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