Types of Reasoning

When a jury hears evidence in a court case and must decide which side of the case provided the best explanation for what happened.

• Inductive

• Abductive

• Deductive

Which type of reasoning is being used in the following statement? "Since all citizens of the United States have the right to vote, and women are citizens, women should have the right to vote."

• Deductive Reasoning

• Inductive Reasoning

• Abductive Reasoning

• None of the above

Consider this reasoning: Several speeches advocating for women's suffrage in the early 1900s persuaded large audiences. Therefore, persuasive speeches are an effective way to promote political change. What type of reasoning is this?

• Deductive Reasoning

• Inductive Reasoning

• Abductive Reasoning

• None of the above

Which of the following is an example of abductive reasoning?

• Since all birds can fly and a penguin is a bird, then penguins can fly.

• Observing that your plant's leaves are drooping and concluding it might need water because you haven't watered it in days.

• All mammals have vertebrates; therefore, dogs have vertebrates.

• Drawing a conclusion from a specific experience that rainy days make you feel tired.

If a student found that their history textbook and two primary source documents all state that Susan B. Anthony was a key figure in the women's suffrage movement, and they conclude she likely played a significant role, this reasoning is:

• Deductive Reasoning

• Inductive Reasoning

• Abductive Reasoning

• None of the above

Which of the following best describes inductive reasoning?

• Drawing a specific conclusion from a general statement

• Making a generalization based on specific observations

• Assuming a conclusion without evidence

• Using emotional appeal to persuade

Answer explanation

Inductive reasoning involves making a generalization based on specific observations. This means drawing broader conclusions from particular instances, which is accurately described by the correct choice.

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DOK Level 1: Recall

Which of the following is an example of deductive reasoning?

• All birds can fly. A penguin is a bird. Therefore, a penguin can fly.

• All mammals have lungs. A whale is a mammal. Therefore, a whale has lungs.

• Some dogs are brown. My dog is brown. Therefore, all dogs are brown.

• I saw a swan and it was white. Therefore, all swans are white.

Answer explanation

The correct choice demonstrates deductive reasoning by applying a general rule (all mammals have lungs) to a specific case (a whale is a mammal), leading to a valid conclusion (a whale has lungs).

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Identify the reasoning type: "The sun has risen in the east every day so far, so it will rise in the east tomorrow."

• Deductive reasoning

• Inductive reasoning

• Abductive reasoning

• Emotional reasoning

Answer explanation

This reasoning is inductive because it draws a general conclusion based on specific observations (the sun rising in the east every day) to predict a future event (it will rise in the east tomorrow).

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DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Analyze the argument: "The grass is wet, so it must have rained." What type of reasoning is used?

• Inductive reasoning

• Deductive reasoning

• Abductive reasoning

• Circular reasoning

Answer explanation

The argument uses abductive reasoning, which infers the best explanation for an observation. Here, the wet grass suggests rain as the most likely cause, though other explanations (like sprinklers) are possible.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking

Consider the argument: "If it is snowing, then it is cold. It is snowing. Therefore, it is cold." What type of reasoning is this?

• Inductive reasoning

• Deductive reasoning

• Abductive reasoning

• Emotional reasoning

Answer explanation

The argument follows a logical structure: if 'A' (it is snowing) is true, then 'B' (it is cold) must also be true. This is characteristic of deductive reasoning, where a conclusion is drawn from general premises.

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DOK Level 3: Strategic Thinking