Exercise 11.1 Determining whether a statement is arguable

Using the three characteristics in 9c, decide which of the following statements are arguable and which are not.

  1. American Sniper was the best movie of the last decade.

    Question

    American Sniper was the best movie of the last decade.
    American Sniper was the best movie of the last decade.
  2. No amount of human effort can mitigate the effect of global warming.

    Question

    No amount of human effort can mitigate the effect of global warming.
    No amount of human effort can mitigate the effect of global warming.
  3. The United States must further reduce social spending in order to balance the budget.

    Question

    The United States must further reduce social spending in order to balance the budget.
    The United States must further reduce social spending in order to balance the budget.
  4. Shakespeare died in 1616.

    Question

    Shakespeare died in 1616.
    Shakespeare died in 1616.
  5. The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941.

    Question

    The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
    The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941.
  6. Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.

    Question

    Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
    Water boils at 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
  7. Van Gogh’s paintings are the work of a madman.

    Question

    Van Gogh’s paintings are the work of a madman.
    Van Gogh’s paintings are the work of a madman.
  8. More than two million people currently living in the United States have survived breast cancer.

    Question

    More than two million people currently living in the United States have survived breast cancer.
    More than two million people currently living in the United States have survived breast cancer.
  9. The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to disasters must be radically improved.

    Question

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to disasters must be radically improved.
    The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s response to disasters must be radically improved.
  10. A fifty-five-mile-per-hour speed limit on all U.S. highways would lower accident rates.

    Question

    A fifty-five-mile-per-hour speed limit on all U.S. highways would lower accident rates.
    A fifty-five-mile-per-hour speed limit on all U.S. highways would lower accident rates.