Cambridge International AS Level · Thinking Skills (9694)
5 multiple-choice questions marked as you go, and 5 written questions with worked solutions. All on Evaluate reasoning.
A researcher claims: "We must either invest immediately in the new city-wide recycling program or accept that our local environment will be permanently destroyed within ten years."
Which of the following identifies the specific flaw in the researcher's reasoning?
A local council is considering banning cars from the city centre. A spokesperson for a group of business owners stated: "If we ban cars, shoppers will simply stay away because they find public transport inconvenient. If shoppers stay away, our local businesses will fail. Therefore, we must allow cars in the city centre to prevent the total economic collapse of our region."
Which of the following is the best evaluation of the flaw in the spokesperson's reasoning?
A debate is occurring regarding the use of AI in art. One speaker argues: "Using AI to generate images is just like using a camera. Both are tools that require human input to produce a final product. Since we consider photography a valid form of art, we must also accept AI-generated images as valid art."
Which of the following, if true, most weakens the analogy used in the argument?
Consider the following argument: "We should not listen to the environmentalist's suggestions regarding the new park. Only last year, they were seen driving a high-emission sports car, which proves their ideas are not worth considering."
Which of the following identifies the flaw in the reasoning above?
Read the following statement:
"The new 'Smart-Learn' software is clearly effective. Last year, 50 students at Oakwood Academy used it and their average test scores rose by 10%. This proves that 'Smart-Learn' will improve grades for any student who uses it."
Which of the following is the most significant weakness in the support provided for the conclusion?
Read the following short argument:
"Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy heart. Since Sarah has been jogging for thirty minutes every day for the past five years, she will never suffer from a heart attack."
Explain why this reasoning is a confusion of necessary and sufficient conditions.
Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.
An author argues: 'If we allow the park to be closed for one music festival, the grass will be destroyed. Once the grass is gone, the soil will erode, leading to a complete collapse of the local ecosystem. Therefore, we must never allow any events in the park.'
Explain how the slippery slope reasoning is used here and identify the intermediate conclusion.
Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.
Read the following argument:
'The new office regulations state that employees must be at their desks by 9:00 AM. Since John is an employee and it is currently 9:15 AM, he is definitely breaking the rules.'
Identify the unstated assumption that would make this a valid deduction.
Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.
Evaluate the flaws and weaknesses in the following reasoning:
'The health of the nation is declining because people are spending too much time on digital devices. A study showed that as the sales of smartphones increased over the last decade, the number of people reporting back pain also increased. This proves that smartphones are the direct cause of spinal issues. Furthermore, we must either ban smartphones for those under 18 or accept that the next generation will be permanently disabled. Since no one wants children to be disabled, the ban is the only logical path. Using a smartphone is just like smoking cigarettes; once you start, you are trapped in a cycle of physical destruction.'
(a) Identify and explain the causal flaw in the first paragraph.
(b) Identify the restriction of options (false dichotomy) in the second paragraph.
(c) Evaluate the analogy between smartphones and cigarettes. Is it a reasonable or a wild analogy? Explain your answer.
Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.
An editorial in a local newspaper argues: "The city must either increase parking fees by 100% or face total traffic gridlock within two years. There is no other way to reduce the number of cars on our streets. Since gridlock would destroy our economy, we have no choice but to double the fees immediately. Therefore, anyone who opposes this price hike is effectively voting for economic collapse."
(a) Identify the restriction of options (false dichotomy) in this argument.
(b) Explain the slippery slope reasoning used by the author.
(c) Identify the personal attack (ad hominem) element in the conclusion.
Write your answer out first, then check it against the worked solution.
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