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