Question 26
IGCSE_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1
•
2017
•
ENGLISH_LANGUAGE
•
objective
Read the following excerpt from a school debate on the use of uniforms:
"Our school should adopt a strict uniform policy because it will eliminate distractions, promote equality, and prepare students for the professional world. If we allow students to dress as they wish, they will spend more time worrying about fashion trends rather than focusing on their studies. Moreover, uniforms will reduce bullying caused by peer pressure over clothing choices."
Identify the underlying assumption behind the argument that "uniforms will reduce bullying caused by peer pressure over clothing choices" and then propose a concise counter‑argument that attacks a different logical fallacy present in the excerpt.
Answer Options
A.
Assumption: that bullying is primarily driven by academic competition rather than clothing, so uniforms would not affect bullying. Counter‑argument (targeting the straw‑man fallacy): the argument misrepresents the issue by suggesting uniforms alone can solve bullying, ignoring other causes.
B.
Assumption: that the cost of uniforms will lower school expenses, leading to less bullying. Counter‑argument (targeting the appeal‑to‑tradition fallacy): claiming that because schools have always used uniforms, they must reduce bullying, which is unrelated.
C.
Assumption: that uniforms will automatically improve student discipline, thus reducing bullying. Counter‑argument (targeting the ad hominem fallacy): attacking the proponents' motives rather than the claim, which does not address the uniform argument.
Correct Answer
D.
Assumption: that bullying is mainly caused by differences in clothing, so making everyone dress alike will remove the main source of bullying. Counter‑argument (targeting the slippery‑slope claim): even without a uniform, most students focus on their studies, so allowing personal dress does not necessarily lead to increased distraction - the argument exaggerates the effect and commits a slippery‑slope fallacy.
Correct Answer
D
Correct Option:
Assumption: that bullying is mainly caused by differences in clothing, so making everyone dress alike will remove the main source of bullying. Counter‑argument (targeting the slippery‑slope claim): even without a uniform, most students focus on their studies, so allowing personal dress does not necessarily lead to increased distraction - the argument exaggerates the effect and commits a slippery‑slope fallacy.
About This Question
This is
Igcse Model Questions Vol1
2017
English Language
Question 26.
It is one of the
objective
questions from the
2017
Igcse Model Questions Vol1
English Language
examination.
Difficulty level:
Hard
.