EnglishAges 16-18

Critical argument & evidence

Evaluate claims, counterarguments, empirical evidence and logical fallacies in critical writing. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Critical argument & evidence

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Name the error of selecting only data points that support your hypothesis while ignoring contradictory data: Cherry-picking (confirmation bias) or Deductive validity?
Name the error of selectin… · Critical argument & evidence
2. Why should a survey sample be selected randomly from the whole population rather than only from one friendship group: to reduce sampling bias, or to guarantee everyone agrees?
Why should a survey sample… · Critical argument & evidence
3. Name the fallacy that claims one small step will inevitably trigger a chain of extreme consequences without evidence for each link: Slippery slope or Equivocation?
Name the fallacy that clai… · Critical argument & evidence
4. Is “Summer is the most enjoyable season of the year” an empirical fact or a subjective opinion?
Is “Summer is the most enj… · Critical argument & evidence
5. Reasoning that formulates a probable general pattern from repeated systematic observations is: Inductive or Circular?
Reasoning that formulates … · Critical argument & evidence
6. Name the fallacy of deflecting criticism by accusing the critic of the same flaw (“you do it too”) instead of answering the point: Tu quoque or False dilemma?
“you do it too” · Critical argument & evidence
7. Name the fallacy in which the conclusion is already assumed inside one of the premises: Circular reasoning (begging the question) or Slippery slope?
Name the fallacy in which … · Critical argument & evidence
8. Reasoning that moves from a general rule (“All mammals have lungs”) to a specific case (“Dolphins are mammals, so dolphins have lungs”) is: Deductive or Anecdotal?
Reasoning that moves from … · Critical argument & evidence
9. In logic, an argument whose conclusion MUST be true whenever all its premises are true is called: Valid or Fallacious?
In logic, an argument whos… · Critical argument & evidence
10. Name the fallacy that assumes because Event B followed Event A, Event A must have caused Event B: Post hoc (false cause) or Ad hominem?
Name the fallacy that assu… · Critical argument & evidence
11. Which source is stronger evidence for a medical claim: a peer-reviewed randomised controlled trial, or a single anonymous online anecdote?
Which source is stronger e… · Critical argument & evidence
12. Name the logical fallacy that attacks the person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself: Ad hominem or Straw man?
Name the logical fallacy t… · Critical argument & evidence

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Critical argument & evidence

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Name the error of selecting only data points that support your hypothesis while ignoring contradictory data: Cherry-picking (confirmation bias) or Deductive validity?
Cherry-picking (confirmation bias)
Cherry-picking suppresses counter-evidence and distorts the conclusion.
2. Why should a survey sample be selected randomly from the whole population rather than only from one friendship group: to reduce sampling bias, or to guarantee everyone agrees?
To reduce sampling bias
Random sampling helps ensure the sample represents the wider population fairly.
3. Name the fallacy that claims one small step will inevitably trigger a chain of extreme consequences without evidence for each link: Slippery slope or Equivocation?
Slippery slope
A slippery slope asserts an unproven cascade of extreme outcomes.
4. Is “Summer is the most enjoyable season of the year” an empirical fact or a subjective opinion?
Subjective opinion
Enjoyment varies by personal preference and cannot be settled by measurement alone.
5. Reasoning that formulates a probable general pattern from repeated systematic observations is: Inductive or Circular?
Inductive
Inductive reasoning generalises from observed instances to a broader hypothesis.
6. Name the fallacy of deflecting criticism by accusing the critic of the same flaw (“you do it too”) instead of answering the point: Tu quoque or False dilemma?
Tu quoque
Tu quoque (“you also”) avoids the logical merit of the argument.
7. Name the fallacy in which the conclusion is already assumed inside one of the premises: Circular reasoning (begging the question) or Slippery slope?
Circular reasoning (begging the question)
Circular reasoning assumes the very claim it sets out to prove.
8. Reasoning that moves from a general rule (“All mammals have lungs”) to a specific case (“Dolphins are mammals, so dolphins have lungs”) is: Deductive or Anecdotal?
Deductive
Deductive reasoning applies a general premise to reach a guaranteed specific conclusion.
9. In logic, an argument whose conclusion MUST be true whenever all its premises are true is called: Valid or Fallacious?
Valid
Deductive validity means the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises.
10. Name the fallacy that assumes because Event B followed Event A, Event A must have caused Event B: Post hoc (false cause) or Ad hominem?
Post hoc (false cause)
Post hoc ergo propter hoc confuses chronological sequence with causation.
11. Which source is stronger evidence for a medical claim: a peer-reviewed randomised controlled trial, or a single anonymous online anecdote?
A peer-reviewed randomised controlled trial
Controlled trials with peer review minimise bias and random error.
12. Name the logical fallacy that attacks the person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself: Ad hominem or Straw man?
Ad hominem
An ad hominem fallacy targets the speaker’s character or motive instead of their reasoning.

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Critical argument & evidence

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. Name the error of selecting only data points that support your hypothesis while ignoring contradictory data: Cherry-picking (confirmation bias) or Deductive validity?
Name the error of selectin… · Critical argument & evidence
2. Why should a survey sample be selected randomly from the whole population rather than only from one friendship group: to reduce sampling bias, or to guarantee everyone agrees?
Why should a survey sample… · Critical argument & evidence
3. Name the fallacy that claims one small step will inevitably trigger a chain of extreme consequences without evidence for each link: Slippery slope or Equivocation?
Name the fallacy that clai… · Critical argument & evidence
4. Is “Summer is the most enjoyable season of the year” an empirical fact or a subjective opinion?
Is “Summer is the most enj… · Critical argument & evidence
5. Reasoning that formulates a probable general pattern from repeated systematic observations is: Inductive or Circular?
Reasoning that formulates … · Critical argument & evidence
6. Name the fallacy of deflecting criticism by accusing the critic of the same flaw (“you do it too”) instead of answering the point: Tu quoque or False dilemma?
“you do it too” · Critical argument & evidence
7. Name the fallacy in which the conclusion is already assumed inside one of the premises: Circular reasoning (begging the question) or Slippery slope?
Name the fallacy in which … · Critical argument & evidence
8. Reasoning that moves from a general rule (“All mammals have lungs”) to a specific case (“Dolphins are mammals, so dolphins have lungs”) is: Deductive or Anecdotal?
Reasoning that moves from … · Critical argument & evidence
9. In logic, an argument whose conclusion MUST be true whenever all its premises are true is called: Valid or Fallacious?
In logic, an argument whos… · Critical argument & evidence
10. Name the fallacy that assumes because Event B followed Event A, Event A must have caused Event B: Post hoc (false cause) or Ad hominem?
Name the fallacy that assu… · Critical argument & evidence
11. Which source is stronger evidence for a medical claim: a peer-reviewed randomised controlled trial, or a single anonymous online anecdote?
Which source is stronger e… · Critical argument & evidence
12. Name the logical fallacy that attacks the person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself: Ad hominem or Straw man?
Name the logical fallacy t… · Critical argument & evidence

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Critical argument & evidence

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. Name the error of selecting only data points that support your hypothesis while ignoring contradictory data: Cherry-picking (confirmation bias) or Deductive validity?
Cherry-picking (confirmation bias)
Cherry-picking suppresses counter-evidence and distorts the conclusion.
2. Why should a survey sample be selected randomly from the whole population rather than only from one friendship group: to reduce sampling bias, or to guarantee everyone agrees?
To reduce sampling bias
Random sampling helps ensure the sample represents the wider population fairly.
3. Name the fallacy that claims one small step will inevitably trigger a chain of extreme consequences without evidence for each link: Slippery slope or Equivocation?
Slippery slope
A slippery slope asserts an unproven cascade of extreme outcomes.
4. Is “Summer is the most enjoyable season of the year” an empirical fact or a subjective opinion?
Subjective opinion
Enjoyment varies by personal preference and cannot be settled by measurement alone.
5. Reasoning that formulates a probable general pattern from repeated systematic observations is: Inductive or Circular?
Inductive
Inductive reasoning generalises from observed instances to a broader hypothesis.
6. Name the fallacy of deflecting criticism by accusing the critic of the same flaw (“you do it too”) instead of answering the point: Tu quoque or False dilemma?
Tu quoque
Tu quoque (“you also”) avoids the logical merit of the argument.
7. Name the fallacy in which the conclusion is already assumed inside one of the premises: Circular reasoning (begging the question) or Slippery slope?
Circular reasoning (begging the question)
Circular reasoning assumes the very claim it sets out to prove.
8. Reasoning that moves from a general rule (“All mammals have lungs”) to a specific case (“Dolphins are mammals, so dolphins have lungs”) is: Deductive or Anecdotal?
Deductive
Deductive reasoning applies a general premise to reach a guaranteed specific conclusion.
9. In logic, an argument whose conclusion MUST be true whenever all its premises are true is called: Valid or Fallacious?
Valid
Deductive validity means the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises.
10. Name the fallacy that assumes because Event B followed Event A, Event A must have caused Event B: Post hoc (false cause) or Ad hominem?
Post hoc (false cause)
Post hoc ergo propter hoc confuses chronological sequence with causation.
11. Which source is stronger evidence for a medical claim: a peer-reviewed randomised controlled trial, or a single anonymous online anecdote?
A peer-reviewed randomised controlled trial
Controlled trials with peer review minimise bias and random error.
12. Name the logical fallacy that attacks the person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself: Ad hominem or Straw man?
Ad hominem
An ad hominem fallacy targets the speaker’s character or motive instead of their reasoning.

12 questions · Seed 104729 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification