Question

Read the two passages.

Passage 1

Many people think that standardized testing is unnecessary; however, standardized testing is the only way to measure student achievement. Viewing student testing only from a student’s perspective is missing the point. If we think of it in practical terms, we can see that testing students gives us a baseline to assist those students in their areas of greatest need. Without standardized testing, that assistance would not be possible.

Passage 2

Students experience anxiety during standardized testing. Everyone knows this, and everyone should realize that no child deserves to feel unnecessary stress. Imagine one of your own children suffering through the rigors of a week—or more—of testing. Imagine that anxiety, even though there were clearly alternatives available to avoid it. This is just one of the many reasons to eliminate standardized testing in our schools.

How do the fallacies in the first passage differ from the fallacies in the second?

Passage 1 contains an ad hominem attack, while passage 2 contains a false dilemma.
Passage 1 contains a false dilemma, while passage 2 contains a bandwagon appeal.
Passage 1 contains a bandwagon appeal, while passage 2 contains ad hominem attack.
Passage 1 contains an appeal to emotion, while passage 2 contains an ad hominem attack

Answer 1

Passage 1 contains a false dilemma, while passage 2 contains a bandwagon appeal.

Explanation: Passage 1 wrongly claims standardized testing is the “only way” to measure achievement, excluding other possibilities (false dilemma). Passage 2 appeals to common opinion (“Everyone knows this…”) and urges agreement by invoking that consensus (a bandwagon/ad populum move), alongside emotional imagery.