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SAT Essay Logical Fallacies

Subjects : sat, english, writing-skills
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 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. How similar or how different are the cases being compared? How many point of comparison is the arguer using?






2. Trying to prove one idea with another idea that is too similar to the first idea






3. Is there a reasonable connection between the cause and the effect? Is that connection explained? Are there other possible causes that have not been considered?






4. Information that can be objectively proven as true






5. Information that is an interpretation of numerical data






6. The use by a speaker of coded language that appears to mean one thing to the general population but has a different (and negative) meaning for a targeted subgroup of the audience.






7. Logical reasoning that establishes specific facts or contentions leading to a general conclusion






8. Reasoning by Proof: A fallacy in which a speaker or writer seeks to persuade not by giving evidence but by appealing to the respect people have for a person or institution.






9. 'After this therefore because of this' implying that because on event follows another - the first caused the second






10. Citing an expert on one subject as expert on another






11. A fallacy that assumes that taking a first step will lead to subsequent steps that cannot be prevented






12. Information the writer asserts as being the result of an event






13. Information gained from personal experience representing a general pattern






14. Introducing an irrelevant point to divert readers' attention from the main issue being discussed






15. Two comparable issues or ideas are judged by different criteria






16. Writer encourages readers to accept a conclusion without any support






17. Everybody knows fallacy. Asserts that some idea is common knowledge - so it must be true.






18. Generalization: an argument that ignores all unfavorable evidence






19. Condemning an argument because of where it began - how it began - or who began it






20. 'To the authority' appeal based on the authority of a source






21. Reasoning by Proof: the evidence offered does not really support the claim. Non Sequitur (It does not follow)






22. Fallacy that asserts that given two positions - there exists a compromise between them which must be correct.






23. Statements that are intentionally vague so that the audience may supply its own interpretations






24. Generalization: drawing conclusions based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence






25. Prejudging an individual based on ideas one has about the group the individual belongs to






26. Cause and Effect: Assuming that an incident that precedes another is the cause of the second incident






27. Concealing the author's true intent - belief - or attitude towards an issue






28. Ambiguity or multiplicity of interpretations of a repeated word or phrase






29. Reasoning by Debate: A fallacy that forces listeners to choose between two alternatives when more than two alternatives exist






30. How large is the sample size? How representative is the sample?






31. Reasoning by Debate: When a writer argues against a claim that nobody actually holds or is universally considered weak. Setting up a straw man diverts attention from the real issues.






32. Obscuring or denying the complexity of an issue






33. Appeal based on the credibility of the author






34. Claiming that one step in the wrong direction will lead to another - potentially disastrous consequence






35. 'Against the man' attacking the person or group to which you are opposed rather than addressing the issue






36. Reasoning by Debate: In an argument - this is an attack on the person rather than on the opponent's ideas. It comes from the Latin meaning 'against the man.'






37. Drawing conclusions based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence; using all instances when only some apply






38. Have all reasonable alternatives been considered/eliminated? Does this author attack the other views in a fair way?






39. Analogy or comparison that is not logically consistent






40. Appeal to reason






41. Generalization: Assumes that an individual must have a characteristic because the group to which he or she belongs supposedly has that characteristic






42. False transitive property - you assume that just because two things share a characteristic - all of their characteristics are shared: - 'penguins are black and white - old tv shows are black and white - therefore penguins are old tv shows'






43. Does the evidence prove the point being argued? Is this authority an expert on this particular topic?






44. Any diversion intended to distract attention from the main issue






45. Cause and Effect: 'What if' fallacy. Argues that everything would be different if one variable was different. Example: 'If the Nazis had won WWII - we'd all be speaking German!'






46. Appeal to the reader's emotions






47. Common knowledge or beliefs readers accept as true






48. Reasoning by Proof: an argument that because someone worked hard at something - their conclusions must be right






49. When a writer uses the same term in two different senses in an argument. i.e. People choose what laws they obey. The Law of Gravity is a law. I choose to disobey the law of gravity.






50. Generalization: Assumes that members of a group must have a characteristic because one or more of its members has that characteristic.