Recognise an argument: Practice Questions

Consider the following argument:

"Environmentalists argue that we must immediately halt all offshore drilling to protect marine life. However, if we stop domestic drilling, we will become entirely dependent on foreign oil suppliers, leading to significant economic instability and higher energy prices for consumers. Therefore, maintaining some level of offshore drilling is necessary to ensure national energy security and economic stability.

What is the main conclusion of this argument?

A local government official argues: "We should privatize the city bus network. Private companies operate more efficiently than public bodies, which means privatization will automatically result in better service quality for all commuters."

What unstated assumption is the official making?

Read the following statement:

"The city should invest more in public transport, such as buses and trains. Traffic congestion has worsened significantly over the past five years, leading to longer commute times and increased air pollution. Improving public transport will encourage more people to leave their cars at home, thereby reducing the number of vehicles on the road and making the city cleaner and more efficient for everyone."

Which of the following is the main conclusion of the argument?

Identify the main conclusion in the following argument:

"Since all professional athletes train rigorously every day, and rigorous training enhances performance, it must be true that rigorous training is essential for achieving success in professional sports."

Identify the key unstated assumption required to validate the following argument: "The introduction of a school uniform policy is the only viable method to reduce instances of socio-economic bullying, therefore the policy must be implemented immediately."

Read the following short argument:

"All major cities are suffering from chronic parking shortages. Since parking metres generate significant revenue for the municipality, the city council should immediately raise the fees for all street parking spots by 50%. This action, by discouraging daily commuters from using prime spots, will free up space for shoppers, thereby improving local retail business. Clearly, increasing parking fees is the only sensible way forward to manage city traffic and generate necessary funds.

a) Identify the Main Conclusion of the argument.

b) Identify one Intermediate Conclusion used in the argument.

A local government official stated:

"We have spent millions installing CCTV cameras across the city centre, yet the rate of reported street crime has not decreased in the last quarter. This proves conclusively that surveillance cameras are a total waste of taxpayer money and do not deter criminal activity at all. We should scrap the entire program and invest the funds elsewhere."

a) Identify the crucial Unstated Assumption required for the official's reasoning to move from the evidence (no decrease in reported crime) to the conclusion (CCTV is useless).

b) Explain the function of this assumption within the structure of the argument.