Question

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, and then Part B.

Part A
Read this sentence from paragraph 3 of the selection.

Simply learning new skills helps us to keep our brains fresh and young,
preventing any damage from age to our memory and thought!

What rhetorical device or logical fallacy does the author use in this sentence?
A. repetition of words and phrases
B. a sweeping generalization
C. direct address to the reader as “you”
D. an analogy between new and old
Part B
Does the rhetorical device or logical fallacy identified in Part A show sound reasoning, and why?
A. Yes; it explains an unfamiliar idea by making connections between what readers already know.
B. Yes; it engages readers with a dramatic statement that draws readers deeper into the text.
C. No; it directly addresses readers so that they feel good about accepting questionable evidence.
D. No; it presents information in a broad or simple way that can mislead or misinform readers.

Answer 1

Part A: B. a sweeping generalization

Part B: D. No; it presents information in a broad or simple way that can mislead or misinform readers — the claim that learning new skills prevents “any damage from age” overgeneralizes without evidence and ignores other causes and limits of cognitive aging.