Logical Fallacies
An increasing number of people are keeping ferrets as pets, so they must make wonderful companion animals.
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
Bandwagon fallacy: the assumption that the popular choice is automatically correct
Straw man: a misrepresentation of an opponent’s position that makes it easier to argue against
False dichotomy: the false assertion that there are only two options
Slippery slope: an idea or course of action which will lead to something unacceptable, wrong, or disastrous
1. Bandwagon fallacy: the assumption that the popular choice is automatically correct
Which statement primarily appeals to pathos, or emotion, to support the position that achieving the American Dream is still possible in today’s world?
Many Americans still aspire to–and achieve–an updated version of the American Dream, with a thriving career and a fulfilling family life.
Like many first-generation immigrants, Lola has had to work hard to gain even small successes.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, new business formations have reached record highs in recent years, showing that individuals still have opportunities to innovate and achieve financial independence.
Affordable education options, such as community colleges and online platforms, provide pathways to better jobs and higher earning potential.
1. Many Americans still aspire to–and achieve–an updated version of the American Dream, with a thriving career and a fulfilling family life.
Chartreuse is to color as circle is to __.
Shape
Diameter
Circumference
Perpendicular
1. Shape
“Fog” by Carl Sandburg
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
What is the main idea of the poem?
A. Fog is dangerous to cities
B. Fog moves quietly and briefly through an area
C. Cats often walk through foggy places
D. The harbor is always covered in fog
B. Fog moves quietly and briefly through an area
A manager says, “He is no longer with the company” instead of saying he was fired.
Which term BEST describes this phrase?
A. Euphemism
B. Satire
C. Situational irony
D. Verbal irony
A. Euphemism
According to the commercial, four out of five people surveyed said that they use Twinkle Bright toothpaste, so it must be the best.
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
Bandwagon fallacy: the assumption that the popular choice is automatically correct
Straw man: a misrepresentation of an opponent’s position that makes it easier to argue against
Guilt by association: a negative association intended to discredit someone or something
Slippery slope: an idea or course of action which will lead to something unacceptable, wrong, or disastrous
1. Bandwagon fallacy: the assumption that the popular choice is automatically correct
Which statement primarily appeals to logos, or reason, to support the position that plastic water bottles should be banned?
People need to consider the pain and suffering of animals who become trapped by plastic waste to understand why plastic bottles should be banned.
Personally, I have decided to stop drinking bottled water because I care about the environment.
Given that bottled water sales are already on the decline, an outright ban of plastic water bottles might not be as drastic an idea as some may think.
Environmental organizations like Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) emphasize the devastating impact of single-use plastics on ecosystems.
3. Given that bottled water sales are already on the decline, an outright ban of plastic water bottles might not be as drastic an idea as some may think.
Which of the following word choices would be considered an antonym of the word lament?
Celebrate
Recommend
Grieve
Condone
1. Celebrate
“Fog” by Carl Sandburg
The fog comes
on little cat feet.
It sits looking
over harbor and city
on silent haunches
and then moves on.
How does the structure of the poem contribute to its meaning?
A. Long lines show the fog moves quickly
B. Short lines slow the reader down, matching the fog’s movement
C. Rhyming lines make the poem sound musical
D. Dialogue shows different perspectives
B. Short lines slow the reader down, matching the fog’s movement
A student turns in a blank assignment and says, “I definitely worked really hard on that.”
Which term BEST describes this statement?
A. Situational irony
B. Euphemism
C. Verbal irony
D. Dramatic irony
C. Verbal irony
Mom, I know you’re upset that I went over my allotted app purchases this month. However, the more important issue is that I got an A on my algebra exam.
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
Straw man: a misrepresentation of an opponent’s position that makes it easier to argue against
Appeal to nature: the assumption that natural things are always good
Red herring: the use of a completely unrelated topic or idea to distract
Circular reasoning: an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
3. Red herring: the use of a completely unrelated topic or idea to distract
Which statement primarily appeals to ethos, or credibility, to support the position that multitasking is harmful and interferes with people's productivity?
The effects of multitasking run deep: chronic multitaskers become scatterbrained and perpetually dissatisfied as they switch from one stimulus to the next.
According to the late Dr. Clifford Nass, a renowned technology researcher, multitasking leads to inefficiency and disorganized thinking.
Every time we multitask, we rob ourselves of the precious gift of time.
Multitasking breeds anxiety and a constant state of distraction, making it hard to relax. It's like living in a whirlwind where peace of mind feels unattainable, contributing to burnout and a deep sense of dissatisfaction.
2. According to the late Dr. Clifford Nass, a renowned technology researcher, multitasking leads to inefficiency and disorganized thinking.
In 1815, French emperor Napoleon suffered a devastating defeat in the Battle of Waterloo, which would prove to be his final battle before he abdicated the throne.
What is the meaning of the allusion in the sentence below?
Last night's play-off in the semifinals proved to be the team's Waterloo.
A virtual tie
A final loss
A successful venture
A challenging life phase
2. A final loss
“Hope is a strange invention” by Emily Dickinson
“Hope” is a strange invention—
A Patent of the Heart—
In unremitting action
Yet never wearing out—
Of this electric Adjunct
Not anything is known
But its unique momentum
Embellish all we own—
What does the final line suggest about hope?
A. It only affects emotions
B. It has little impact on life
C. It improves everything we experience
D. It is difficult to notice
C. It improves everything we experience
A professional chef accidentally burns dinner while cooking for a cooking competition judging panel.
Which term BEST describes this situation?
A. Verbal irony
B. Situational irony
C. Satire
D. Euphemism
B. Situational irony
All of my friends are coming to my birthday party. If Christine doesn’t, she might as well tell me that she doesn’t like me.
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
Straw man: a misrepresentation of an opponent’s position that makes it easier to argue against
False dichotomy: the false assertion that there are only two options
Slippery slope: an idea or course of action which will lead to something unacceptable, wrong, or disastrous
Circular reasoning: an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
2. False dichotomy: the false assertion that there are only two options
It is this fate, I solemnly assure you, that I dread for you, when the time comes that you make your decision, and realize that there is no longer anything that can be done. May you never find yourselves, men of Athens, in such a position! Yet in any case, it would be better to die ten thousand deaths, than to do anything out of servitude toward Philip. A noble reward did the people in Oreus receive, for entrusting themselves to Philip's friends, and thrusting Euphraeus aside! And a noble reward the democracy of Eretria, for driving away your envoys! They are now slaves, scourged and butchered! It is folly, and it is cowardice, to cherish hopes like these, to give way to evil counsels, to refuse to do anything that you should do, to listen to the advocates of the enemy's cause, and to fancy that you dwell in so great a city that, whatever happens, you will not suffer any harm.
-from a 342 BCE speech that Demosthenes addressed to the Athenians as the invasion of Philip II of Macedon advanced on Athens
Based on the excerpt, what is the purpose of Demosthenes's speech?
To encourage the Athenians to forge diplomatic resolution
To mourn the countries enslaved by Philip II
To compel the Athenians to defend themselves
To highlight his own personal fears about war
3. To compel the Athenians to defend themselves
When Craig finally agreed to let his daughter adopt the stray dog, she responded with a smile that was a mile wide.
What type of figurative language is used in the underlined portion?
Personification
Metaphor
Paradox
Hyperbole
4. Hyperbole
“Hope is a subtle glutton” by Emily Dickinson
Hope is a subtle Glutton—
He feeds upon the fair—
And yet—inspected closely—
What abstinence is there—
His is the Halcyon Table—
That never seats but One—
And whatsoever is consumed
The same amount remain—
What is the main idea of the poem?
A. Hope is harmful and should be avoided
B. Hope is easy to control
C. Hope only exists in nature
D. Hope consumes experiences but never disappears
D. Hope consumes experiences but never disappears
In a story, the audience knows a character’s phone has no battery, but the character is confidently waiting for an important call.
Which term BEST describes this situation?
A. Dramatic irony
B. Situational irony
C. Verbal irony
D. Euphemism
A. Dramatic irony
Thanks to her enduring popularity with employees, Katie Norton is the best-liked CEO in our company’s history. She deserves an award.
Which logical fallacy is used in the text?
Straw man: a misrepresentation of an opponent’s position that makes it easier to argue against
False dichotomy: the false assertion that there are only two options
Red herring: the use of a completely unrelated topic or idea to distract
Circular reasoning: an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
4. Circular reasoning: an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
It is this fate, I solemnly assure you, that I dread for you, when the time comes that you make your decision, and realize that there is no longer anything that can be done. May you never find yourselves, men of Athens, in such a position! Yet in any case, it would be better to die ten thousand deaths, than to do anything out of servitude toward Philip. A noble reward did the people in Oreus receive, for entrusting themselves to Philip's friends, and thrusting Euphraeus aside! And a noble reward the democracy of Eretria, for driving away your envoys! They are now slaves, scourged and butchered! It is folly, and it is cowardice, to cherish hopes like these, to give way to evil counsels, to refuse to do anything that you should do, to listen to the advocates of the enemy's cause, and to fancy that you dwell in so great a city that, whatever happens, you will not suffer any harm.
-from a 342 BCE speech that Demosthenes addressed to the Athenians as the invasion of Philip II of Macedon advanced on Athens
In the bolded text, what rhetorical strategy does Demosthenes use?
He appeals to the audience’s fears.
He uses a metaphor about democracy.
He empathizes with his audience’s grief.
He appeals to the audience’s sense of pride.
1.
“I must be cruel, only to be kind.”
-Hamlet, William Shakespeare
What type of figurative language is used in the passage?
Personification
Metaphor
Paradox
Hyperbole
3. Paradox
“Hope is a subtle glutton” by Emily Dickinson
Hope is a subtle Glutton—
He feeds upon the fair—
And yet—inspected closely—
What abstinence is there—
His is the Halcyon Table—
That never seats but One—
And whatsoever is consumed
The same amount remain—
What is the effect of calling hope a “subtle Glutton”?
A. It shows hope is obvious and loud
B. It proves hope is negative
C. It suggests hope quietly consumes without being noticed
D. It shows hope disappears quickly
C. It suggests hope quietly consumes without being noticed
An author writes a story about a school where students earn rewards for ignoring deadlines, to highlight real-world issues with procrastination and accountability.
Which term BEST describes this technique?
A. Euphemism
B. Verbal irony
C. Situational irony
D. Satire
D. Satire