Test Bank for The Art of Reasoning: An Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking, 4th Edition

CHAPTER 2: Definitions MULTIPLE CHOICE 1. Which of the following does the text mention as a function of logical definitions? a. They reveal the many layers of metaphorical meaning in a concept. b. They allow the person who makes the definitions to have power over others. c. They reveal the relationships between one concept and others. d. They help to settle heated arguments over the meaning of a word. e. They indicate how we should feel about the concept being defined. ANS: C MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.1 TOP: I. Functions of a definition 2. Which of the following does the text mention as a function of logical definitions? a. They help us to sound intelligent. b. They provide confidence in dealing with a concept. c. They help to correct what the dictionaries get wrong. d. They tell us what is and what is not included in the concept. e. They help us to distinguish what is true from what is false. ANS: D MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.1 TOP: I. Functions of a definition 3. Which of the following does the text mention as a function of logical definitions? a. They provide us with a sense of how a concept has developed over time. b. They provide a list of paradigmatic examples for the concept. c. They tell us what part of speech the concept is. d. They provide a summary statement about the concept’s referents. e. They tell us how to use the word in a grammatically correct way. ANS: D MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.1 TOP: I. Functions of a definition 4. Will every concept have obvious sharp borders that separate it from other concepts? a. No, because every concept shares referents with all other concepts. b. No, because for some concepts, sharp borders either are not obvious or do not exist. c. Yes for concepts of visible things, but no for concepts of invisible things. d. Yes for concepts of invisible things, but no for concepts of visible things. e. Yes, such borders will always be obvious. ANS: B MSC: Conceptual DIF: Easy REF: 2.1 TOP: I. Functions of a definition 5. When we teach someone what a concept means by pointing out a physical example and saying, “things like that,” we are providing an ostensive definition, rather than a logical one. Is it possible to provide an ostensive definition for every concept? a. Yes, because every concept has physical examples. b. Yes, because that is how we all learned the language as babies. c. Yes, because everything with a logical definition also has an ostensive one. d. No, because people won’t know whether we are pointing at the thing or its color. e. No, because some concepts do not have physical examples at which to point. ANS: E DIF: Easy REF: 2.1 TOP: I. Functions of a definition MSC: Conceptual 6. The genus of a concept is: a. the person who came up with the concept b. a measure of how difficult the concept is to understand c. a broader category to which that concept belongs d. the best example of the concept e. any helpful example of the concept ANS: C MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.1 TOP: II.A.1. Genus 7. The differentia of a concept is/are: a. the best example of the concept b. any helpful example of the concept c. a measure of how broad the concept is d. the characteristic(s) that separate it from its genus e. the characteristic(s) that separate it from other species in its genus ANS: E MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.1 TOP: II.A.2. Differentia 8. What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? NutraSweet: an artificial sweetener that is not sugar a. It uses negative terms unnecessarily. d. It uses obscure language. b. It is too narrow. e. It has no genus. c. It uses metaphorical language. ANS: A DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 9. What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? bed: a piece of furniture a. It is circular. d. It uses metaphorical language. b. It has no genus. e. It has no differentia. c. It is too narrow. ANS: E DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 10. What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? moon: a large lump of rock a. It uses obscure language. d. It does not state the essential attributes. b. It is too narrow. e. It has no genus. c. It is circular. ANS: D DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 11. What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? gallon: the volume of matter required to fill a one-gallon jug a. It is too broad. d. It has no differentia. b. It uses obscure language. e. It uses metaphorical language. c. It is circular. ANS: C DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 12. What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? love: the music of life a. It uses metaphorical language. d. It has no differentia. b. It uses obscure language. e. It has no genus. c. It is circular. ANS: A DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 13. What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? motorcycle: a two-wheeled vehicle a. It is circular. d. It uses metaphorical language. b. It is too broad. e. It uses vague language. c. It has no genus. ANS: B DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 14. What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? lukewarm: the temperature at which something is heated enough a. It doesn’t state the essential attributes. d. It uses obscure language. b. It has no genus. e. It uses vague language. c. It has no differentia. ANS: E DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 15. What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? nose: a superficial protrusion harboring one terminus of the respiratory tract of a terrestrial vertebrate a. It is too broad. d. It uses vague language. b. It uses negative terms unnecessarily. e. It uses obscure language. c. It doesn’t state the essential attributes. ANS: E DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 16. What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? soup: a warm, fluid food item made from a tomato base a. It uses negative terms unnecessarily. d. It is circular. b. It has no differentia. e. It uses obscure language. c. It is too narrow. ANS: C DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 17. What is the most obvious way that the following definition violates the rules? prune: what you get when you dry a plum a. It has no genus. b. It is circular. c. It is too narrow. ANS: A DIF: Difficult TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions d. It uses metaphorical language. e. It uses negative terms unnecessarily. REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 18. Are all of the definitions in a typical dictionary logical definitions? a. Yes, because dictionary definitions are held to a very high standard. b. Yes, because they always include a genus and differentia. c. Yes, because logical definitions are the only kind of definition possible. d. No, because most dictionary definitions are circular or vague. e. No, because some dictionary definitions are not in terms of genus and differentia. ANS: E DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Conceptual 19. Can a definition violate more than one of the rules discussed in the chapter? a. Yes, because violating any rule would necessarily involve violating another. b. Yes, because every definition violates at least two rules. c. Yes, because a definition might be very poorly constructed. d. No, because the rules are all mutually exclusive. e. No, because a flawed definition is always flawed in exactly one way. ANS: C DIF: Medium TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Conceptual 20. Can a definition violate one of the rules and still be meaningful? a. No, since a violation of the rules would make the definition self-contradictory. b. No, since a violation of the rules would reduce the definition to complete nonsense. c. Yes, but only when the problem is that the definition is too narrow or too broad. d. Yes, because it might still contain helpful information about the concept. e. Yes, but only when the problem is that the definition lacks a genus. ANS: D DIF: Difficult TOP: II. Rules for logical definitions REF: 2.2 MSC: Conceptual 21. Every logical definition should include a(n) _____ and a(n) _____. a. genus; differentia d. genus; example b. differentia; example e. differentia; picture c. example; picture ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A. What a logical definition should include MSC: Factual 22. Which involves a higher level of abstraction, a definition’s genus or its differentia? a. genus d. whichever appears first b. differentia e. whichever appears second c. they are equally abstract ANS: A DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A. What a logical definition should include MSC: Conceptual 23. If a definition begins with “when” or “where,” this is often a sign that: a. it will be an excellent definition d. it will not include a genus b. it will be too broad c. it will be too narrow ANS: D MSC: Factual DIF: Easy e. it will be circular REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A.1. Genus 24. What is the genus in the following definition? A pen is a handheld writing utensil that writes with ink. a. pen d. writes b. handheld e. with ink c. writing utensil ANS: C MSC: Applied DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A.1. Genus 25. What is the genus in the following definition? The horizon is the line of separation between the sky and the earth. a. horizon d. earth b. sky e. There is no genus. c. line of separation ANS: C MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A.1. Genus 26. What is the genus in the following definition? Dancing is how we express our inner feelings with our bodies. a. dancing d. express b. inner feelings e. There is no genus. c. bodies ANS: E MSC: Applied DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A.1. Genus 27. A definition should have: a. as many genera (plural of genus) as possible b. one genus for each differentia c. one genus for each referent of the concept being defined d. exactly one genus e. no genus, if it can be avoided ANS: D MSC: Conceptual DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A.1. Genus 28. Does every definable concept have a genus? a. Yes. b. No, because no concept has a genus. c. No. That is why we must sometimes use “when” or “where” instead of a genus. d. No, because some definable concepts are too vague to belong to any genus. e. No, but every definable concept does have differentia. ANS: A MSC: Conceptual DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 29. What is the differentia of the following definition? TOP: II.A.1. Genus A piano is a type of instrument that is played by pressing keys. a. piano d. that b. type e. played by pressing keys c. type of instrument ANS: E MSC: Applied DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A.2. Differentia 30. What is/are the differentia of the following definition? A diocese is the geographical region under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of a bishop. a. diocese b. region c. jurisdiction d. geographical and under the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of a bishop e. There are no differentia. ANS: D MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A.2. Differentia 31. What is/are the differentia of the following definition? Rain is what falls from the clouds and makes the ground wet. a. rain b. falls from the clouds and makes the ground wet c. only falls from the clouds d. only makes the ground wet e. There are no differentia. ANS: B MSC: Applied DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A.2. Differentia 32. Can a definition have more than one differentia? a. Yes, because there can never be only one. b. Yes, and most do. c. Yes, but only if it has more than one genus. d. No, because it is never necessary to have more than one. e. No, because then the definition would define more than one concept. ANS: B MSC: Conceptual DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.A.2. Differentia 33. A definition should be neither too _____ nor too _____. a. broad; narrow d. wide; low b. broad; high e. low; narrow c. high; wide ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B. What a logical definition should not be MSC: Factual 34. Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? sodium: the 11th element in the periodic table of elements a. It depends on the identity of the person who is defining the word. b. too broad c. too narrow d. both too broad and too narrow e. neither too broad nor too narrow ANS: E DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B. What a logical definition should not be MSC: Applied 35. Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? spaghetti: a pasta that originated in Italy a. It depends on the identity of the person who is defining the word. b. too broad c. too narrow d. both too broad and too narrow e. neither too broad nor too narrow ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B. What a logical definition should not be MSC: Applied 36. Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? cat: a small, white, four-legged mammal a. It depends on the identity of the person who is defining the word. b. too broad c. too narrow d. both too broad and too narrow e. neither too broad nor too narrow ANS: D DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B. What a logical definition should not be MSC: Applied 37. Is the following definition too broad or too narrow? rectangle: a plane closed figure with four sides of equal length in which all angles are right angles a. it depends on the identity of the person who is defining the word. b. too broad c. too narrow d. both too broad and too narrow e. neither too broad nor too narrow ANS: C DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B. What a logical definition should not be MSC: Applied 38. Can a definition be both too broad and too narrow at the same time? a. No, because these are opposites. b. No, because if a concept has too many referents, it can’t also have too few. c. No, because if it is too broad, it will be a genus, and if too narrow, it will be a species. d. Yes, because it can both include referents incorrectly and exclude referents incorrectly. e. Yes, because all definitions that are too broad must also be too narrow. ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B. What a logical definition should not be MSC: Conceptual 39. If a definition is neither too broad nor too narrow, will all of the referents of the concept also be referents of the definition? a. Yes, and all of the referents of the definition will also be referents of the concept. b. Yes, but some of the referents of the definition will not be referents of the concept. c. Yes, but none of the referents of the definition will also be referents of the concept. d. No, because none will. e. No, although most will. ANS: A DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B. What a logical definition should not be MSC: Conceptual 40. A definition is too broad when: a. it fails to include things that are referents of the concept b. it is too wordy c. it includes things that are not referents of the concept d. it uses vague and obscure terms e. it is dumbed down so that everyone can understand it ANS: C MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B.1. Too broad 41. Which of the following definitions is too broad? a. A dog is the domesticated form of the grey wolf. b. An insect is an ant or beetle. c. Baghdad is the capital city of Iraq. d. Zeus is the ruler of the Greek gods. e. A fish is an animal that lives underwater. ANS: E MSC: Applied DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B.1. Too broad 42. If a definition is too broad, will all of the referents of the concept also be referents of the definition? a. Yes, always. b. Yes, unless the definition is also too narrow. c. Yes, but only if the definition is also too narrow. d. No, unless the definition is also too narrow. e. No. ANS: B MSC: Conceptual DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B.1. Too broad 43. A definition is too narrow when: a. it is only one person’s opinion b. it doesn’t say enough about the concept c. most people would disagree with it d. it includes things that are not referents of the concept e. it fails to include things that are referents of the concept ANS: E MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B.2. Too narrow 44. Which of the following definitions is too narrow? a. Paul McCartney is a member of the Beatles. b. Russian is the language most commonly spoken in Russia. c. Corn bread is bread that is made from corn. d. A bottle is a glass container that is used to store wine. e. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States of America. ANS: D MSC: Applied DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B.2. Too narrow 45. If a definition is too narrow, will all of the referents of the definition also be referents of the concept being defined? a. No. b. No, unless the definition is also too broad. c. Yes, always. d. Yes, unless the definition is also too broad. e. Yes, but only if the definition is also too broad. ANS: D MSC: Conceptual DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B.2. Too narrow 46. A counterexample is: a. the best example of a concept b. any helpful example of the concept c. a particular instance that proves a definition wrong d. a particular instance that proves a definition right e. an example that helps to count the strengths of a definition ANS: C DIF: Easy TOP: II.B.2.a. Counterexamples REF: 2.2 MSC: Factual 47. If we define humans as “religious animals,” which of the following would be a counterexample? a. a Muslim d. a priest b. an atheist e. a squirrel c. a Catholic ANS: B DIF: Easy TOP: II.B.2.a. Counterexamples REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 48. If we define a photograph as “a two-dimensional image of a person,” which of the following would be a counterexample? a. a three-dimensional image of a person b. a two-dimensional image of a cat c. a two-dimensional image of Ozzy Osbourne d. Ozzy Osbourne e. a photo album ANS: B DIF: Medium TOP: II.B.2.a. Counterexamples REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 49. If we define a rifle as “a handheld weapon,” which of the following would be a counterexample? a. a tank d. a feather b. a soldier e. a uniform c. a bow and arrow ANS: C DIF: Difficult TOP: II.B.2.a. Counterexamples REF: 2.2 MSC: Applied 50. Will there always be counterexamples when a definition is too broad or too narrow? a. Yes. b. Yes if it is too narrow, but no if it is too broad. c. Yes if it is too broad, but no if it is too narrow. d. No. e. It depends on whether the concept itself has real referents in the world. ANS: A DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.B.2.a. Counterexamples MSC: Conceptual 51. Counterexamples are used to show that a definition violates which rule? a. A logical definition requires a genus. b. A definition should not be circular. c. A definition should not use negative terms unnecessarily. d. A definition should not be too broad or too narrow. e. A definition should not use language that is obscure. ANS: D DIF: Medium TOP: II.B.2.a. Counterexamples REF: 2.2 MSC: Conceptual 52. A definition should include: a. the essential attributes of the concept b. all available information about the concept c. only one attribute of the concept d. the etymology of the word for the concept e. the esoteric attributes of the concept ANS: A DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.C. A definition should state the essential attributes MSC: Factual 53. The essential attributes of a concept are those that are: a. relatively superficial d. unfamiliar to most people b. fundamental e. easiest to understand c. familiar to most people ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.C. A definition should state the essential attributes MSC: Factual 54. Which of the following is the most essential attribute of the concept “heart”? a. its sound d. its life expectancy b. its color e. its smell c. its circulation of blood ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.C. A definition should state the essential attributes MSC: Applied 55. Which of the following is the most essential attribute of the concept “dish detergent?” a. viscous liquid d. pine-scented b. used to clean dishes e. creates bubbles on surface of water c. green ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.C. A definition should state the essential attributes MSC: Applied 56. Which of the following definitions most obviously fails to state any essential attributes? a. The Olympics is an international competitive sporting event. b. An airplane is a flying machine that is used for transportation. c. A regular octagon is a closed plane figure with eight equal sides and eight equal angles. d. An angel is a divine messenger. e. Cork is one of the major exports of Portugal. ANS: E DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.C. A definition should state the essential attributes MSC: Applied 57. Which of the following definitions most obviously fails to state any essential attributes? a. Venus is the second planet from the sun. b. Diamond is a crystalline, carbon-based mineral. c. Kiribati is an island nation in the South Pacific. d. The giant panda is the emblem of the World Wildlife Fund. e. Brackish water is water that is saltier than freshwater but less salty than seawater. ANS: D DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.C. A definition should state the essential attributes MSC: Applied 58. Is color ever an essential attribute? a. No, because the color of a thing is never fundamental to what it is. b. No, because you can always change the color of a thing without changing what it is. c. No, because color is always unimportant. d. Yes, because the color of a thing might be fundamental to what it is. e. Yes, because color is always an essential attribute. ANS: D DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.C. A definition should state the essential attributes MSC: Conceptual 59. Circular definitions are definitions that: a. include the word “circle” b. only mention the genus, but omit the differentia c. only mention the differentia, but omit the genus d. use concepts to define themselves e. are too broad and too narrow at the same time ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.D. A definition should not be circular MSC: Factual 60. Which of the following definitions is circular? a. rent: money paid to a landlord b. socks: clothing worn on the feet c. large: the attribute possessed by something that is big d. Scrabble: a word game played on a game board e. curtains: interior coverings for windows ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.D. A definition should not be circular MSC: Applied 61. Which of the following definitions is circular? a. leaf: the leafy part of a plant b. green: the color that appears between yellow and blue in a rainbow c. Frisbee: a flat, round disc that can be tossed from person to person d. orange: an orange-colored, small, round fruit e. wheat: a tall cereal grass, often cultivated for human consumption ANS: A DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.D. A definition should not be circular MSC: Applied 62. Which of the following definitions is circular? a. near: having the property of being only a small distance away b. swimming: propelling oneself through water through controlled movement of one’s appendages c. apex: a zenith or pinnacle d. enteritis: swelling of the small intestine e. couch: a piece of furniture designed for seating more than one person at a time ANS: C DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.D. A definition should not be circular MSC: Applied 63. Does a circular definition always lack a genus, or does it always lack a differentia? a. genus b. differentia c. It always lacks both. d. It never lacks either. e. Circularity has nothing to do with lacking a genus or differentia. ANS: E DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.D. A definition should not be circular MSC: Conceptual 64. Which of the following best expresses the rule about using negative terms in definitions? a. No definition should ever have any negative terms in it. b. Every definition should have at least one negative term so that we know what is excluded from it. c. Negative terms are usually okay, but should be avoided if they are confusing. d. Negative terms are usually to be avoided, but are okay when defining inherently negative concepts. e. A definition should never have two negative terms, since that would be a double negative. ANS: D DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.E. A definition should not use negative terms unnecessarily MSC: Factual 65. Which of the following definitions violates the rule against using negative terms? a. Raw meat is meat that is uncooked. b. An automobile is a horseless carriage. c. Swiss cheese is a type of cheese with holes in it. d. A free item is an item for which you don’t have to pay. e. A convertible is a car with a roof that can be retracted or removed. ANS: B DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.E. A definition should not use negative terms unnecessarily MSC: Applied 66. Which of the following definitions uses negative terms in an acceptable way? a. A fluorescent light is a light without a tungsten filament. b. A shark is a fish without scales. c. A bachelor is a man who is unmarried. d. A pine tree is a tree with no leaves. e. An enemy is someone who doesn’t send you a birthday card. ANS: C DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.E. A definition should not use negative terms unnecessarily MSC: Applied 67. Which of the following definitions violates the rule against using negative terms? a. A clean driving record is a driving record with no violations listed. b. Timelessness is the property of not being associated with any particular time. c. A girl is a child who is not a boy. d. Absence is the property of not being present. e. Junk food is food that is not good for you. ANS: C DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.E. A definition should not use negative terms unnecessarily MSC: Applied 68. Which of the following definitions uses negative terms in an acceptable way? a. A whale is an animal that lives in the water but is not a fish. b. A team is a group of individuals who are not simply playing for their own benefit. c. A lethargic person is a person who does not run or jog. d. A silent film is a film without sound. e. A king is a man who is not a peasant. ANS: D DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.E. A definition should not use negative terms unnecessarily MSC: Applied 69. Negative terms are usually only necessary when the concept being defined: a. has no essential attributes. d. belongs to a very small genus. b. is a negative concept. e. is a noun. c. belongs to a very large genus. ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.E. A definition should not use negative terms unnecessarily MSC: Conceptual 70. The problem with vague, obscure, or metaphorical definitions is that: a. they are too wordy b. they are too precise to allow for flexibility c. they provide too much information d. they require too much imagination e. they are unclear ANS: E DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F. Kinds of language a definition should not include MSC: Factual 71. A vague definition is one that: a. doesn’t give any precise criterion for membership in the concept b. provides a precise criterion for membership in the concept c. contains too much information to be useful d. everyone can understand easily e. only experts can understand easily ANS: A MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.1. Vague 72. Which of the following definitions is vague? a. An adult is a person who is of age. b. A bus driver is someone who drives a bus. c. A desert is somewhere that gets less than 250 millimeters of rain per year. d. A paperweight is something used to keep papers from blowing away. e. Meat is food consisting of animal flesh. ANS: A MSC: Applied DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.1. Vague 73. If a concept itself is vague, can it still have a logical definition? a. No, because logical definitions don’t allow for vagueness. b. No, because it would be impossible to find the right genus for a vague concept. c. Yes, but the definition would also be vague. d. Yes, but the definition would end up being circular. e. Yes, but the definition would end up being too broad or too narrow. ANS: C MSC: Conceptual DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.1. Vague 74. Is a definition too vague if it uses the words “sometimes,” “something,” or “somewhere”? a. Any of those three would make it too vague. b. Only “sometimes” would make it too vague. c. Only “something” would make it too vague. d. Only “somewhere” would make it too vague. e. It would depend on how those words are being used and on the concept being defined. ANS: E MSC: Conceptual DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.1. Vague 75. An obscure definition is one that: a. uses poetic imagery and flowery language without saying anything literal about the concept being defined b. uses abstract or technical language that is more difficult to understand than the concept itself c. contains too much information to be useful d. includes several useful examples of the concept being defined e. doesn’t include any examples of the concept being defined ANS: B MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.2. Obscure 76. Which of the following definitions is obscure? a. Death is when a living thing stops living. b. Death is the end of life. c. Death is when someone kicks the bucket. d. Death is the cessation of one’s participation in finitude. e. Death is when someone’s brain activity ends. ANS: D MSC: Applied DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.2. Obscure 77. Which of the following definitions is obscure? a. Drinking is oral consumption of a fluid substance. b. A vegan is a vegetarian who does not eat any animal products at all. c. A pony is a short horse. d. A cane is a stick, or sticklike device, which a person uses to maintain his/her balance. e. Trepanning is drilling a hole in the skull down to the dura mater to relieve intracranial pressure. ANS: A MSC: Applied DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.2. Obscure 78. If a definition uses the word “antidisestablishmentarianism,” then is the definition too obscure? a. b. c. d. e. Only if the concept being defined is less obscure than antidisestablishmentarianism. Only if the concept being defined is more obscure than antidisestablishmentarianism. Only if the concept being defined is very complex. Definitely yes. Definitely no. ANS: A MSC: Conceptual DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.2. Obscure 79. A metaphorical definition is one that: a. has too many differentia b. only gives the literal meaning of the word, but leaves out important connotations c. makes you feel good about the word without telling you what it means d. includes abstract or technical terms e. doesn’t convey the literal meaning of the concept, but only an analogy ANS: E MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.3. Metaphorical 80. Which of the following definitions is metaphorical? a. Life is a gift from God. b. Life is what happens while you’re making other plans. c. Life is a biological process. d. Life is a cabaret. e. Life is what animals have before they die. ANS: D MSC: Applied DIF: Easy REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.3. Metaphorical 81. Which of the following definitions is metaphorical? a. Coconut milk is the fluid found in the middle of a coconut. b. To attempt something is to take a stab at it. c. The eye of a needle is a small hole through which the needle is threaded. d. Barbarians are people who are uncivilized. e. Schadenfreude is the shameful joy we derive from the misfortune of others. ANS: B MSC: Applied DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.3. Metaphorical 82. Could the same word be metaphorical in one definition and literal in another? a. Yes, because no word could be used metaphorically in two different ways. b. Yes, because no word could be used literally in two different ways. c. Yes, because the word could be used differently between the two definitions. d. No, because every word is either metaphorical or literal. e. No, because then one of the definitions would not be a good definition. ANS: C MSC: Conceptual DIF: Medium REF: 2.2 TOP: II.F.3. Metaphorical 83. Is it possible to violate any of the rules for definitions when choosing a genus? a. No, because all rule violations occur when choosing the differentia. b. No, because no matter how broad the genus, the definition can be made good by providing enough differentia. c. No, because the rules only tell us that a genus is required, but say nothing about what the genus must be. d. Yes, because all rule violations involve choosing the wrong genus. e. Yes, because, for example, the genus could make the definition circular. ANS: E MSC: Conceptual DIF: Difficult REF: 2.2 TOP: III.A. Choosing a genus 84. A stipulative definition is a definition that: a. defines a familiar word in a familiar way b. introduces a word by specifying that it shall mean such and such c. clarifies the meaning of the word by providing a long list of concrete examples d. provides a general idea of a word’s meaning without being very precise e. violates more than one of the rules for definitions ANS: B MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.3 TOP: III. Constructing definitions 85. Which of the following is a stipulative definition? a. Binge drinking is drinking like that guy over there at the bar. b. Binge drinking is drinking too much. c. Binge drinking, in this study, is consuming more than three drinks within an hour. d. Binge drinking is drinking like a fish. e. Binge drinking is drinking more than you can handle. ANS: C MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III. Constructing definitions 86. Which of the following is a stipulative definition? a. Ireland is the second largest of the British Isles. b. Being overweight means having a body mass index higher than 25. c. Polygamy is marriage to more than one wife. d. A pentathlon is an athletic competition comprising five events. e. Renal failure is the eighth leading cause of death in the United States. ANS: B MSC: Applied DIF: Difficult REF: 2.3 TOP: III. Constructing definitions 87. Is it possible for a stipulative definition to be too broad or too narrow? a. No, it can never be too broad or too narrow. b. Yes, it can be too broad, but not too narrow. c. Yes, it can be too narrow, but not too broad. d. Yes, it can be either too broad or too narrow, but not both. e. Yes, it can be both too broad and too narrow. ANS: A MSC: Conceptual DIF: Easy REF: 2.3 TOP: III. Constructing definitions 88. When dealing with a concept about which there is controversy, it is usually best to: a. provide several definitions that present different perspectives b. provide a definition that is as neutral as possible c. provide a definition that endorses your own thinking on the subject d. provide a definition that endorses the majority’s thinking on the subject e. avoid defining the concept until there is general agreement about it ANS: B MSC: Conceptual DIF: Easy REF: 2.3 TOP: III. Constructing definitions 89. A good definition should apply principally to: a. every possible meaning of a word b. all metaphorical uses of a word c. most metaphorical uses of a word d. both metaphorical and literal uses of a word e. the literal meaning of the word ANS: E MSC: Conceptual DIF: Easy REF: 2.3 TOP: III. Constructing definitions 90. Are stipulative definitions a type of logical definition? a. Yes, because they are composed of a genus and differentia. b. Yes, because they provide a sense of what a word means. c. No, because they lack a genus. d. No, because they lack differentia. e. No, because they give a word more precision than it has in everyday language. ANS: A MSC: Conceptual DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III. Constructing definitions 91. When constructing a definition, it is usually easiest/best to start by: a. making a list of referents for the concept b. making a list of other concepts that are similar c. determining the genus d. determining the differentia e. making a list of words that must be avoided to prevent circularity ANS: C MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.3 TOP: III.A. Choosing a genus 92. When choosing a genus for a definition, one must consider: a. the word’s language of origin b. the number of syllables (for efficiency) c. how many referents the concept has d. what level of abstraction is appropriate e. whatever homonyms the word might have ANS: D MSC: Factual DIF: Easy REF: 2.3 TOP: III.A. Choosing a genus 93. Which of the following would be the best genus for a definition of coin? a. physical object d. disk b. money e. collectible item c. metal object ANS: B MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III.A. Choosing a genus 94. Which of the following definitions lacks a genus? a. A subway is an underground train. b. Drowning is when someone is asphyxiated in water. c. Golf is a sport in which the goal is to sink a ball in a hole by hitting it with a club. d. A joke is a humorous story. e. A judge is the official who presides at a court proceeding. ANS: B DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III.A. Choosing a genus MSC: Applied 95. Which of the following would be the best genus for a definition of ice cream? a. food d. compound b. consumable e. dessert c. substance ANS: E MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III.A. Choosing a genus 96. Which of the following would be the best genus for a definition of ground pepper? a. organism d. cayenne b. plant e. black c. spice ANS: C MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III.A. Choosing a genus 97. Which of the following would be the best genus for a definition of ice hockey? a. activity d. sport b. pastime e. event c. Canadian ANS: D MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III.A. Choosing a genus 98. When one is defining a concept: a. there will only be one possible genus, which is why it is determined first b. it doesn’t matter what genus is chosen, as long as the rest of the definition is consistent with it c. there might be many choices of genus from which to choose d. the genus should always include the word “where” or the word “when” e. the genus should be chosen last ANS: C MSC: Conceptual DIF: Easy REF: 2.3 TOP: III.A. Choosing a genus 99. When choosing the genus for a definition, one should: a. always choose the broadest possible genus b. always choose the narrowest possible genus c. never choose the broadest possible genus d. never choose the narrowest possible genus e. choose whatever genus is appropriate to the essential attributes of the concept ANS: E MSC: Conceptual DIF: Easy REF: 2.3 TOP: III.A. Choosing a genus 100. Shown below is a concept to define, followed by the genus that has been selected for the definition. Please choose the differentia that best COMPLETES the definition. (The definition might not be perfect, but choose the BEST one.) rainbow: meteorological phenomenon a. occurs after rain b. more common in some regions than in others c. spectrum of light in the sky d. only observed during daylight hours e. mentioned in a song from The Wizard of Oz ANS: C MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III.B. Choosing differentia 101. Shown below is a concept to define, followed by the genus that has been selected for the definition. Please choose the differentia that best COMPLETES the definition. (The definition might not be perfect, but choose the BEST one.) door: architectural feature a. has a door knob d. used to enter or to leave a room b. usually 7 feet high e. comes in several varieties c. swivels on hinges ANS: D MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III.B. Choosing differentia 102. Shown below is a concept to define, followed by the genus that has been selected for the definition. Please choose the differentia that best COMPLETES the definition. (The definition might not be perfect, but choose the BEST one.) camera: a device a. used to take pictures b. handheld c. zoom lens d. consists of plastic, glass and metal components e. digital ANS: A MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III.B. Choosing differentia 103. Shown below is a concept to define, followed by the genus that has been selected for the definition. Please choose the differentia that best COMPLETES the definition. (The definition might not be perfect, but choose the BEST one.) tricycle: a vehicle a. used by small children d. seats only one rider b. has three wheels e. invented in the 18th century c. moves very slowly ANS: B MSC: Applied DIF: Medium REF: 2.3 TOP: III.B. Choosing differentia 104. When choosing differentia, one should include: a. every possible differentia b. as many differentia as possible c. enough essential differentia to distinguish referents of the concept from referents of other concepts in the same genus d. enough essential differentia to include the referents of every other concept in the same genus e. as few differentia as possible ANS: C MSC: Conceptual DIF: Easy REF: 2.3 TOP: III.B. Choosing differentia 105. Having too many differentia could make a definition __________, whereas having too few differentia could make it __________. a. obscure; vague b. circular; too narrow c. circular; too broad ANS: E MSC: Conceptual DIF: Medium d. too broad; vague e. too narrow; too broad REF: 2.3 TOP: III.B. Choosing differentia