PRACTICE: Identify the reasons and conclusions in the following arguments.

Decide whether or not

they contain logical fallacies.
Example:
In a recent survey of university students, almost half reported spending more time doing club
activities than preparing for classes. Clearly, university students do not feel that the information they
are learning in their classes is valuable.

Reason: Half of students spend more time on club activities than preparation.
Conclusion: Students do not feel classes are valuable.
Mistake: false cause.
The evidence does not provide reasons why students spend more time on club activities. Some
students may feel that the contents of their classes are not valuable, but there are many other
reasons affecting how students choose to use their time.

1. The right of police officers to carry weapons became a controversial issue last week after the police
shot and killed an unarmed man. It can be argued that police officers require more training before
they can be allowed to do police work. Their current training has been shown to be inadequate.
Reason:
Conclusion:
Mistake:

2. U.S. military spending accounts for approximately 40 percent of total military expenditure in the
world, more than four times the amount of the next biggest country. This is why the United States is
the strongest military power in the world.
Reason:
Conclusion:
Mistake:

3.
Cycling is a less environmentally damaging method of transportation compared to driving. Employees
who cycle to work are more concerned about environmental matters than people who live a similar
distance from work but drive to their offices.
Reason:
Conclusion:
Mistake:

4. Many companies have a policy of encouraging traditional styles of gray and black clothing during
the autumn season. However, fashion designer Clare Hall believes that the pastel autumn colors are
also suitable for casual business environments. It is time for companies to change the limited view of
what constitutes appropriate business attire.
Reason:
Conclusion:
Mistake:

5. Many teachers in public schools are unhappy with their working conditions, so if the government
does not increase wages for teachers, many of them will quit and search for jobs in other fields.
Reason:
Conclusion:
Mistake:

6. A rise in student exam scores over the last few years demonstrates that these examinations have
become easier.
Reason:
Conclusion:
Mistake:
7. Windows is a superior computer operating system because is the biggest selling and most widely
used computer system in the world.
Reason:
Conclusion:
Mistake:

8. Four of the top 20 countries in Asia in terms of gross domestic product (GDP) are Japan, China,
Korea, and Malaysia. This shows how vital exports are to this region of the world.
Reason:
Conclusion:
Mistake:

9. As the possibility of illegal music downloading has increased, revenues from CD sales have dropped
steadily. Therefore, music companies could increase CD sales by convincing governments to introduce
measures to reduce levels of illegal downloading.
Reason:
Conclusion:
Mistake:

10. The U.N. has reported that industrialized countries waste 30 percent of edible food annually while
over one billion people living in poverty are unable to get enough to eat every day. Reducing food
waste will help alleviate the problem of the starving poor.
Reason:
Conclusion:
Mistake: