Week 1 Knowledge CheckResults

Concepts Arguments Mastery 100% Questions

Score:

8/10

Issues

67%

Claims

67%

10

Topics

100%

Concept: Arguments
Concepts Arguments Mastery 100% Questions

1.What would you call a set of claims intended to support or prove a conclusion? A. B. C. Argument Issue Opinion

D. R e a s o n

Correct! An argument consists of two partsone part (the premise or premises) is intended to provide a reason for accepting the other part (the conclusion).

7.An argument is made up of parts. Which of the following is most complete and accurate? A. B. C. An argument has a premise. An argument has a conclusion. An argument always has two premises and a conclusion.

D. An argument has at least one premise and one conclusion.

Correct! By definition, an argument is a two-part structure of claims. One part (the premise, or premises) is given as a reason (or reasons) for thinking that the other part (the conclusion) is true

8.Read each of the following statements. In which statement does the speaker offer an argument in support of the issue? A. "This years Super Bowl begins around 6:00 p.m. today, but the Fox pregame programming will start at 1:00. Why? Because we can sell it, said Ed Goren, co-executive producer of Fox Sports. The Super Bowl is about more. It is about excess." (Reported in The New York Times, January 26, 1997.) "They should never have referred to the savings and loan deregulation as getting the government out of business decisions. All those deposits were insured by the government, which made public policy the biggest issue in the S&Ls decisions." "Plenty of opportunities still exist for making money. You cant throw a rock without hitting an opportunity. All you have to do is keep an open mind."

B.

C.

D. "Cars are not as safe as they used to be. Theyre more fuelefficient, more environmentally sound, and better at surviving a 5 MPH collision. But none of that adds up to safety."

Correct! By definition, an argument is a two-part structure of claims, one part of which (the premise, or premises) is given as a reason (or reasons) for thinking the other part (the conclusion) is true.

Concept: Issues
Concepts Issues Mastery 67% Questions

2.What is the term for a point being debated; or, in other words, a question that is raised when assessing the truth or falsity of a statement? A. B. C. Argument Issue Opinion

D. R e a s o n

Correct! An issue is the question raised. It is the basis for an argument.

5.Generally speaking, which of these statements best represents the relationship between issues and topics of conversation? A. B. C. A topic of conversation often has several issues at stake. An issue often has several topics of conversation at stake. A topic never contains issues.

D. An issue is just a topic.

Incorrect The topic up for discussionfor example the beauty of a sunset may involve several issues, such as, "Is aesthetic appreciation worth developing?" or "Is it good to spend time observing nature?".

9.In which of the following are the two speakers addressing the same issue? A. Big: Dont worry about coming into the pool. Its only eight feet. Little: That doesnt make me feel any safer. You could drown in your bathtub.

B.

First critic: I cant believe Jay opened his reading with that terrible poem. What a disaster! Second critic: Oh, it wasnt so bad. He had his Italian suit on. Owner: How could you slam the door like that? Its not your car. Rider: I know.

C.

D. Pro: These new term limits will give us better-elected officials. Well finally have a choice other than the candidates the party machine trots out for us. Con: I dont see how it can be democratic for the people who passed these term limits to restrict other voters choices.

Correct! Both sides address the issue, although they have different standards of water safety. Both give arguments, even though brief, for their positions.

Concept: Claims
Concepts Claims Mastery 67% Questions

10

3.Which of the following most accurately completes this sentence? "A claim is a statement that is. . ." A. B. C. true false either true or false, but not both

D. true and false, depending on the context

Correct! A claim is merely a statement expressing a belief. If that statement is true, it can be used as a reason to support a conclusion within an argument; if false, it cannot (the conclusion is a claim, as well).

4.Which of the following sentences is NOT a claim? A. B. C. Life exists on planets other than Earth. Dare to stay off drugs! Somethings force equals its mass multiplied by its acceleration.

D. Joe owns a pet dog.

Incorrect This sentence is not truth evaluable because it is a suggestion or recommendation, not a declarative statement.

10.Read each of the following statements. Which of the statements would be considered a claim? A. B. C. "What a day!" "I could eat a horse." "Watch out for the loose wire."

D. "Who told you I left town?"

Correct! For any human speaker and any single meal, it is of course a false claim. It has the purpose of expressing, in colorful language, the quite possibly true claim, "I have an exceedingly great appetite"; it also has the purpose of amusing.

Concept: Topics
Concepts Topics Mastery 100% Questions

6.Which of the following terms is the best identification for "abortion"? A. B. C. It is a topic of conversation. It is a claim. It is an issue.

D. It is an argument.

Correct! To make this topic into a claim requires making some assertion about abortion. To make it into an issue requires asking whether or not some claim about it is true or false.