PHL 111 Module Five Study Guide: Informal Fallacies
Course: Introduction to Critical Thinking
1. True or False: A fallacy is present in an argument when the argument is incorrect but
can be mistaken to be logically correct.
a. True
b. False
Answer: True
Reasoning this is true is because an argument contains a fallacy when it appears to be
correct but on further examination is found to be incorrect.
2. True or False: When we intimidate someone in order to make them change their minds
on an issue, we have engaged in scare tactics.
a. True
b. False
Answer: True
Reasoning this is true is because scare tactics occur when force is used to persuade
someone.
3. The attempt to gain support for a conclusion by evoking sympathies for an irrelevant
matter is called what kind of appeal?
a. Appeal to pity
b. Popular appeal
c. Appeal to ignorance
d. Appeal to force
Answer: A- Appeal to pity
4. “My logic professor gave me some interesting information on neuroscience. Of course
I believe her, she has a Ph.D. after all.” What type of fallacy is this?
a. Inappropriate appeal to authority
b. Begging the question
c. Appropriate appeal to authority
Answer: A- Inappropriate appeal to authority
5. True or False: A formal fallacy is an argument that contains false premises.
a. True
b. False
Answer: False
Reasoning is because a formal fallacy occurs when the form of an argument is invalid,
independently of the truth or falsity of the statements in the argument.
6. Which fallacy attempts to frighten a listener into accepting an argument?
a. Appeal to popularity
b. Poor authority
c. Scare tactics
Answer: C- Scare tactics
7. “Please hire me for the job. I have thousands of dollars in student loans. I really need
it!” What type of fallacy is represented?
a. Appeal to confusion
b. Appeal to force
c. Appeal to fear
d. Appeal to pity
Answer: D- Appeal to pity
8. Which fallacy, if any, does the following commit? “According to General George
Stiffjaw, the economic problems we are facing are due to foreign import taxes. We
need to cut excess fees paid by our trusted allies.”
a. No fallacy is present
b. Unwarranted assumption
c. Loaded question
d. Inappropriate appeal to authority
e. Begging the question
Answer: D- Inappropriate appeal to authority
9. True or False: A fallacy is present when the argument is incorrect but can be mistaken
to be logically correct.
a. True
b. False
Answer: True
