error of Composition
Time-Shift Errors
6. Uses the opinion of an authority in an attempt to persuade the reader
Error of Composition
Appeal to Authority
Time-Shift Errors
Internal Contradiction
7. 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
Errors in the Use of Evidence
False Dilemma
Appeal to Emotion
8. Occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of the whole to a part of the group
Appeal to Popular Opinion
Appeal to Authority
Error of Division
Survey Errors
9. Assumes that only two courses of action are available when there may be others
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
Error of Division
False Dilemma
Appeal to Emotion
10. Takes a small number of instances and treats those instances as if they support a broad - sweeping conclusion (often appears as an incorrect answer)
Exceptional Case/Overgeneralization
Survey Errors
Appeal to Popular Opinion
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
11. Using a term in different ways is inherently confusing and undermines the integrity of the argument
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
Time-Shift Errors
Appeal to Emotion
False Dilemma
12. 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
Error of Composition
Time-Shift Errors
Survey Errors
Straw Man
13. 1. The survey uses a biased sample. 2. The survey questions are improperly constructed. 3. Respondents to the survey give inaccurate responses.
Mistaken Cause and Effect
False Analogy
Survey Errors
Time-Shift Errors
14. 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
Survey Errors
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
Mistaken Cause and Effect
Error of Division
15. This error states that a position is true because the majority believes it to be true
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)
Circular Reasoning
Appeal to Popular Opinion
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
16. Occurs when emotions or emotionally-charged language is used in an attempt to persuade the reader
Errors of Conditional Reasoning
Survey Errors
Exceptional Case/Overgeneralization
Appeal to Emotion
17. The author mistakes a necessary condition for a sufficient condition - or vise-versa
Error of Composition
Errors in the Use of Evidence
Internal Contradiction
Errors of Conditional Reasoning
18. 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
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
False Dilemma
Straw Man
Mistaken Cause and Effect
19. The author uses an analogy too dissimilar to the original situation to be applicable
Error of Division
Mistaken Cause and Effect
Survey Errors
False Analogy
20. This type of flawed argument attacks the person (or source) instead of the argument advanced
Source Argument (Ad Hominem Attack)
Numbers and Percentage Errors
Appeal to Emotion
Uncertain Use of a Term or Concept (Equivocation)