Question

Read the passage.

excerpt from How to Behave: A Pocket Manual of Republican Etiquette by Samuel R. Wells

American children (we are sorry to be obliged to say it) are not, as a general rule, well behaved. They are rude and disrespectful, if not disobedient. . . . Through whose fault comes this state of things? American boys and girls have naturally as much good sense and good-nature as those of any other nation, and, when well trained, no children are more courteous and agreeable. The fault lies in their education. In the days of our grandfathers, children were taught manners at school; a rather rude, backwoods sort of manners, it is true, but better than the no manners at all of the present day. We must blame parents in this matter rather than their children. If you would have your children grow up beloved and respected by their elders as well as their contemporaries, teach them good manners in their childhood. The young sovereign should first learn to obey, that he may be the better fitted to command in his turn.

Which statement from the excerpt uses fallacious reasoning?

A."The fault lies in their education," because it puts too much blame on educators.

B.". . . when well trained, no children are more courteous and agreeable," because there is no connection between good education and good behavior.

C."The fault lies in their education," because most people would say that families, not schools, are responsible for teaching manners.

D.". . . when well trained, no children are more courteous and agreeable," because courteousness and agreeableness are not traits that can be statistically measured.

Answer 1

Answer: D.". . . when well trained, no children are more courteous and agreeable," because courteousness and agreeableness are not traits that can be statistically measured.

This is the sentence that uses fallacious reasoning. It argues that when American children are well-raised, they are the kindest and most courteous of all children. This statement is a fallacy, because there is no way to know if American children are really the most agreeable of all nationalities. This is something that cannot be properly measured.