Fundie Gets Exactly One Right on Logic Test

An unnamed fundie, obviously exercised by the assumption fundies 'don't know jack' about logic, actually submitted the answers to the recent basic test of logic I gave (via the comment moderation submission interface) and got exactly ONE right. Well, I guess my question embedded in the header was answered then: since one fundie did get one correct.

Anyway, let's look at the answers in detail.

(1) We already know C is at zero Celsius (O C) so all we have to do is correctly compute the total difference in temp. to object O. This is just: dT = 2F + 1.8C . Thus, we know O is at a temperature of more than 1.8C. Now how many C degrees in 2F? The hint provides the basis for deducing the answer (if one didn't already know it) so 1 C = 1.8F Then logically, 2F = 1C + 0.2F, and for 0.2F:


0.2F/ (1.8 F/C) = 1/9 of a Celsius degree = 0.11 C

therefore, 2F = 1.11 C

so O is at a temperature of: 1.11C + 1.80 C = 2.91 C which is answer (C)

(The fundie gave (A))

(2) This is simple. Obviously, a consecutive clockwise and counter-clocwise rotaton of 60 degrees cancels each other. Then, rotating the triangle through 360 degrees clockwise simply turns it through a full circle - bringing it to its original position. Thus, the answer is: (A) the same as the original orientation. (The fundie gave D)


(3) We know A and B choices are immediate conditions based on the information. Since we already have more than one choice, the answer has to be (D) - all the preceding may apply. (The fundie gave answer (C))

(4) The fundie responded (D) (2nd cousin) which is correct.


(5) We have consecutive operations such that: operations: addition by 1 is denoted by A; multiplication by 2 is denoted by S; division by 4 is denoted by F, and subtraction by 1 is denoted by T.

Then: 28 SFATS -> (28)x 2 = 56 and 56/4 = 14 and (14 + 1) = 15 and (15 - 1) = 14 and finally 14 x 2 = 28


So the answer is: (B)

(The fundie responded (A))


(6) This references a series of operations on a square whose top left corner is A, and the other corners (going clockwise) are: B, C and D. The operation sequence is: R2 M1 M3, where,

R2: rotation clockwise by 180 degrees

M1: Mirrors corners exactly through the midline of the square

M3: Mirrors two opposing corners in the opposite sense to M2

Now, performing operation R2 first, causes the square to rotate so that 'A' ends up where C is in the original orientation. (Fig. 1(A)) Operation M1 then causes all the existing corners to be mirrored throught the midline of the square. Thus, Fig 1 (B) shows the orientation after M1.

The last operation, M3, mirrors two opposing diagonal corners: from top right to bottom left (e.g. opposite to the sense of M2) This will yield the result shown in Fig. 2 which is DABC or (C). Meanwhile, the fundie responded (B).

(7) The key is to carefully read the conditions proposed for affecting the rate of synthesis, and to note that the density of the proteins will have nothing to do with this rate. All an increased density of the proteins means is that more will be there to be synthesized but this doesn't affect the rate applied to each of the proteins proper. (Of course the total time to complete the task will be longer but this is only because there will be 1000 times more to be synthesized!) Thus, galactoside at half the original concentration means the rate of synthesis slows by a factor of two, so we can expect only 500 molecules (as opposed to one thousand) to be synthesized for every five generations. Thus, the answer is: (B). The fundie gave (D)

(8) The next step in the sequence is easy to figure out once one identified the key components of the previous sequence of 4 and how they are changing. This is in the direction of increasing white squares and reducing the orange. Since the algorithmic sequence requires at least two whites for the next step, this automatically eliminates options (A), (C) and (D), leaving answer (B). The fundie gave answer (D).

(9) The key for this question is not to be fooled by the 'easy pop-up answer' which is (D). If miracles are argued as an exception to existing physical laws, it is implicit that quantum mechanics enters - since the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is being invoked at some level. (Even if the person doesn't know it). Therefore, quantum logic would have to be factored in, so the logical error inheres in ignoring quantum logic when the claim of "exception" demands it. So, the correct answer is (C), while the fundie gave (D)

(10) The key to resolving this is to read the lead- in carefully, which specifically asks for the "BEST question", singular! This again rules out the facile, quick choice of (D). The best question to ask in this case is: What are the necessary and sufficient conditions for an “exception”?

Which is (A). (The fundie gave (D))

(11) In the case of this answer, the conclusion allows for a multiple point of view and this definitely prescribes answer (D): He has committed all the above.

The fundie ignored this one. So, I acted with generosity and didn't count it as an error, leaving him with a score of 1 out of 10, or 10%. On consideration, this really isn't too bad for a person who literally believes in talking snakes, and people able to live three days in a whale's belly full of hydrochloric acid - and emerge alive!