Exam 1: What Is Critical Thinking,anyway

Identify the main point or issue in the following passage,and decide whether the rest of the passage offers reasons for the main point (such as,whether the passage contains an argument),whether it illustrates (provides examples for)the main point,whether it explains the point,is irrelevant to the point,and so on. "In the last two hundred years,the theoretical landscape of biology has changed drastically,however.Species and other taxa are not the result of divine creation,but the products of evolution.Taxa are not static,timeless classes of organisms,but evolving and temporary entities.The theoretical assumptions of Linnaean system have been replaced by those of Darwinism and the Modern Synthesis." -Mark Ereshefsky,"Species and the Linnaean Hierarchy," in Species,ed.by R.A.Wilson First sentence states main point;the remainder provides examples of (and thus evidence for)the main point. Multiple Choice Questions

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument and,if it does,identify that argument's final conclusion. "You should stop doing that;it's hurting him."

Identify the main point or issue in the following passage,and decide whether the rest of the passage offers reasons for the main point (such as,whether the passage contains an argument),whether it illustrates (provides examples for)the main point,whether it explains the point,is irrelevant to the point,and so on. "Like me [Alexander Hamilton] usually read history or philosophy.In private,however (if I may be allowed to traduce his memory and expose him to all the world),Hamilton was a devoted reader of women's novels,as I discovered one day at the New York Society Library when I came upon a note in his hand asking the librarian to reserve for him Edward Mortimer (by a Lady)and The Amours of Count Palviano and Eleanora.I was shocked." -Gore Vidal,Burr

Determine whether the following passage is (or contains)an argument. "The personal computer revolution is marked by accidental discoveries.The entire market for these things was a big surprise to all the pioneers who put simple ads in hobbyist magazines and were stunned by an onslaught of eager customers." -John C.Dvorak No argument.

Identify the main issue in the following passage.If two or more issues are present,indicate how they are related-that is,does the settlement of one depend upon the settlement of the other? It's clear,given the recent increases in hate groups and racial violence,that we still need the laws originally crafted to combat the racism of the 1860s.A federal court jury recently ruled that two white-supremacist groups must pay nearly a million dollars in damages to racism protesters.This welcome message tells bigots of all types that if you violate others' rights,you'll be hit where it hurts-in the pocketbook.

Identify for which claims,if any,support has been given in the following passage;and state in your own words the reasons that have been offered for these claims. "The evening's 'official' party,thrown by the Samuel Goldwyn Co.to celebrate the premiere of its film Golden Gate,was noisy and crowded and located in one of the area's poshest ski lodges.But as usual,the serious action didn't begin until later,at the unofficial afterparties.The hot ticket that night at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City,Utah (pop.4,468),was a bash thrown in a rented condo by the William Morris talent agency and 20^th Century Fox.Actually,invitations were hardly needed;anybody who could find a parking spot on the clogged,snow-packed streets and squeeze through the crowd spilling out of the jammed condo could venture into the belly of the Hollywood beast." -Richard Zoglin

Determine whether the following passage is (or contains)an argument. "Today,there is strong evidence-not only in theory but in practice-that families who try to protect dying children from knowing they're dying rarely serve the child's best interests.This conspiracy of silence,however well-meaning,often puts nurses,relatives,and others who spend the most time with the patient,especially in their lonely moments,on the spot." -Thomas Scully and Celia Scully,Playing God:The New World of Medical Choices

Determine whether the following passage is (or contains)an argument. "It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied;better to be Socrates dissatisfied than a fool satisfied.And if the fool,or the pig,are of a different opinion,it is because they only know their own side of the question." -John Stuart Mill,Utilitarianism

Identify each speaker that gives an argument for his or her position in the following passage. worried athletic supporter:I'm particularly concerned with the proposed cuts in the university athletic program.If something has to be cut,let's start with something like dance or basket weaving. unworried athletic supporter:Oh,don't worry.The university isn't going to kill its cash cow.A strong athletic program is good publicity and brings in lots of contributions.The trustees aren't going to let anything happen to a first-rate program like ours.

Identify the main issue in the following passage.If two or more issues are present,indicate how they are related-that is,does the settlement of one depend upon the settlement of the other? Research has shown that the females of mammal species are more resistant to environmental hazards than are their male counterparts.That makes sense,because young mammals take so long to develop,both physically and mentally,and the females have to be able to function continuously if the species is going to survive.

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument;if it does,identify the main issue. That American schools have finally been integrated is a myth.The vast majority of African American students attend schools whose student bodies are almost entirely African American.And most whites attend schools where only a tiny minority are African American,Latino,or Asian.

Determine whether the following passage is (or contains)an argument. I don't care how well Thompson played last week.If he misses practice one more time,he's not going to play in the tournament,and that's that.

Identify the main issue in the following passage.If two or more issues are present,indicate how they are related-that is,does the settlement of one depend upon the settlement of the other? Average is as close to the top as it is to the bottom.A glass that is half empty is also half full.You should think positively.If you do,life will be more fun.

Identify each speaker that gives an argument for his or her position in the following passage. terry:You don't need to spend a lot of money on a home stereo system.Just buy a good car stereo.They're just as good as home stereos,and they're cheaper.All you need is an AC to DC power converter,and you're in business. larry:Fine,except who says a car stereo is cheaper? Car speakers cost more than home speakers.Also,it isn't exactly cheap to replace your car system if it gets stolen,as often happens.

Identify each speaker that gives an argument for his or her position in the following passage. she:When you think about it,there's every reason why women soldiers shouldn't serve in combat. he:Well,I don't think anyone should have to serve in combat.I wouldn't make anyone serve who doesn't want to.

The quality of a discussion often depends on how closely the parties attend to the same issue.For the passage below,determine whether the speakers are clearly disputing the same issue,or whether somebody is missing the point. a:Experimentation on animals? Horrid,awful,immoral! No argument would justify experimenting on animals that wouldn't also justify experimenting on humans. b:You're overlooking all the medical advances that have resulted from experimenting on animals.

Identify for which claims,if any,support has been given in the following passage;and state in your own words the reasons that have been offered for these claims. "I don't know whether to be amused or annoyed.The U.S.government spends millions of dollars rounding up herb farmers.Ridiculous! Deaths from alcohol abuse are overwhelming.Surely this is a bigger problem.I doubt even a single death from smoking pot and driving has been reported.And the idea that smoking pot leads to heroin is nonsense.Anyone who is going to become an addict will do so regardless of what they have around." -Letter to the editor,Glenn County Today

The quality of a discussion often depends on how closely the parties attend to the same issue.For the passage below,determine whether the speakers are clearly disputing the same issue,or whether somebody is missing the point. a:I think the oversight laws for police have to be toughened.Right now,it's difficult for society to protect itself against rogue cops. b:Well,I know you can't be convinced otherwise,but it just isn't true that every officer who's brought up on charges is guilty of those charges.

Determine whether the following passage contains an argument and,if it does,identify that argument's final conclusion. "Here's how you make chocolate milk.Warm up a cup of milk in the microwave for two minutes,then add two tablespoons of the chocolate.Stir it up,then stick it back in the microwave for another 30 seconds.Then enjoy it."

"I think there should be a speed limit for the "spandex" bicycle racers that feel the need to run those of us that don't ride or walk as fast off the road and into the bushes in Bidwell Park.The park is for everyone's pleasure and enjoyment,and more often than not it is spoiled by those few who feel they are superior to the rest of us.Approximately eight out of ten times when my family and I have ridden our bikes through the park at least one of us has just about been plowed over by one of those egotistical speeders."-From a letter to the editor Which of the following best states the primary issue discussed in the passage?