Logical Reasoning Flashcards
If not x, then not y
Inverse
If x, then y
Premise, conclusion
If y, then x
Converse
If not y, then not x
Contrapositive
What did the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in late 1995?
It detected the ‘fingerprint’ of human activity as a contributor to the warming of the earth’s atmosphere
The report attributed warming directly to increasing carbon dioxide from fossil fuel burning.
What is a major claim made in Passage B regarding the extreme view of global warming?
It contains exaggerations and misstatements, leading to unreasonable environmental policies
This view suggests catastrophic consequences without fully acknowledging uncertainties.
In Passage B, what is suggested as a potential outcome of rising sea levels?
Melting of polar ice caps and the addition of more water to oceans
However, it also mentions the possibility of Antarctic ice sheets growing.
What natural events does Passage B argue are more important than human activity in affecting global climate?
- The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo
- El Niño
- Variations in the sun’s radiation
- Changes in the earth’s orbit
Passage B emphasizes that climate variability has always existed.
The authors of the two passages would be most likely to disagree over which topic?
The extent to which natural climate variability is responsible for global warming
Passage A attributes more responsibility to human activity, while Passage B emphasizes natural factors.
What central question is addressed in both passages?
To what extent can global warming be attributed to human activity?
This question highlights the debate between human and natural influences on climate change.
How does Passage A’s argument relate to Passage B’s argument?
Passage A warns about effects of recent phenomena, while Passage B argues that inferences based on those phenomena are unfounded
This indicates a fundamental disagreement in their interpretations of climate data.
Which consequence of global warming is mentioned in Passage B but not in Passage A?
An increase in the size of the Antarctic ice sheet
This highlights the complexity of climate change impacts.
Fill in the blank: Most serious students are ______ students.
happy
This statement establishes a correlation between serious students and their happiness.
If all the apples are ripe, how many apples are ripe?
100 apples
This illustrates a clear conclusion based on the premise.
What logical reasoning can be inferred from the premise ‘If X, then Y’?
If not Y, then not X
This is the contrapositive, which is always true.
Which statement can be inferred from ‘Most serious students are happy students, and most serious students go to graduate school’?
Some happy students are overworked
This follows from the premise that all graduate students are overworked.
The argument about societal rules implies that violating rules leads to ______.
chaos
This conclusion connects rule enforcement to societal moral guidance.
What is the criticism about the argument regarding moral guidance?
It takes for granted that a society will avoid chaos as long as none of its explicit rules are routinely violated with impunity
This overlooks other factors that could lead to chaos.
What event occurred in January 1995 involving the Larsen ice shelf?
A vast section of ice broke off the Larsen ice shelf in Antarctica
This event was a significant indicator of climate change linked to a regional warming trend.
What are some symptoms of serious climate changes mentioned?
- More intense storms
- Prolonged droughts
- Extended heat waves
- Record flooding
These symptoms have been emerging around the world for several years.
According to scientific estimates, what is the predicted sea-level rise due to global warming within the next century?
3 feet (1 meter)
Such a rise could submerge vast coastal areas with potentially irreversible consequences.
What did the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report in late 1995?
It detected the ‘fingerprint’ of human activity as a contributor to the warming of the earth’s atmosphere
This report established that global warming can no longer be attributed solely to natural climate variability.
What is the extreme view of global warming mentioned in Passage B?
It contains facts but also exaggerations and misstatements, resulting in unreasonable environmental policies
This view has developed over the past two decades.
