Multiple Choice Questions
Advanced Argumentative and Persuasive Writing (Continued)
Topic: Logical Fallacies
Grade: 11
Question 1:
Which logical fallacy is being used in the following statement? \”If you don\’t support this policy, then you must not care about the well-being of our country.\”
A) False Cause
B) Ad Hominem
C) Straw Man
D) False Dichotomy
Answer: D) False Dichotomy
Explanation: The statement presents a false dichotomy by suggesting that there are only two options: either supporting the policy or not caring about the well-being of the country. This oversimplifies the situation by ignoring other possible viewpoints or alternative solutions. A simple example would be saying that if you don\’t eat meat, then you must hate animals. A more complex example would be arguing that if you don\’t support a particular political party, then you must be a traitor to your country.
Question 2:
Which logical fallacy is being used in the following statement? \”If we ban guns, then only criminals will have them.\”
A) Hasty Generalization
B) False Cause
C) Slippery Slope
D) Appeal to Authority
Answer: C) Slippery Slope
Explanation: The statement presents a slippery slope fallacy by suggesting that one action (banning guns) will inevitably lead to a series of increasingly negative consequences (only criminals having guns). This overlooks the possibility of implementing regulations and restrictions to prevent criminals from obtaining guns. A simple example would be saying that if we allow students to use cell phones in school, then they will become addicted to technology. A more complex example would be arguing that if we legalize marijuana, then it will lead to a breakdown of society.
Question 3:
Which logical fallacy is being used in the following statement? \”You can\’t trust his opinion on climate change because he\’s not a scientist.\”
A) Appeal to Ignorance
B) Ad Hominem
C) Bandwagon
D) Red Herring
Answer: B) Ad Hominem
Explanation: The statement uses an ad hominem fallacy by attacking the person making the argument rather than addressing the argument itself. The fact that the person is not a scientist does not automatically invalidate their opinion on climate change. A simple example would be saying that you shouldn\’t listen to someone\’s advice on healthy eating because they are overweight. A more complex example would be arguing that a politician\’s proposed policies should be dismissed solely based on their personal behavior.
Question 4:
Which logical fallacy is being used in the following statement? \”If we allow same-sex marriage, then people will start marrying animals next.\”
A) False Dichotomy
B) Straw Man
C) False Cause
D) Slippery Slope
Answer: D) Slippery Slope
Explanation: The statement presents a slippery slope fallacy by suggesting that one action (allowing same-sex marriage) will inevitably lead to a series of increasingly negative consequences (people marrying animals). This overlooks the fact that legalizing same-sex marriage does not imply any changes to laws regarding marriage to animals. A simple example would be saying that if we legalize marijuana, then everyone will start using hard drugs. A more complex example would be arguing that if we allow assisted suicide for terminally ill patients, then it will lead to widespread euthanasia of disabled individuals.
Question 5:
Which logical fallacy is being used in the following statement? \”You either support stricter gun control or you support the murder of innocent people.\”
A) False Dichotomy
B) Hasty Generalization
C) Red Herring
D) Appeal to Emotion
Answer: A) False Dichotomy
Explanation: The statement presents a false dichotomy by suggesting that there are only two options: either supporting stricter gun control or supporting the murder of innocent people. This oversimplifies the issue by ignoring other possible viewpoints or alternative solutions. A simple example would be saying that if you don\’t like country music, then you must hate all music. A more complex example would be arguing that if you don\’t support a specific foreign policy decision, then you must be against the military.