Critical Reasoning Practice Questions

1. A company's sales increased by 20% this quarter compared to the same quarter last year. However, its profits decreased by 5% over the same period. Which of the following, if true, best explains this apparent paradox?

The company lowered its prices to attract more customers

The company's marketing expenses remained constant

The overall market for the company's products grew by 25%

The company introduced several new product lines

2. All mammals are warm-blooded. All warm-blooded animals have a four-chambered heart. Therefore, all animals with a four-chambered heart are mammals. Which of the following best describes the logical flaw in this argument?

False dichotomy

Circular reasoning

Hasty generalization

Fallacy of the converse

3. A company decides to implement a four-day workweek to improve employee satisfaction and productivity. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the effectiveness of this decision?

Employees express enthusiasm for the new schedule

Other companies have reported increased productivity with a four-day workweek

The company's clients expect availability five days a week

The four-day workweek will result in longer working hours on workdays

4. A study found that cities with more libraries have lower crime rates. Therefore, building more libraries will reduce crime. Which of the following best describes the flaw in this reasoning?

Confusing correlation with causation

Hasty generalization

Appeal to emotion

False analogy

5. A politician argues: "We must increase military spending to ensure our national security. Those who oppose this increase are putting our country at risk." This argument commits which of the following fallacies?

Ad hominem

False dichotomy

Slippery slope

Appeal to fear

6. A company's HR department noticed that employees who take regular breaks are more productive than those who work continuously. They conclude that taking breaks increases productivity. Which of the following, if true, most weakens this conclusion?

Employees who take regular breaks are generally more satisfied with their jobs

The most productive employees tend to be those who are naturally inclined to manage their time well, including taking regular breaks

The company recently implemented a policy encouraging regular breaks

Productivity is measured by the quality of work, not just the quantity

7. A city planner proposes implementing a congestion charge for driving in the city center during peak hours to reduce traffic. Which of the following, if true, would most strengthen the argument for this proposal?

Similar charges in other cities have led to a 20% reduction in peak hour traffic

The proposed charge would generate significant revenue for the city

Public transportation in the city is already operating at full capacity

Some businesses in the city center oppose the charge, fearing it will reduce customer traffic

8. A nutritionist claims that consuming probiotics improves digestive health. In a study, participants who consumed probiotic yogurt reported fewer digestive issues than those who didn't. Which of the following best describes a flaw in this reasoning?

It assumes correlation implies causation

It relies on subjective self-reporting

It doesn't consider long-term effects

It fails to account for other dietary factors

9. A study found that people who meditate regularly report lower levels of stress. Therefore, meditation reduces stress. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken this conclusion?

People who meditate tend to have other stress-reducing habits

The study relied on self-reported stress levels

Some participants dropped out of the study before its completion

The study was conducted over a short period of time

10. A company claims its new diet pill leads to significant weight loss. In a study, participants who took the pill lost an average of 10 pounds over three months. Which of the following, if true, would most weaken the company's claim?

Some participants reported minor side effects

The study did not include a control group

Participants were also advised to exercise regularly and eat a balanced diet

The weight loss varied greatly among participants