Week 2 Knowledge Check Study Guide

Concepts

Mastery

Components of an
Argument - Claims
Types of Argument

Argument

Questions

100%

100%

100%

11

100%

Components of an

Score: 11 / 11

Differences Between
Inductive and Deductive

10

Arguments
Concept: Components of an Argument - Claims
Mastery

100%

Questions

1.
When evaluating an argument with unstated premises, which of the following is the most
appropriate tactic?

A.

Find a claim that would make the argument invalid or

weak and evaluate the argument as if this claim had been
included.

B.

Dont add anything. If the arguer had wanted a claim to

be included, he or she would have included it. Evaluate
the argument as it stands.

C.

Find a claim that would make the argument valid or

strong and evaluate the argument as if this claim had
been included.

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: C.
When you approach an argument without an obvious claim, the best approach is to
give the best read. It is important to find the best claim to make the argument work.

2.
All of the following are reasons that you should include claims that contradict the
conclusion when diagramming an argument EXCEPT:

A.

It shows that you have considered other sides of the issue

and found them wanting.

B.

To confuse your audience

C.

To bring up an objection, and then give reasons for

rejecting it, is more powerful argumentation than to
ignore possible objections to your argument.

D.

Including counterclaims in your argument helps make

you look more credible.

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
When diagramming an argument, all claims must be included. Without claims, the
argument lacks a clear foundation and leads to confusion.

Concept: Types of Argument

Mastery

100%

Questions

3.
In most general terms, what do we call an argument if it gives grounds for accepting the
conclusion?

A.

Weak

B.

Good

C.

Invalid

D.

Strong

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
A good deductive argument is called "valid" and a good inductive argument is called
"relatively strong."
4.
What word is used to classify an argument if it is valid and all of its premises are true?

A.

Weak

B.

Sound

C.

Invalid

D.

Strong

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
Soundness is what to strive for in a deductive argument.
6.
An argument with true premises that provides absolute proof of the truth of the conclusion
would be called what?

A.

A weak argument

B.

A good argument

C.

An invalid argument

D.

A strong argument

E.

A valid argument

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: E.
Validity has to do with the structure, or "shape," of the argument. Truth has to do with
what the argument is about. Even if every premise in the content of the argument
were true, they wouldn't support the conclusion if they weren't in the right structure.
For example, "All cats are mammals. All cats meow. Therefore, all mammals meow."
is not a valid construction, so even though the premises are true, they do not support
the conclusion. An argument has to be both valid and have all true premises to
provide absolute proof of the conclusion. It must be "sound."

Concept: Components of an Argument

Mastery

100%

Questions

11

5.
Which of the following words is a good example of a premise indicator?

A.

Since

B.

Therefore

C.

For

D.

Because

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: A.
"Since" points to the claim or claims given as reasons for accepting the conclusion.
11.
Which of the following words is a good example of a conclusion indicator?

A.

Since

B.

Therefore

C.

For

D.

Because

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
"Therefore" points to the claim the argument was constructed to prove.

Concept: Differences Between Inductive and Deductive Arguments

Mastery

100%

Questions

10

7.
In most general terms, what word do we use for a deductive argument whose premises,
while true, do not necessarily prove its conclusion?

A.

Weak

B.

Good

C.

Invalid

D.

Strong

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: C.
There are only two places to check an argument: the form and the content. If the
content has all true premises, then the form, or shape, of the argument must not be a
valid one. If the form is valid, then at least one of the premises must be false for it to
be possible to yield a false conclusion.
8.
Which of the following types of arguments are evaluated using the terms valid and invalid
?

A.

Inductive

B.

Deductive

C.

Rhetorical

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
Validity pertains to the structure, or "shape," of the argument.
9.
Which of the following types of arguments are not intended to be valid, and are evaluated
using the terms relatively strong and relatively weak?

A.

Deductive

B.

Inductive

C.

Rhetorical

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
Some inductive arguments are stronger than others. The stronger it is, the more
probable the conclusion is.
10.
Which of the following types of arguments are evaluated using the terms sound and

unsound?

A.

Inductive

B.

Deductive

C.

Rhetorical

Correct:
The Correct Answer is: B.
Soundness pertains to the content of the valid argument, what it is about.