Cambridge International AS Level · Thinking Skills (9694)
5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Analyse reasoning.
An argument states: "If the city council approves the new park, the local economy will thrive because more tourists will visit. A thriving economy is essential for the city's future. Therefore, the city council must approve the new park."
Which of the following is an unstated assumption required by this argument?
Public speaking is just like learning to ride a bike. At first, you are shaky and afraid of falling, but with practice, you find your balance and it becomes second nature. Therefore, anyone who can ride a bike can eventually become a master orator.
Which of the following is the best evaluation of the analogy used in this argument?
Many people argue that violent video games lead to increased aggression in teenagers. However, a study of 2,000 teenagers found that while there was a correlation between playing such games and aggressive behavior, the aggressive behavior often preceded the interest in the games. This suggests that video games do not cause aggression, but rather that aggressive individuals are drawn to violent games.
Which of the following best describes the function of the first sentence?
Every time the Golden State Hawks have won their opening game of the season, they have gone on to reach the playoffs. They won their opening game last night against the Silver City Stars. Therefore, the Hawks are guaranteed to be in the playoffs this year.
Which of the following is the unstated assumption that would make this argument logically sound?
The local government should implement a mandatory recycling program for all businesses in the city. Last year, the city's landfill reached 90% capacity, and current projections suggest it will be full within eighteen months. By requiring businesses to recycle, we can extend the life of the landfill and delay the need for a costly new waste management site.
Which of the following is an unstated assumption required by this argument?
Read the following statement: 'Modern city dwellers should transition to electric bicycles because they reduce commute times, and anything that saves time is beneficial for mental health.'
Identify the main conclusion of this argument.
Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.
Consider the following argument:
"The university must upgrade its laboratory equipment immediately. High-quality research requires tools that can measure variations as small as \(0.001\) grams. Currently, our oldest scales are only accurate to within \(0.1\) grams. Without these upgrades, our science department will lose its prestigious ranking, leading to a decline in student enrollment next year."
(a) Identify the intermediate conclusion.
(b) Identify an unstated assumption regarding the link between the science department's ranking and student enrollment.
Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.
The new safety regulations for the construction industry are unnecessary and harmful. They are like forcing a professional marathon runner to wear heavy boots and a suit of armor just in case they trip during a race. The added weight would only cause more fatigue and lead to more accidents, rather than preventing them.
Evaluate the strength of the analogy used in the reasoning above.
Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.
A local council is debating whether to install a new high-tech waste incinerator in the city. Read the following argument and answer the questions:
'The city's landfill sites will be completely full within five years. If we don't build the incinerator, we will have nowhere to put our rubbish, leading to waste piling up in the streets. Therefore, we must approve the construction of the incinerator immediately. Some residents claim that the incinerator will release toxic fumes. However, modern filtration systems are extremely efficient, and the environmental impact would be far worse if we allowed waste to rot in the streets.'
(a) Identify the main conclusion of the argument.
(b) Identify the counter-assertion presented in the passage.
(c) Identify the intermediate conclusion within the reasoning.
Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.
Read the following argument regarding urban development:
'The city's historic district is a drain on municipal resources. Maintaining these crumbling facades costs millions in taxpayer money that could be better spent on modern infrastructure. If we continue to prioritize the past over the future, our city will eventually become a ghost town as businesses flee to more modern environments. Some historians argue that these buildings provide cultural value, but culture does not pay the bills. Therefore, we should demolish the historic district and replace it with a new tech hub to ensure our city's survival.'
(a) Identify the main conclusion of the argument.
(b) Identify one intermediate conclusion.
(c) Identify the counter-assertion presented in the passage.
(d) State one unstated assumption that links the demolition of the district to the city's economic 'survival'.
Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.
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