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CH02 Test Bank

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

Bamboo can grow up to four feet a day, but only after it is well established. This can take from three to five years, depending on the type of bamboo.

No argument.

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

The Burnhams have invited the performers home for a reception following the recital. But it would be wise to let them know if you plan to attend, because space is limited.

Argument; conclusion: “it would be wise to let them know if you plan to attend.”

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

Feldspar works at a restaurant at night and teaches during the day. I’d have to bet he’s tired most of the time, and that’s a good reason for thinking he won’t do well in school this term.

Two arguments present; conclusions: “he’s tired most of the time” and “he won’t do well in school this term”; “he won’t do well . . .” is the conclusion of the principal argument.

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

The market for Jackson Pollock paintings has collapsed virtually overnight. Reason: A lot of them were bought during the 1980s and 1990s. Investors figure that the 1980s prices were too high.

No argument.

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

It is a very nice clock, but as you can see, it doesn’t really go very well on that wall. For one thing, it’s too large for the space. For another, it’s red, and the wall is green. The best thing you could do with it, I’m afraid, is take it back. Walmart is good about giving refunds.

Two arguments present; conclusions: “it doesn’t really go very well on that wall” and “the best thing you could do with it, I’m afraid, is take it back”; “the best thing you could do . . .” is the conclusion of the principal argument.

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

“Hey, what is that stuff you’re cooking anyway? It smells like fish.”

“Fish! What do you mean ‘fish?’ That’s a pot roast I’m cooking.”

“Oh . . . say, you don’t mind if I open a window, do you? No, it’s not the fish—uh, roast; it just seems sorta warm in here.”

No argument; in the last passage, the speaker is explaining—actually, pretending to explain—why he or she wants to open a window, not giving an argument that a window should be opened.

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

Imagine yourself naked, without weapons, and running after a deer. If you were to catch this deer, how would you eat it? Humans are not

equipped with canine teeth in order to eat meat without tools. A carnivore’s teeth are long and sharp, and its jaws move up and down. Humans, by contrast, use their molars to crush and grind their food. Have you ever noticed that so many Americans are overweight and unhealthy? That’s because they eat meat.

—From a student paper

Argument; the conclusion is that meat isn’t an appropriate or healthy diet for humans.

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

Is Bill Clinton’s behavior prior to his becoming President relevant to how he should be judged in office? Yes: 22%; No: 71%. —From a telephone poll of 800 adult Americans taken for Time/CNN by Yankelovich Partners, Inc.

No argument.

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

“Hey, see that bald dude over there? You know how old that guy is? He’s my teacher.” “I dunno. Fifty, maybe.”

“He’s not fifty. He’s almost seventy.” “Must eat a lot of Grow Pup.”

“I guess! He’s a good teacher, too. He really communicates. Makes you remember stuff. I forget now what the course was. . . .”

Argument; the conclusion is that he’s a good teacher.

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

“If you don’t mow your lawn at least once a week, what happens is that when you do mow it, it turns brown later.”

An argument in most contexts for the unstated conclusion that you ought to mow your lawn at least once a week.

Identify the following passage as containing an argument, two arguments, or no argument; if it contains an argument, identify the conclusion(s); and, if it contains two arguments, indicate which argument is the principal argument.

According to the recent opinion poll, the President is not likely to get a second term in office.

No argument.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

Sydney is ten; therefore, she likes horses.

“Ten-year-olds” like horses.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

Rajbir is a professional dancer, so we can assume that Rajbir practices several hours a day.

Most professional dancers practice several hours a day.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

Her home is in Santa Cruz, so I doubt it has depreciated in the last 5 years.

Home prices in Santa Cruz have not depreciated in the last 5 years.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

Monica may have trouble sleeping tonight, since she drank tea at 10 pm.

Drinking caffeinated tea late in the night tends to keep people awake.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

I’d bet the TV doesn’t work right. Josh was messing with it.

When people mess with TVs, the TVs usually don’t work right.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

Deborah loves American Idol. It’s a good bet she watches Dancing with the Stars, too.

People who like American Idol generally watch shows like Dancing with the Stars, too.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

Mr. Zing has a background in psychology. He is bound to make a good chairman.

People versed in psychology tend to make good administrators.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

If your only source of information is TV Guide, you are not likely to be very well informed, so Michael is not likely to be well informed.

Those whose information is limited to TV Guide are not usually well informed.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

All the moisture they get in Oregon keeps the grass green; so cows probably like Oregon.

Cows like places with green grass.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

There is a south wind. We’ll be getting rain.

South winds usually bring rain.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

Andrew eats junk food everyday. He is bound to have health problems soon.

Eating junk food tends to result in health problems.

Supply a general principle that, assuming it is true, makes the following into a relatively strong inductive argument:

Jordan keeps his word. He is a man of good character.

People of good character keep their words.

Arguments whose premises are intended to provide absolutely conclusive reasons for accepting the conclusion are _________.

deductive

Arguments whose premises are intended to provide some support but less than absolutely conclusive support for the conclusion are _________. inductive

An argument is _________ if it isn’t possible for the premise (or premises) to be true and the conclusion false.

valid

When the premises of a valid argument are true, the argument is said to be _________.

sound

A valid argument cannot have any false premises.

FALSE