Exam 3: Clear Thinking,critical Thinking,and Clear Writing

Define "display (verb)" by synonyms,using one synonym that carries a complimentary meaning and one that carries a derogatory emotive meaning.

Indicate whether this informal definition is by example,by synonym,or analytical:"Congenial" means "companionable."

Evaluate the following claim,paying particular attention to problems of clarity.Note that claims may also present problems of knowability,though we don't address knowability per se in this chapter. Every socialist country in the world has been a violator of the fundamental human rights of individuals.

Define "decayed" by synonyms,using one synonym that carries a complimentary meaning and one that carries a derogatory emotive meaning.

Determine whether the claim in the following is too vague in the context that is stated or implied:"How many miles to a gallon does it get? Oh,you'll be quite satisfied if you buy this little beauty.It gets really impressive mileage."

Determine whether the following claim is best classified as semantically ambiguous (and whether this contains grouping ambiguities),syntactically ambiguous,or free from ambiguity:Residents of the continental United States have more pets than those of Alaska.

For the term,"ballet," invent a persuasive definition (either positive or negative).Remember,persuasive definitions can be analytical definitions,definitions by example,or definitions by synonym.

Classify the following:"Four spades and a heart make a four-flush."

Criticize the following claim based on the material from Chapter 3 of the text. MAN IS FATALLY SLAIN-headline sent from Bangs Tapscott

Determine whether the following claim is best classified as semantically ambiguous (and whether this contains grouping ambiguities),syntactically ambiguous,or free from ambiguity:Carlton harassed the man on the motorcycle.

Any analytical definition of the word "dog" would also be an analytical definition of the word "animal."

Which item in the following set of claims has the most negative emotive meaning? a.He was a cautious sort. b.He was deliberate and heedful of his own safety. c.He was afraid to take the slightest risk. d.He was spineless.

Define "government worker" by synonyms,using one synonym that carries a complimentary meaning and one that carries a derogatory emotive meaning.

Using a name or description of an item that you can't point to,provide a definition by example for "reasoning." If you have difficulty doing so,try to identify the source of the trouble.

Determine whether the claim in the following is too vague in the context that is stated or implied:The president has determined that tax reform will be his first priority during his second term in office.

A definition by example could be used to differentiate the meanings of "equilateral triangle" and "equiangular triangle."

Classify the following definition according to its use:to reduce vagueness,to introduce or explain a new or unusual word,to evoke an attitude about something,or to accomplish some other purpose. "In this book we use the word universe to denote a 'model of the Universe' and avoid making pretentious claims to a true knowledge of the Universe."-Edward R.Harrison,Cosmology

Criticize the following claim based on the material from Chapter 3 of the text. Place the box next to the refrigerator before you open it.

Classify the following:"'It was a dark and stormy night' is what I mean by 'cliché.'"

Using a name or description of an item that you can't point to,provide a definition by example for "abstraction." If you have difficulty doing so,try to identify the source of the trouble.