Sanders PHIL 1301 Test 1

QUESTION 1

1. How does an argument differ from an assertion?

		An argument will not contain a conclusion.
		Assertions can either argue facts or beliefs.
		Arguments are not intended to prove a conclusion by the use of reasoning.
		An argument is intended to prove a conclusion by the use of reasoning.

6 points   

QUESTION 2

1. Which of the following is a conclusion indicator word?

		Yes
		No
		Where
		Therefore

6 points   

QUESTION 3

1. Which of the following best defines a conclusion?

		A conclusion is an assertion that supports another assertion.
		A conclusion is the final point of all non-arguments.
		A conclusion is the summary of an argument.
		A conclusion is the final point that a line of reasoning tries to prove.

6 points   

QUESTION 4

1. Which of the following is an example of an assertion?

		Where is the bakery?
		Two plus two is four.
		Please tell me what is wrong.
		What time is the meeting?

6 points   

QUESTION 5

1. Which of the following characterizes an argument?

		A conclusion supported by a line of reasoning
		A conclusion supported by advice
		A conclusion supported by opinions
		A conclusion supported by illustrations

6 points   

QUESTION 6

1. What are the two parts of an argument?

		An explanation and a piece of advice
		An assertion and a non-assertion
		A conclusion and a line of reasoning
		A summary with specific illustrations

6 points   

QUESTION 7

1. Arguments are clearly different from non-arguments because:

		arguments are summaries while non-arguments are not.
		only arguments have assertions.
		non-arguments are explanations whereas arguments do not contain explanations.
		arguments have conclusions and a line of reasoning while non-arguments do not.

Question 8

What is the best characterization of a non-argument?

		A poem that tries to create a specific mood relevant to a specific time period
		A passage or text that does not try to convince you of a conclusion with a line of reasoning
		a passage with rhetorical questions in which the author answers the rhetorical questions
		An argument with a very bad line of reasoning even though all of the assertions are true

Question 09

Match the term with the proper description.

Arguments                                                                          Descriptions                                                                          Summaries                                                                          Opinions and beliefs                                                                          Clarifications

A. Statements that report information but include no reasoning B. An outline of key information…a paraphrase of a longer piece of work C. Attempt to persuade by providing a line of reasoning and a conclusion D. Present someone's point of view without offering reasons E. Spell out or expand further on a particular concept or idea F. Statements or assertions that describe what someone thinks ought to be done

Question 10

Write down a conclusion that you recently drew. Write down the beliefs that lead you to this conclusion. You should express your beliefs as assertions. Your conclusion will also be an assertion. Your response must be at least 75 words in length.

Question 11

Read the following argument: I had a very long conversation with my neighbor yesterday. He is very friendly. His wife is also very nice. My neighbor updated me on what he has been doing and also on his future plans. One of his future plans totally shocked me! He is moving out of our middle class neighborhood. He has bought a 10-million-dollar mansion in Beverly Hills and will be moving there next month with his whole family. He is also going on a 6-month cruise after he is all moved in. He will travel the whole world in this cruise! It also surprised me that he had just bought a new $300,000 luxury automobile. He has always liked cars. It is very obvious that my neighbor is suddenly very wealthy. What is the conclusion in this argument? What are some assertions that are not at all relevant to the conclusion? Your response must be at least 75 words in length.