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Strong/Weak Arguments - Intermediate Level: logical consistency INTERMEDIATE

Exam-focused quick response training ★ worksheet: 20 intermediate-level strong/weak arguments questions. Worksheet 13 of 30 targets logical consistency. Build proficiency in reasoning strength, argument quality, logical assessment with detailed solutions. Ideal for mid-level competitive exam preparation.

📝 Worksheet 13 of 30 • 20 questions • ⏱️ Estimated time: 20 minutes • 🎯 Intermediate level

What you'll learn in this worksheet:
Your progress through Strong/Weak Arguments
Worksheet 13 of 30 (43% complete)

Question 1

To properly evaluate whether the diversity training CAUSED the increase in minority hiring, what counterfactual would you need to compare against?
Counterfactual reasoning asks: 'What would have happened otherwise?' Without a baseline or control, you can't isolate the training's effect from other factors (e.g., a tight labor market).
counterfactual, causation, evaluation

Question 2

What is the primary weakness in this argument?
Small, non-random sample (n=5) cannot support population-wide conclusions regardless of unanimity.
statistics, probability, base rates

Question 3

Argument: We should require voter ID because it prevents fraud. Which is the STRONGEST counterargument?
The strongest counterargument addresses the premise (fraud prevalence) and shows the policy's harm outweighs its benefit, using evidence.
counterargument, dialectical, rebuttal

Question 4

Is this argument deductive or inductive?
Deductive arguments aim for logical necessity. If premises are true, conclusion must be true. This is a classic syllogism.
induction, deduction, reasoning type

Question 5

What missing counterfactual would best test this claim?
The key counterfactual is the 'no-policy' baseline. If jobs would have grown by 50,000 anyway due to economic recovery, the tax cut had no effect.
counterfactual, causation, evaluation

Question 6

Question: Should companies be required to provide paid parental leave? Argument: No, because people should plan their finances before having children Is this a strong or weak argument?
Weak argument: Oversimplifies complex socioeconomic factors affecting families
arguments, strength, basic

Question 7

What is the primary weakness in this argument?
Small, non-random sample (n=5) cannot support population-wide conclusions regardless of unanimity.
statistics, probability, base rates

Question 8

Topic: Should standardized testing be eliminated from schools? Argument: No, because standardized tests provide objective measures for comparing student and school performance Evaluate the strength of this argument:
Strong argument: Provides specific evidence, addresses real consequences, and makes logical connections
arguments, evidence, evaluation

Question 9

Argument: 'Ice cream sales and drowning deaths both rise together. Therefore, ice cream causes drowning.' What is the logical problem with this argument?
This is a classic 'correlation does not imply causation' fallacy. Hot weather causes both increased ice cream sales and more swimming/drowning.
causation, fallacy, correlation

Question 10

What is the logical form of this argument?
Form: If P then Q. Q is true. Therefore P. This is affirming the consequent, a formal fallacy. The ground could be wet from sprinklers, not rain.
structure, premises, conclusion, logic

Question 11

Issue: Should social media platforms be held liable for content posted by users? Argument A: No, because people should use common sense Argument B: Yes, because there's too much fake news online Which argument is stronger?
Both arguments are weak because they both oversimplifies complex information environment and ignores scale of the problem
arguments, comparative, analysis

Question 12

Argument: 'After we started the job training program, unemployment went down. So the program caused the decrease.' What important alternative explanation is ignored?
This commits the 'post hoc' fallacy (after this, therefore because of this). Without a control group or considering national trends, we can't establish causation.
causation, fallacy, correlation

Question 13

Argument: We should require voter ID because it prevents fraud. Which is the STRONGEST counterargument?
The strongest counterargument addresses the premise (fraud prevalence) and shows the policy's harm outweighs its benefit, using evidence.
counterargument, dialectical, rebuttal

Question 14

Context: Debate in City Council about building a new stadium Argument: I don't like sports so this is a waste of money In this context, how strong is this argument?
Weak argument in this context: Personal preference irrelevant to public policy decisions
arguments, context, relevance

Question 15

What is the primary weakness in this argument?
Small, non-random sample (n=5) cannot support population-wide conclusions regardless of unanimity.
statistics, probability, base rates

Question 16

Argument: College isn't worth it because some graduates struggle to find jobs. Which is the STRONGEST counterargument?
The strongest counterargument uses aggregate data to rebut the anecdotal claim, showing the general trend outweighs exceptions.
counterargument, dialectical, rebuttal

Question 17

Issue: Should the minimum wage be increased to $15/hour? Argument A: No, because small businesses will be forced to reduce hours or lay off workers to manage increased labor costs Argument B: Yes, because it's been too long since the last minimum wage increase Argument C: Yes, because workers earning minimum wage cannot afford basic living costs in most cities, and consumer spending will increase when workers have more money Rank these arguments from strongest to weakest. Which is the STRONGEST?
Ranking analysis:
A: Identifies specific economic mechanism and realistic business response
B: Time passage alone doesn't justify policy change without addressing underlying conditions
C: Addresses both social justice and economic stimulation with clear causal reasoning
arguments, comparative, analysis

Question 18

Is this argument deductive or inductive?
Deductive arguments aim for logical necessity. If premises are true, conclusion must be true. This is a classic syllogism.
induction, deduction, reasoning type

Question 19

In this argument: 'All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal.' Which statement is the CONCLUSION?
The conclusion is what the argument tries to prove. The premises ('All humans are mortal' and 'Socrates is human') support the conclusion 'Socrates is mortal.'
structure, premises, conclusion, logic

Question 20

You test positive for a rare disease (1 in 10,000 prevalence). The test is 99% accurate (1% false positive rate). What is the approximate probability you actually have the disease?
With 10,000 people: 1 true case, but 100 false positives (1% of 9,999). So probability = 1/(1+100) ≈ 1%. This tests base rate neglect.
statistics, probability, base rates
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