Argument Analysis Practice: Basic Concepts

The questions below refer to the following argument:
(The argument also appears at the bottom of the form)

• "(a)Casual sex is justifiable in some cases. (b)If some people can't find a partner who is willing to enter into a serious relationship, casual sex in their only alternative to abstinence. (c)Some people cannot find a partner who is willing to enter into a serious relationship. (d)If casual sex is the only alternative to abstinence for some people, then casual sex is justifiable in some cases."

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1. Which of the statements above will be the conclusion?
a
b
c
d
there is no conclusion

2. Which statements will be the premises?
a,b and c
b, c and d
d, a and b
d, a and c
none of the above

3. What type of statement is statement a ?
conjunction
disjunction
conditional
negation
simple statement

4. What type of statement is statement b?
conjunction
disjunction
conditional
negation
simple statement

5. What type of statement is statement c?
conjunction
disjunction
conditional
negation
simple statement

6. What type of statement is statement d?
conjunction
disjunction
conditional
negation
simple statement

7. Will this argument be:___________?
valid
invalid
sound
true
none of the above

Suppose we assign the simple statements which appear in this argument the following notations:

• Some people can find a partner who is willing to enter into a serious relationship = P
• Casual sex is the only alternative to abstinence for some people = Q
• Casual sex is justifiable in some cases =R

8. How would statement b appear in symbolic notation?
~PvQ
~P>Q
Q>R
~P
none of the above

9. How would statement d appear in symbolic notation?
~PvQ
~P>Q
Q&R
Q>R
none of the above

10. Will the argument under consideration be ___________________?
a Deductive argument
an Inductive argument
none of the above
all of the above

Submitting a completed form will return a confirmation page with your grade. Unanswered questions will be graded as wrong answers. Good luck. If you need further help with the concepts tested here, you will want to return to the Table of Contents.

The questions above refer to the following argument:

• "(a)Casual sex is justifiable in some cases. (b)If some people can't find a partner who is willing to enter into a serious relationship, casual sex in their only alternative to abstinence. (c)Some people cannot find a partner who is willing to enter into a serious relationship. (d)If casual sex is the only alternative to abstinence for some people, then casual sex is justifiable in some cases."

Copyright © 1996
Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum Project
Longview Community College , Lee's Summit, Missouri - U.S.A.
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Last modified: 03/02/04