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Strong/Weak Arguments - Advanced Level: critical reasoning ADVANCED

Boost your speed and accuracy with this high difficulty set 📈 worksheet. Worksheet 25 of 30 presents 20 advanced-level strong/weak arguments problems. Focus on critical reasoning while practicing logical strength, persuasive arguments, reasoning strength. Difficulty: complex scenarios and multi-step problems. Perfect for advanced test takers.

📝 Worksheet 25 of 30 • 20 questions • ⏱️ Estimated time: 20 minutes • 🎯 Advanced level

What you'll learn in this worksheet:
Your progress through Strong/Weak Arguments
Worksheet 25 of 30 (83% complete)

Question 1

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 2

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 3

Proposal: Implementing a four-day work week nationwide Argument: Reducing work hours could harm economic competitiveness against countries with longer work weeks Evaluate this argument across multiple criteria (evidence quality, relevance, comprehensiveness):
Evidence: Moderate, Relevance: Strong, Comprehensiveness: Moderate. Overall: Moderate to Strong
arguments, multi-criteria, comprehensive

Question 4

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

Question 5

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
arguments, comparative, analysis

Question 6

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

Question 7

Topic: Should artificial intelligence be regulated more strictly? Argument: No, because over-regulation could slow innovation and let other countries gain competitive advantages Which new piece of evidence would most strengthens this argument?
This strengthenss the argument because: Historical precedent adds validity
arguments, evidence, evaluation

Question 8

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.
analogy, comparison, reasoning

Question 9

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 10

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 11

Argument: All professional athletes train regularly. Sarah trains regularly. Therefore, Sarah is a professional athlete. What is the primary logical flaw in this argument?
The flaw is Affirming the consequent. Affirms the consequent fallacy; training regularly doesn't guarantee professional athlete status
arguments, validity, logic

Question 12

Argument: Studies show that countries with higher education spending have stronger economies. Therefore, increasing education spending will strengthen our economy. Evaluate the logical validity:
Based on empirical evidence with reasonable causal connection
arguments, validity, logic

Question 13

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.
analogy, comparison, reasoning

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 content liability would require platforms to extensively censor speech, potentially violating First Amendment principles Which argument is stronger?
Argument A: Identifies problem but doesn't explain why platform liability is the solution. Argument B: Addresses constitutional concerns and explains broader implications
arguments, comparative, analysis

Question 15

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 16

Argument: If we allow same-day voter registration, then people will vote fraudulently. We cannot allow fraudulent voting. Therefore, we cannot allow same-day registration. Evaluate the logical validity:
Assumes extreme consequence without evidence that one leads to the other
arguments, validity, logic

Question 17

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 18

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
arguments, context, relevance

Question 19

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
arguments, context, relevance

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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