More Session Questions

Instructions

1. You should have gone through the “Mind the Gap” write-up before attempting these questions.
2. Do not refer to others’ comments. If you do, you may not be able to gain as much from the session.
3. Be sure you’re clear about the connections across statements in the two passages, the main points and their premises. Refer to the ‘Making Connections’ session video again, if needed.

Question

Are the following arguments “airtight”? If so, why? If not, why not? Explain your answer in detail in the comments. If you believe the arguments are not airtight, mention ALL gaps you can think of.

Argument 1

Although the school would receive financial benefits if it had soft drink vending machines in the cafeteria, we should not allow them. Allowing soft drink machines there would not be in our students’ interest. If our students start drinking more soft drinks, they will be less healthy.

Argument 2

It is widely assumed that people need to engage in intellectual activities such as solving crossword puzzles or mathematics problems in order to maintain mental sharpness as they age. In fact, however, simply talking to other people—that is, participating in social interaction, which engages many mental and perceptual skills—suffices. Evidence to this effect comes from a study showing that the more social contact people report, the better their mental skills.