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Science and Pseudoscience

Multiple Choice Quiz

Select the correct answer to the following multiple-choice questions by circling the appropriate letter.



1

Which of the following is not a characteristic of pseudoscience?
A)pseudoscience makes claims that are not testable.
B)pseudoscience makes claims that are inconsistent with well-established scientific truths.
C)pseudoscience is progressive.
D)pseudoscience often involves no serious effort to conduct research.
2

Which of the following claims is not falsifiable?
A)Frank's power of healing only works on people who are true believers in his power.
B)Smith is the oldest man on earth.
C)James is capable of swallowing swords without damaging his esophagus.
D)Alice can predict specific events in the future.
3

Which of the following claims is not verifiable?
A)Astrological signs are an accurate predictor of personality traits.
B)Science is the only reliable source of knowledge.
C)Cigarettes cause lung cancer.
D)There are three moons orbiting the planet Mars.
4

Which of the following claims is not scientifically testable?
A)It is likely to rain this week.
B)There are six moons orbiting the planet Pluto.
C)Soon, a great opportunity will be made available to you.
D)Cancer is caused by eating too many vegetables.
5

Which of the following is an example of a "stock spiel"?
A)You want to be a physician.
B)You are interested in collecting stamps and rare coins.
C)You have a great desire to be liked by people you work with.
D)Your favorite musical is Rent and your favorite opera is Wagner's Der Ring Des Nibelungen.
6

Which of the following is not true of scientific claims?
A)A scientific claim must be testable in principle.
B)A scientific claim must be verifiable in principle.
C)A scientific claim must be falsifiable in principle
D)A scientific claim must be a confirmed and undisputed fact.
7

According to the text, which of the following is not true of science?
A)Science makes claims that are inconsistent with well-established scientific truths.
B)Science often uses vague language to express conclusions.
C)Science explains away or ignores falsifying data.
D)All of the above
8

Which of the following represents a limitation of science?
A)Science cannot resolve questions of meaning.
B)Science cannot resolve questions of value.
C)Both a and c
D)None of the above.
9

To say that a claim is falsifiable in principle is to say that . . .
A)it is feasible to conduct a study that would prove the claim to be false.
B)it is likely that the claim is false.
C)the claim is certainly false.
D)it is possible to imagine some observation that would prove the claim to be false.
10

To say that a science is self-correcting is to say that . . .
A)science actively seeks to disprove its own hypotheses.
B)science is incapable of yielding mistaken beliefs is studies are carefully done.
C)science demands that scientists correct their own biases before engaging in scientific study.
D)none of the above.