Test your basic knowledge |

Public Debating

Subject : soft-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. Is a variation of the tu quoque; it is when you justify a wrong by saying that most other people do it too.






2. Is another variation of the tu quoque; it is when you justify a wrong by saying that this is the way things have always been done






3. An explicit metaphor that overtly compares two things - often using the words 'like' or 'as'






4. Demonstrating respect and care for the audience






5. Is the source qualified to say what is being said? Is she or he in a position to know this information? Does the testimony represent what the authority really meant to say? Is the source relatively unbiased and recent?






6. Part of blame stock issue - the composition of the policy is flawed






7. 'What is true in this case is true in general' or 'What is true in general is true in this case' Is a warrant for what kind of argument?






8. Term with higher (positive) value






9. _______ in ancient Greece spurred the need for the use of rhetoric in everyday life.






10. Opposite of anadiplosis






11. _____ said that concerning all things - there are two contradictory arguments that exist in opposition to one another.






12. What is 'at issue' in a controversy; the place where two sides of an argument come into conflict; the clash between arguments.






13. Incorrectly assuming that what is true of the parts is true of the whole






14. Deliberate exaggeration for effect; it is often accomplished via comparisons - similes - and metaphors.






15. Is the metaphor appropriate? The key to ____ is matching strategy to situation.






16. Structure repeated






17. Can the sign be found without the thing for which it stands? Is an alternative explanation of the maning of the sign more credible? Are there countering signs that indicate that his one sign is false?






18. An argument that follows proper logical form






19. Fallacious argument from specific to general without sufficient evidence - Draws a conclusion about all the members of a group based on the knowledge of some members






20. Any logical system that abstracts the form of statements away from their content in order to establish abstract criteria of consistency and validity






21. Asks - 'is it?' Involves a question of fact (past - present - future)






22. Accepting an argument that you should believe something is true just because the majority believes it is true.






23. Puritan morality - change and progress - equality of opportunity - rejection of authority - achievement and success






24. Special Topoi and Loci of the Preferable - what kind of args?






25. An irrelevant attack on an opponent rather than on the opponent's evidence or arguments; this is literally translated as an argument 'to the person'






26. Ill - Blame - Cure - Cost






27. If A then B B Therefore - A






28. Are the two things really alike - or are there significant differences that might make them unalike in this respect? Are the negative consequences to comparing these two things? Is the analogy clear or confusing?






29. Ideas repeated






30. Arguing that one thing caused another without sufficient evidence of a causal relationship.






31. Asks - 'who has the authority?' Involves a question of proper procedure.






32. Assuming as a premise some form of the very point that is at issue - the very conclusion we intend to prove. Also called circular reasoning.






33. Does the argument effectively appeal to audience values and priorities? Does the argument accurately capture the values at play in this situation?






34. Repetition of the ending of one clause or sentence at the beginning of another.






35. Values what is concrete rather than what is merely possible






36. Inference that allows you to move from grounds to claim (often implied in the argument)






37. All A are B -no B are C - therefore - no A are C






38. These seats or commonplaces of argument suggest inferences that arguers might make that are based on the habits of thought and value hierarchies that everyone shares






39. Uses emotional appeal instead of evidence to argue






40. Show that an opponent's argument actually supports your side of the debate (often accompanied by a flip in values)






41. Accepting the word of an alleged authority when we should not because the person does not have expertise on this particular issue or s/he cannot be trusted to give an unbiased opinion.






42. Part of the blame stock issue - the acceptance or obedience to the policy or law makes it ineffective






43. Opposite of Anaphora






44. A legitimate generalization is applied to a particular case in an absolute manner






45. Does the moral really follow from the story? Is the narrative plausible and coherent? Are the characterizations consistent?






46. Using a term in an argument in one sense in one place and another sense in another place






47. What order does conjectural stasis usually fall in when arguing?






48. A metaphor with a vehicle that draws upon experience that is specific to a particular culture






49. Providing a response to each reason that an opponent gives






50. Repetition of the same idea - changing either its words - its delivery - or the general treatment it is given.