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 students 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
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.

Explanation:

A false dilemma is when only two options are presented as if they are the only possibilities. In Passage 1, it presents "standardized testing is the only way" (ignoring other potential ways to measure student achievement). An ad hominem attack is attacking the person rather than the argument. In Passage 2, it's not really attacking a person's character but rather using an emotional appeal (imagining one's own child suffering). But let's analyze each option:

• Option 1: Passage 1 is not an ad hominem (no attack on a person). Passage 2 is not a false dilemma.
• Option 2: Passage 1 has a false dilemma (only two options - standardized testing or no measurement). Passage 2 uses a bandwagon appeal ("Everyone knows this") which is a fallacy where it's suggested that because everyone believes something, it's true.
• Option 3: Passage 1 is not a bandwagon appeal (no "everyone believes" type of statement). Passage 2 is not an ad hominem.
• Option 4: Passage 1 is not an appeal to emotion (more of a false choice). Passage 2 is not an ad hominem.

Answer:

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