Phil. 103: Introduction to Logic
General Education Assessment Project

Control
Virginia Dumont-Poston
English 373 Section 04¹

Directions

The following questions reflect some of the aims of our Introduction to Logic Course. Choose the best response in each of the following questions, and circle the letter corresponding to the best answer.

General Education Logic Assessment

Which of the following sentences is a statement?

a.

Congratulations on your recent advancement.

b.

Good morning!

c.

Please close the door when you leave.

d.

Mars has water.

e.

How many seconds are in a year?

Figure 1: Pretest Question 1: Statement
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...[\texttt{d}] \bar{4}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$
What is the conclusion of the following passage?
I would guess it's raining because the sky is cloudy, you are carrying an umbrella, your shoes are wet, and I hear thunder.

a.

I would guess it's raining.

b.

The sky is cloudy.

c.

You are carrying an umbrella.

d.

Your shoes are wet.

e.

I hear thunder.

Figure 2: Pretest Question 2: Conclusion
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...[\texttt{d}] \bar{9}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$
Evaluate the following disagreement.

John: Senator Jones maintained a stern and sullen silence during the meeting.

Mary: Not at all. Senator Jones was refreshingly outspoken during the meeting.

a.

John and Mary agree in belief and attitude.

b.

John and Mary agree in belief but disagree in attitude.

c.

John and Mary agree in attitude but disagree in belief.

d.

John and Mary disagree in both belief and attitude.

e.

Either John is right or Mary is right, but both persons can't be right.

Figure 3: Pretest Question 3: Disagreements
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{30}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$
Evaluate the following argument:
Mr. H.L.A. Aikens has argued persuasively that nuclear power plants are much safer that coal plants. Nevertheless, little weight should be given to his reasoning since he has worked in the nuclear power industry for over twenty years.

a.

Mr. Aikens' arguments can be discounted because Mr. Aiken is biased.

b.

Mr. Aikens might have some good points, but the issue is too complex for an conclusion to be drawn at this time.

c.

Mr. Aikens' character and experience are not logically relevant to the soundness of his arguments.

d.

Mr. Aikens' arguments must be right because of his experience. He knows what he is talking about.

e.

Everyone has a right to his opinion. If Mr. Aikens thinks his arguments are sound, then they are at least sound to him.

Figure 4: Pretest Question 4: ad hominem
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{39}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$
Evaluate the following argument:
Mr. Landrum: As I said a month ago, if Mr. Richardson does not come before the American people, as I have, and show his financial records, as I have, then this lack of action is proof that he has something to hide. Mr. Richardson has not revealed his financial records, so he's not being honest.

a.

If Mr. Richardson does not show his financial records, then he has something to hide.

b.

Mr. Richardson could still be honest and have nothing to hide but still not show his financial records.

c.

Neither Mr. Landrum nor Mr. Stevenson can be trusted.

d.

There is no doubt that Mr. Richardson has something to hide.

e.

Politicians always disagree, and this example is no exception.

Figure 5: Pretest Question 5: ad ignorantiam
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...[\texttt{d}] \bar{9}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$
What statement logically follows from the following statement?
Some New York police officers are honest policemen.

a.

All New York police officers are honest policemen.

b.

No New York police officers are totally honest policemen.

c.

Some New York police officers are not honest policemen.

d.

Some New York police officers are not dishonest policemen.

e.

Some honest policemen are not New York police officers.

Figure 6: Pretest Question 6: Subcontrariety
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{13}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$
What statement logically follows from the following statement?
Not all eyes that see well are healthy eyes.

a.

If your eyes are healthy, then you see well.

b.

If you see well, then your eyes are healthy.

c.

Some healthy eyes see well, and some don't.

d.

If your eyes are unhealthy, then you won't see well.

e.

Make sure you maintain good eye health.

Figure 7: Pretest Question 7: Immediate Inference
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...[\texttt{d}] \bar{9}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$
Evaluate the following argument.
No college graduates are persons who cannot read well, but all persons who cannot read well are persons who are illiterate, so no college graduates are persons who are illiterate.

a.

The argument proves its conclusion, if the premisses are known to be true.

b.

The argument does not prove its conclusion even if the premisses are true.

c.

The argument is good simply because all the statements are true.

d.

The argument is not valid, and the reasoning is flawed because all the statements are false.

e.

The argument might be good in some specific cases.

Figure 8: Pretest Question 8: Illicit Major
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{13}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$
What can most probably be concluded from the following statement?
The belongings in little Mary's room were strewn about in gay profusion.

a.

Little Mary's room was brightly and carefully decorated.

b.

Little Mary has many belongings and so is probably wealthy.

c.

Little Mary likes to throw things-including all her belongings.

d.

Little Mary has too many clothes.

e.

Little Mary doesn't put things away.

Figure 9: Pretest Question 9: Emotive Significance
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{52}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$
What can most probably be concluded about the following argument?
If she gives you an invitation to her party, then she wants you to come. Since she didn't give you an invitation, she obviously doesn't want you to come.

a.

You can logically conclude she doesn't want you to come to the party.

b.

The invitation quite possibly was lost, so you can't conclude anything.

c.

You can't logically conclude that she doesn't want you to come.

d.

You can safely conclude if she wanted you to come, she would have given you an invitation.

e.

Nothing can be concluded with certainty.

Figure 10: Pretest Question 10: Fallacy of Denying the Antecedent
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{35}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

**Figure 1:** Pretest Question 1: Statement
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...[\texttt{d}] \bar{4}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

**Figure 2:** Pretest Question 2: Conclusion
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...[\texttt{d}] \bar{9}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

**Figure 3:** Pretest Question 3: Disagreements
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{30}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

**Figure 4:** Pretest Question 4: *ad hominem*
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{39}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

**Figure 5:** Pretest Question 5: *ad ignorantiam*
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...[\texttt{d}] \bar{9}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

**Figure 6:** Pretest Question 6: Subcontrariety
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{13}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

**Figure 7:** Pretest Question 7: Immediate Inference
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...[\texttt{d}] \bar{9}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

**Figure 8:** Pretest Question 8: Illicit Major
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{13}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

**Figure 9:** Pretest Question 9: Emotive Significance
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{52}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

**Figure 10:** Pretest Question 10: Fallacy of Denying the Antecedent
$\begin{figure} \begin{center} \begin{barenv} \setwidth{20} \setdepth{0} \se... ...\texttt{d}] \bar{35}{5}[\texttt{e}] \end{barenv} \end{center} \end{figure}$

Assessment Note

: This assessment questionnaire does not form a part of your grade in this course, and individual scores are not recorded. Your answers will help establish whether the objectives of the course are being met. Thank you for your participation.

NAME ____________________________________________________

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Phil. 103: Introduction to Logic
General Education Assessment Project

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... 04 ¹: These data are also on the Web at http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/logicpretest-vdpr/logicpretest-vdpr.html and http://philosophy.lander.edu/logic/logicpretest-vdpr.pdf

Lee Archie 2002-09-16

Phil. 103: Introduction to Logic General Education Assessment Project

Directions

General Education Logic Assessment

Assessment Note

About this document ...

Footnotes

Phil. 103: Introduction to Logic
General Education Assessment Project