Boost your speed and accuracy with this adaptive style 📈 worksheet. Worksheet 15 of 30 presents 20 intermediate-level strong/weak arguments problems. Focus on argument impact while practicing argument strength, critical analysis, argument evaluation. Difficulty: moderate complexity with mixed patterns. Perfect for mid-level test takers.
Topic: Should standardized testing be eliminated from schools?
Argument: Yes, because tests make students nervous
Which new piece of evidence would most weakens this argument?
This weakenss the argument because: Contradictory evidence undermines the claim
Question 2
Argument: We should ban smoking in all public places because secondhand smoke is harmful.
Which unstated assumption (missing premise) is necessary for this argument to be logically valid?
The missing premise is: The government has a duty to protect citizens from preventable harm caused by others.. Without this assumption, the conclusion doesn't necessarily follow from the given evidence.
Question 3
Context: Debate in City Council about building a new stadium
Argument: The stadium will create 500 permanent jobs and attract tourism revenue
In this context, how strong is this argument?
Strong argument in this context: Relevant economic benefits with specific numbers for municipal decision
Question 4
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.
Question 5
Proposal: Implementing a four-day work week nationwide
Argument: Pilot programs in multiple countries show 4-day weeks maintain productivity while improving employee well-being and reducing environmental impact through less commuting
What is the MOST significant weakness or missing element in this argument?
Key weakness: Doesn't address implementation costs. This limits the argument's strength despite other merits.
Question 6
Context: Debate in City Council about building a new stadium
Argument: Public funding should prioritize schools and infrastructure over entertainment venues
In this context, how strong is this argument?
Strong argument in this context: Addresses opportunity cost and public spending priorities
Question 7
Issue: Should the minimum wage be increased to $15/hour?
Argument A: No, because minimum wage jobs are meant for teenagers, not adults
Argument B: Yes, because it's been too long since the last minimum wage increase
Which argument is stronger?
Both arguments are weak because they both based on outdated assumption; data shows many adults work minimum wage jobs
Question 8
Proposal: Universal basic income of $1000/month for all citizens
Argument: Free money will make people lazy and stop working
Evaluate this argument across multiple criteria (evidence quality, relevance, comprehensiveness):
Issue: Should the minimum wage be increased to $15/hour?
Argument A: Yes, because workers earning minimum wage cannot afford basic living costs in most cities, and consumer spending will increase when workers have more money
Argument B: No, because minimum wage jobs are meant for teenagers, not adults
Which argument is stronger?
Argument A: Addresses both social justice and economic stimulation with clear causal reasoning. Argument B: Based on outdated assumption; data shows many adults work minimum wage jobs
Question 10
Context: Debate in City Council about building a new stadium
Argument: Sports stadiums are exciting and make people happy
In this context, how strong is this argument?
Weak argument in this context: Vague emotional appeal without addressing municipal finance or public benefit
Question 11
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.
Question 12
Proposal: Implementing a four-day work week nationwide
Argument: People have worked 5 days a week for decades, so we shouldn't change it
What is the MOST significant weakness or missing element in this argument?
Key weakness: Appeal to tradition fallacy. This limits the argument's strength despite other merits.
Question 13
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 platforms profit from engagement and have technological capability to monitor and filter harmful content
Which argument is stronger?
Argument A: Oversimplifies complex information environment and ignores scale of the problem. Argument B: Links profit motive with responsibility and acknowledges technical feasibility
Question 14
Issue: Should social media platforms be held liable for content posted by users?
Argument A: Yes, because there's too much fake news online
Argument B: No, because people should use common sense
Argument C: No, because content liability would require platforms to extensively censor speech, potentially violating First Amendment principles
Rank these arguments from strongest to weakest. Which is the STRONGEST?
Ranking analysis: A: Identifies problem but doesn't explain why platform liability is the solution B: Oversimplifies complex information environment and ignores scale of the problem C: Addresses constitutional concerns and explains broader implications
Question 15
Argument: College should be free because education benefits society.
Which unstated assumption (missing premise) is necessary for this argument to be logically valid?
The missing premise is: Society should collectively fund services that provide broad public benefits.. Without this assumption, the conclusion doesn't necessarily follow from the given evidence.
Question 16
Argument by analogy: 'We ban violent movies for children. Violent video games are similar in their violent content. Therefore, we should also ban violent video games for children.'
What is the STRONGEST counterargument to this analogy?
Interactive vs. passive consumption is a key difference that may make the analogy weak. Good analogical reasoning requires relevant similarities outweigh relevant differences.
Question 17
Issue: Should the minimum wage be increased to $15/hour?
Argument A: No, because minimum wage jobs are meant for teenagers, not adults
Argument B: Yes, because it's been too long since the last minimum wage increase
Which argument is stronger?
Both arguments are weak because they both based on outdated assumption; data shows many adults work minimum wage jobs
Question 18
Context: Corporate board meeting about remote work policy
Argument: In-person collaboration is essential for innovation and company culture
Which unstated assumption does this argument rely on?
Hidden assumption: Innovation cannot happen remotely. Without this assumption, the argument's conclusion may not follow from its premises.
Question 19
Issue: Should social media platforms be held liable for content posted by users?
Argument A: Yes, because there's too much fake news online
Argument B: No, because people should use common sense
Which argument is stronger?
Both arguments are weak because they both identifies problem but doesn't explain why platform liability is the solution
Question 20
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.
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