Basic Details
Word: Fallacy
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A mistake in reasoning or thinking; something that is wrong or untrue.
Synonyms: Mistake, error, illusion
Antonyms: Truth, fact, reality
Idioms and Phrases
- Fallacy of composition: The incorrect belief that what is true for a part is also true for the whole. Example: "Just because a few students did well, it doesn't mean the entire class will; that's the fallacy of composition."
- Fallacy of ambiguity: A misunderstanding that arises from unclear or vague language. Example: "His argument was weak due to the fallacy of ambiguity; the terms he used were too confusing."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Many people fall into the fallacy of thinking that good grades guarantee success in life.
Example 2: The teacher explained the fallacy in the student's argument to help him improve his reasoning skills.
Example 3: It is a common fallacy to believe that fortune can only be found in wealth; happiness is often found in simple things.
Fun Fact
The word "fallacy" comes from the Latin word "fallacia," meaning "deception" or "trick." It is often used in logic to describe errors in reasoning that can lead to false conclusions.
Famous Quote
"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them." - Galileo Galilei.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "fallacy" mean?
a) A correct reasoning
b) A mistake in reasoning
c) A unique idea
d) A scientific fact
Answer: b) A mistake in reasoning
2. Which of these is a synonym of "fallacy"?
a) Truth
b) Illusion
c) Success
d) Reality
Answer: b) Illusion
3. Which of the following is an antonym of "fallacy"?
a) Error
b) Truth
c) Mistake
d) Illusion
Answer: b) Truth
4. Which sentence uses "fallacy" correctly?
a) The fallacy of his argument led him to win the debate.
b) She believed the fallacy that it would always rain on weekends.
c) A fallacy was predicted by the stars for the coming year.
d) They confirmed the fallacy with several experiments.
Answer: b) She believed the fallacy that it would always rain on weekends.
5. Which idiom relates to a type of fallacy?
a) Fallacy of composition
b) As clear as mud
c) It's a piece of cake
d) Between a rock and a hard place
Answer: a) Fallacy of composition
