Logical Reasoning

PT130 · S4 · Q14 Editorial: A recent survey shows

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Editorial: A recent survey shows that 77 percent of people feel that crime is increasing and that 87 percent feel the judicial system should be handing out tougher sentences.

Evidence

A recent survey shows that 77 percent of people feel that crime is increasing.

The survey also showed that 87 percent feel the judicial system should be handing out tougher sentences.

Conclusion

Therefore, the government must firmly address the rising crime rate.

Evaluate

The argument assumes that because people believe the crime rate has increased, that it has actually increased.

14.

The reasoning in the editorial's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that the argument

  1. appeals to survey results that

    Unsupported

    The survey results are not inconsistent.

    4% picked this

  2. presumes, without providing justification, that

    Too Weak

    The argument does not actually establish that criminals are being treated leniently.

    9% picked this

  3. fails to consider whether other

    Out of Scope

    The argument is about the case today and so surveys that indicate public opinion from over the years is not relevant to the argument.

    2% picked this

  4. Correct

    fails to distinguish between the

    Why this is right

    This points out that the argument appeals to opinion to support a conclusion about what is in fact the case.

    Skill tested: Flaw · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    83% picked this

  5. presumes, without providing justification, that

    Too Strong

    The argument does not rank order the means of alleviating the crime problem. So long as tougher sentencing is effective, it need not be the most effective means.

    2% picked this

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