TYPES OF REASONING EXERCISE

Identify the predominate form of reasoning in each of the arguments that follow. If you are convinced more than one type of reasoning is involved, explain why you think one type of reasoning is a better choice than another.

(Note: scroll to the bottom for the answers)

1. "If the Lakers enjoy the home court advantage throughout the playoffs, they should win the NBA title. Statistics show that the team with the home court advantage has won 74.8% of the playoff series in the past."

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

2. "This dog belongs to someone. It has a licence and tag around its collar."

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

3. "I think my neighbor is a drug dealer. He wears three different beepers, and he has visitors at all times of the day and night."

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

4. "By the time our old dog, Shep, was 12 years old, he was blind in both eyes and had arthritis so bad he could barely walk. He got to the point where he would yelp whenever anyone touched his back legs, so we finally took him to the Vet and had him put to sleep. Why can’t people see that this is much more humane than the way we treat humans with terminal illnesses. If a person is terminally ill, and in constant pain, why not help them end their suffering?"

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

5. "Canned foods are high in sodium. For example, it says on the nutrition facts that this can of soup has 1,090 mg. of sodium. That’s 65% of the daily amount of sodium a person should consume."

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

6. Fifi: "Rex invited me over to his place to study tonight."

Muffin: "I wouldn’t go if I were you. He’s got more on his mind than studying."

Fifi: "Why do you say that?"

Muffin: "Because all guys are after one thing, and it isn’t good grades!"

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

7. "I wouldn’t eat in that restaurant if I were you. It has a ‘C’ rating displayed in the window.

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

8. "Al Gore would beat John McCain in a presidential election, because in 19 of the last 21 elections the taller candidate won."

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

9. "This flashlight won’t turn on. The batteries must be dead."

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

10. "Banning baggy pants at schools in an effort to prevent students from concealing weapons or drugs, makes about as much sense as banning make-up at schools in order to stop teen promiscuity."

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

11. "Babbs has been taking ginseng and gingko biloba for the past two months, and she seems to have a lot more energy. I think I’ll start taking them too."

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

12. Noel: "Let’s watch this show about Egyptian mummies and mummification."

Ruby: "No way! I’m watching ‘I want to be a Millionaire.’"

Noel: "But don’t you think mummification would be interesting?"

Ruby: "It will be boring."

Noel" "How do you know?"

Ruby: "It’s on PBS."

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign

13. "You don’t have to go to college to be successful. This guy I went to high school with was hired right out of high school to design web sites, and he’s making a six-figure salary now."

A. analogy

B. generalization

C. example

D. cause-effect

E. sign