GEN 499 WEEK 4 CRITICAL THINKING QUIZ
PRACTICE TESTED QUESTIONS 2026 VERIFIED
ANSWER KEY
◉ Which words describe an inductive argument whose grounds are
known to be true and whose grounds make a strong or probable
case? Answer: Cogent and sound
◉ For the fallacy questions, assume that a teacher and student
(Professor and Connie) are arguing about the morality of the death
penalty. They aren't very logical people, so all of their statements are
fallacies. Identify which fallacy each statement represents.
First fallacy: (Con-nie) "The death penalty must be wrong. Even
Kevin Costner, the movie star, is against it!" Answer: False appeal to
authority
◉ Same story. (Connie) "The problem with the death penalty is that
you can't stop it from expanding. First you execute only the worst
murderers. Then you start executing anyone who kills another
person. Then, it's all the felons. Pretty soon you'll be executing
people who kill their grass!" Answer: Slippery Slope
,◉ Same story. (Professor) "We have to show people that killing
others is wrong! If we have to kill a few people to get the point
across, so be it." Answer: Inconsistency
◉ Same story. (Connie) "I read that in countries without the death
penalty, the citizens have 50% fewer cavities in their teeth. If that's
true, the death penalty must somehow cause tooth decay." Answer:
Statistical Correlation
◉ Same story. (Professor) "Either you have to be in favor of the
death penalty or you just don't care about justice at all!" Answer:
Either/Or
◉ The following is meant to make up a deductive argument.
Complete the argument by choosing the correct statement to
conclude the argument.
Teachers at state college are underpaid.
Dr. Smith is a teacher at state college.
Therefore: Answer: Dr. Smith is underpaid
◉ Same story. (Connie) "Oh, yeah? Well, you're a stupid,
Neanderthal, conservative, idiot!" Answer: Ad Hominem Abusive
, ◉ Same story. (Professor) "I read that there were two murders last
week, just days after the Governor stopped that execution. It's
obvious that the Governor's actions caused the murders!" Answer:
Post Hoc
◉ Critical thinking model:
Step 1: Identification Answer: Main Moral Issue the one moral
decision to be made.
(One Main)
◉ Critical thinking model:
Step 2 Research Answer: Research areas based on the moral
decision to be made to making best decision possible.
Gathering information about the central ethical problem.(3 Options)
◉ Critical thinking model:
Step 3 Analysis Answer: Looking into smaller parts, identify
Stakeholders. Who are the stakeholders and how are they impacted
by the options?
PRACTICE TESTED QUESTIONS 2026 VERIFIED
ANSWER KEY
◉ Which words describe an inductive argument whose grounds are
known to be true and whose grounds make a strong or probable
case? Answer: Cogent and sound
◉ For the fallacy questions, assume that a teacher and student
(Professor and Connie) are arguing about the morality of the death
penalty. They aren't very logical people, so all of their statements are
fallacies. Identify which fallacy each statement represents.
First fallacy: (Con-nie) "The death penalty must be wrong. Even
Kevin Costner, the movie star, is against it!" Answer: False appeal to
authority
◉ Same story. (Connie) "The problem with the death penalty is that
you can't stop it from expanding. First you execute only the worst
murderers. Then you start executing anyone who kills another
person. Then, it's all the felons. Pretty soon you'll be executing
people who kill their grass!" Answer: Slippery Slope
,◉ Same story. (Professor) "We have to show people that killing
others is wrong! If we have to kill a few people to get the point
across, so be it." Answer: Inconsistency
◉ Same story. (Connie) "I read that in countries without the death
penalty, the citizens have 50% fewer cavities in their teeth. If that's
true, the death penalty must somehow cause tooth decay." Answer:
Statistical Correlation
◉ Same story. (Professor) "Either you have to be in favor of the
death penalty or you just don't care about justice at all!" Answer:
Either/Or
◉ The following is meant to make up a deductive argument.
Complete the argument by choosing the correct statement to
conclude the argument.
Teachers at state college are underpaid.
Dr. Smith is a teacher at state college.
Therefore: Answer: Dr. Smith is underpaid
◉ Same story. (Connie) "Oh, yeah? Well, you're a stupid,
Neanderthal, conservative, idiot!" Answer: Ad Hominem Abusive
, ◉ Same story. (Professor) "I read that there were two murders last
week, just days after the Governor stopped that execution. It's
obvious that the Governor's actions caused the murders!" Answer:
Post Hoc
◉ Critical thinking model:
Step 1: Identification Answer: Main Moral Issue the one moral
decision to be made.
(One Main)
◉ Critical thinking model:
Step 2 Research Answer: Research areas based on the moral
decision to be made to making best decision possible.
Gathering information about the central ethical problem.(3 Options)
◉ Critical thinking model:
Step 3 Analysis Answer: Looking into smaller parts, identify
Stakeholders. Who are the stakeholders and how are they impacted
by the options?
