PHIL 1010
EXERCISES FOR 1.1 A, C-E
NAME _____________________________
Circle the correct response.
Exercise 1.1 A – Indicate whether the following sentences express a statement or not.
3. The earth revolves around the sun.
Statement
Not a statement.
9. How long do you think it will rain?
Statement
Not a statement.
10. Go Tigers!
Statement
Not a statement.
Exercise 1.1 C - How many statements are found in each of the following sentences?
9. “[A]sk not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”
(Kennedy 1961)
0
1
2
3
4
>4
10. “The Cherokees believed that they had a sacred duty to avenge the deaths of fallen
comrades, and so war parties formed quickly following a death.” (Perdue 2005, 3)
0
1
2
3
4
>4
13. “[W]hile government should not be in the business of limiting speech, an institution [such as
a university] should have the freedom to restrict the speech of anyone at any time who
utilizes resources within the jurisdiction of [the] institution.” (Shermer 2000, 13)
0
1
2
3
4
>4
Exercise 1.1 D – Indicate whether the following sentences are likely or not likely to be the
premise of any argument.
3. Hang-gliding is more dangerous than walking on a beach.
Likely to be a premise.
Not likely to be a premise.
9. Abortion should be legal.
Likely to be a premise.
Not likely to be a premise.
10. Abortion should be illegal
Likely to be a premise.
Not likely to be a premise.
Exercise 1.1 E - Indicate whether the following sentences are likely or not likely to be the
conclusion of an argument.
3. Thomas Jefferson was the best American President in history.
Likely to be a conclusion.
Not likely to be a conclusion.
9. Elementary students should learn a foreign language.
Likely to be a conclusion.
Not likely to be a conclusion.
15. “The Cherokees believed that they had a sacred duty to avenge the deaths of fallen
comrades.” (Perdue 2005, 3)
Likely to be a conclusion.
Not likely to be a conclusion.
PHIL 1010
EXERCISES FOR 1.2 B & 1.3
NAME _____________________________
Bubble in the correct response.
Exercise 1.2 B
In each of the following passages: (a) determine whether or not an argument is present,
(b) if an argument is present, identify the premises and the conclusion.
1. I don’t like Facebook. And I can’t stand Twitter either.
A.  No argument.
B.  Argument. Premise: I don’t like Facebook. Conclusion: I don’t like Twitter.
C.  Argument. Premise: I don’t like Twitter. Conclusion: I don’t like Facebook.
D.  None of the above.
3. I’ve seen 1,000 swans, and all of them are white. Therefore, most swans are white.
A.  No argument.
B.  Argument. Premise: Most swans are white.
Conclusion: I’ve see 1,000 swans and all of them are white.
C.  Argument. Premises: I’ve see 1,000 swans and all of them are white.
Conclusion: Most swans are white.
D.  None of the above.
7. You say that all famous philosophers are men. But look at Mary Wollstonecraft—she’s a
famous philosopher, so some famous philosophers are women.
A.  No argument.
B.  Argument. Premise: Some famous philosophers are women.
Conclusion: Mary Wollstonecraft was a woman and a famous philosopher.
C.  Argument. Premises: Mary Wollstonecraft was a woman and a famous philosopher.
Conclusion: Some famous philosophers are women.
D.  None of the above.
Exercise 1.3
In each of the following passages: (a) determine whether or not an argument is present, (b) if an
argument is present, identify the premises and the conclusion.
3. The car slid off the road because the road was wet and the car’s tires were improperly inflated.
A.  No argument.
B.  Argument. Premise: The car slid off the road.
Conclusion: The road was wet and the car’s tires were improperly inflated.
C.  Argument. Premises: The road was wet and the car’s tires were improperly inflated.
Conclusion: The car slid off the road.
D.  None of the above.
6. Murata has more experience and better communication skills than Johnson. We should hire
Murata.
A.  No argument.
B.  Argument. Premise: We should hire Murata.
Conclusion: Murata has more experience and better communication skills
than Johnson.
C.  Argument. Premises: Murata has more experience and better communication skills
than Johnson.
Conclusion: We should hire Murata.
D.  None of the above.
7. In 2010, a survey of 1,000 college students found that 87% of them preferred instant
messaging to email. The vast majority of college students prefer instant messaging to email.
A.  No argument.
B.  Argument. Premise: A survey of 1,000 college students found that 87% prefer IM to
email.
Conclusion: The vast majority of college student prefer IM to email.
C.  Argument. Premise: The vast majority of college student prefer IM to email.
Conclusion: A survey of 1,000 college students found that 87% prefer IM
to email.
D.  None of the above.