PLS2601 EXAM PACK 2023

PLS2601
EXAM
PACK 2023
QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS

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UNIVERSITY EXAMINATIONS




Jan/Feb 2021 (Supplementary)

PLS2601

Critical Reasoning

50 Marks
Duration 3 Hours



This paper consists of 8 pages.

Instructions:
1) This is a “take home” examination. You have 3 hours to complete it.
2) Complete all the questions that follow.
3) Ensure that you follow the individual instructions given for each question.
4) Number your answers correctly.
5) Provide both in-text and bibliographic references in your answer where you have used them.
6) You are reminded that an Honesty Declaration should be submitted with this “take home” examination.
7) If possible, please type your examination.
8) Your examination script should be submitted within the allocated time, on the myExams portal on myUnisa.
9) Please submit only one version of your examination script, which should be one document only.
10) Take a screenshot of your confirmation of submission as evidence of your submission.


The text for the declaration should be as follows:


ACADEMIC HONESTY DECLARATION
1. I understand what academic dishonesty entails and am aware of Unisa’s policies in this regard.
2. I declare that this “take home examination” is my own, original work. Where I have used someone else’s work I
have indicated this by using the prescribed style of referencing. Every contribution to, and quotation in, this
examination script from the work or works of other people has been referenced according to this style.
3. I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention of passing it off as his or her
own work.
4. I did not make use of another student’s work and submitted it as my own.


NAME: …………………………………………………………………………....
SIGNATURE: …………………………………………………………………....
STUDENT NUMBER: …………………………………………………………..
DATE: …………………………………………………………………………….




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PLS2601
Jan/Feb 2021
QUESTION 1: SHORT QUESTIONS:


Instructions for Question 1:
Write short answers for each question.


1.1. Define the “ad hominem fallacy”.


______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ (2)



1.2. What is a “bandwagon argument”?


______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ (2)



1.3. What is a “stipulative definition”?


______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ (2)



1.4. Define “argumentative writing”:


______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ (2)




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PLS2601
Jan/Feb 2021
1.5. Explain the difference between “explanatory writing” and “instructive writing”:


______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ (4)



1.6. Using the following table, compare the “modus ponens” and “modus tollens” arguments:


Modus Ponens: Modus Tollens:




(4)


1.7 Consider the following text from the former US President Ronald Reagan’s 1961 speech
concerning “socialized medicine”:


“Once you establish the precedent that the government can determine a
man’s working place and his working methods, determine his employment,
from here it's a short step to all the rest of socialism -- to determining his
pay, and pretty soon your son won’t decide when he’s in school, where he
will go, or what they will do for a living. He will wait for the government to tell
him where he will go to work and what he will do”
(https://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/ronaldreagansocializedmedi
cine.htm).

(a) Identify the fallacy evident in this text:


______________________________________________________________________ (2)




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