PHIL 347 Week 3 Checkpoint Quiz | 2026/2027
PHIL 347 CRITICAL REASONING
Week 3 Checkpoint Quiz
Questions & Answers | 100% Verified Solutions
2026/2027 Academic Cycle | Chamberlain University
Page 1
, PHIL 347 Week 3 Checkpoint Quiz | 2026/2027
Section 1: Deductive vs. Inductive Arguments
This section assesses your ability to distinguish between deductive and inductive arguments, identify
indicator words, and understand the fundamental logical structure of each argument type.
Question 1
Which of the following best describes a deductive argument?
A. The conclusion probably follows from the premises
B. The conclusion necessarily follows from the premises
C. The premises provide some evidence for the conclusion
D. The argument contains at least one emotional appeal
Correct Answer: B. The conclusion necessarily follows from the premises
Rationale: A deductive argument is one in which the conclusion is intended to follow necessarily from
the premises. If the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. This is the defining characteristic
that distinguishes deductive reasoning from inductive reasoning, where the conclusion only probably
follows.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes an inductive argument?
A. The conclusion necessarily follows from the premises
B. The conclusion is guaranteed to be true if premises are true
C. The conclusion probably follows from the premises
D. The argument contains no premises
Correct Answer: C. The conclusion probably follows from the premises
Rationale: An inductive argument is one in which the premises are intended to provide probable
support for the conclusion. Unlike deductive arguments, inductive arguments do not guarantee the truth
of the conclusion even if all premises are true. Instead, they establish that the conclusion is likely or
probable.
Question 3
Which of the following is a deductive indicator word?
A. Probably
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, PHIL 347 Week 3 Checkpoint Quiz | 2026/2027
B. Likely
C. Necessarily
D. It is reasonable to conclude
Correct Answer: C. Necessarily
Rationale: Deductive indicator words signal that the arguer intends the conclusion to follow
necessarily from the premises. Common deductive indicators include 'necessarily,' 'certainly,'
'absolutely,' 'definitely,' and 'it must be the case that.' These words indicate no room for doubt in the
logical connection.
Question 4
Which of the following is an inductive indicator word?
A. Certainly
B. Absolutely
C. Necessarily
D. Likely
Correct Answer: D. Likely
Rationale: Inductive indicator words signal that the arguer intends the conclusion to follow probably
rather than necessarily from the premises. Common inductive indicators include 'probably,' 'likely,' 'it is
reasonable to conclude,' and 'the evidence suggests.' These terms acknowledge the conclusion could
potentially be false.
Question 5
"All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal." This argument is:
A. Inductive
B. Deductive
C. Neither deductive nor inductive
D. Both deductive and inductive
Correct Answer: B. Deductive
Rationale: This is a classic deductive argument, specifically a categorical syllogism. The conclusion
necessarily follows from the premises: if all humans are mortal and Socrates is human, it is impossible
for Socrates not to be mortal. The truth of the premises guarantees the truth of the conclusion.
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, PHIL 347 Week 3 Checkpoint Quiz | 2026/2027
Question 6
"Most students who attend class regularly pass the course. Maria attends class regularly. Therefore, Maria
will probably pass the course." This argument is:
A. Deductive
B. Inductive
C. Invalid
D. Unsound
Correct Answer: B. Inductive
Rationale: This is an inductive argument because the conclusion only probably follows from the
premises. The use of 'most' and 'probably' indicates the argument does not guarantee the conclusion.
Maria might attend class regularly and still fail for other reasons.
Question 7
The key difference between deductive and inductive arguments is:
A. The number of premises used
B. Whether the conclusion is intended to follow necessarily or probably
C. The length of the argument
D. Whether the argument contains emotional language
Correct Answer: B. Whether the conclusion is intended to follow necessarily or probably
Rationale: The fundamental distinction lies in the relationship between premises and conclusion. In a
deductive argument, the conclusion is intended to follow necessarily. In an inductive argument, the
conclusion is intended to follow probably. The two categories are mutually exclusive.
Question 8
"It is certain that if the temperature drops below freezing, the water will freeze." The phrase "it is certain"
indicates this is a(n):
A. Inductive argument
B. Deductive argument
C. Fallacious argument
D. Analogical argument
Correct Answer: B. Deductive argument
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PHIL 347 CRITICAL REASONING
Week 3 Checkpoint Quiz
Questions & Answers | 100% Verified Solutions
2026/2027 Academic Cycle | Chamberlain University
Page 1
, PHIL 347 Week 3 Checkpoint Quiz | 2026/2027
Section 1: Deductive vs. Inductive Arguments
This section assesses your ability to distinguish between deductive and inductive arguments, identify
indicator words, and understand the fundamental logical structure of each argument type.
Question 1
Which of the following best describes a deductive argument?
A. The conclusion probably follows from the premises
B. The conclusion necessarily follows from the premises
C. The premises provide some evidence for the conclusion
D. The argument contains at least one emotional appeal
Correct Answer: B. The conclusion necessarily follows from the premises
Rationale: A deductive argument is one in which the conclusion is intended to follow necessarily from
the premises. If the premises are true, the conclusion must also be true. This is the defining characteristic
that distinguishes deductive reasoning from inductive reasoning, where the conclusion only probably
follows.
Question 2
Which of the following best describes an inductive argument?
A. The conclusion necessarily follows from the premises
B. The conclusion is guaranteed to be true if premises are true
C. The conclusion probably follows from the premises
D. The argument contains no premises
Correct Answer: C. The conclusion probably follows from the premises
Rationale: An inductive argument is one in which the premises are intended to provide probable
support for the conclusion. Unlike deductive arguments, inductive arguments do not guarantee the truth
of the conclusion even if all premises are true. Instead, they establish that the conclusion is likely or
probable.
Question 3
Which of the following is a deductive indicator word?
A. Probably
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, PHIL 347 Week 3 Checkpoint Quiz | 2026/2027
B. Likely
C. Necessarily
D. It is reasonable to conclude
Correct Answer: C. Necessarily
Rationale: Deductive indicator words signal that the arguer intends the conclusion to follow
necessarily from the premises. Common deductive indicators include 'necessarily,' 'certainly,'
'absolutely,' 'definitely,' and 'it must be the case that.' These words indicate no room for doubt in the
logical connection.
Question 4
Which of the following is an inductive indicator word?
A. Certainly
B. Absolutely
C. Necessarily
D. Likely
Correct Answer: D. Likely
Rationale: Inductive indicator words signal that the arguer intends the conclusion to follow probably
rather than necessarily from the premises. Common inductive indicators include 'probably,' 'likely,' 'it is
reasonable to conclude,' and 'the evidence suggests.' These terms acknowledge the conclusion could
potentially be false.
Question 5
"All humans are mortal. Socrates is human. Therefore, Socrates is mortal." This argument is:
A. Inductive
B. Deductive
C. Neither deductive nor inductive
D. Both deductive and inductive
Correct Answer: B. Deductive
Rationale: This is a classic deductive argument, specifically a categorical syllogism. The conclusion
necessarily follows from the premises: if all humans are mortal and Socrates is human, it is impossible
for Socrates not to be mortal. The truth of the premises guarantees the truth of the conclusion.
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, PHIL 347 Week 3 Checkpoint Quiz | 2026/2027
Question 6
"Most students who attend class regularly pass the course. Maria attends class regularly. Therefore, Maria
will probably pass the course." This argument is:
A. Deductive
B. Inductive
C. Invalid
D. Unsound
Correct Answer: B. Inductive
Rationale: This is an inductive argument because the conclusion only probably follows from the
premises. The use of 'most' and 'probably' indicates the argument does not guarantee the conclusion.
Maria might attend class regularly and still fail for other reasons.
Question 7
The key difference between deductive and inductive arguments is:
A. The number of premises used
B. Whether the conclusion is intended to follow necessarily or probably
C. The length of the argument
D. Whether the argument contains emotional language
Correct Answer: B. Whether the conclusion is intended to follow necessarily or probably
Rationale: The fundamental distinction lies in the relationship between premises and conclusion. In a
deductive argument, the conclusion is intended to follow necessarily. In an inductive argument, the
conclusion is intended to follow probably. The two categories are mutually exclusive.
Question 8
"It is certain that if the temperature drops below freezing, the water will freeze." The phrase "it is certain"
indicates this is a(n):
A. Inductive argument
B. Deductive argument
C. Fallacious argument
D. Analogical argument
Correct Answer: B. Deductive argument
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