Can someone check these answers for me?
I have to identify which examples are vague and ambuiguity.
Areas that were vague was the following :
“For instance, in 1998, medical expenses due to obesity accounted for 9.1 percent of total U.S. medical expenditures and may have been as high as $78.5 billion.”
“That's a lot of cash, but the kicker is that approximately half of these costs were paid by Medicaid and Medicare—in other words, by taxpayers.”
An area was ambiguous is “In other words, by not eating right your height could even fall short!”
I viewed several sites on fallacies and rhectorical devices. Just need someone to correct
I agree with your answers.
thanks
To check if the examples you provided are truly vague or contain ambiguity, let's analyze them one by one:
Example 1: "For instance, in 1998, medical expenses due to obesity accounted for 9.1 percent of total U.S. medical expenditures and may have been as high as $78.5 billion."
The first statement does not seem vague, as it provides a specific percentage (9.1 percent) of the total U.S. medical expenditures. However, the second part, "may have been as high as $78.5 billion," lacks clarity because it suggests that there is uncertainty about the actual amount.
To confirm whether the statement is true or not, you can:
1. Consult reliable sources that provide statistics or reports on medical expenses related to obesity in 1998.
2. Check government databases or websites that might contain official data on medical expenditures.
3. Look for scholarly articles or studies that specifically address this topic.
By cross-referencing the information from multiple credible sources, you can verify whether the statement is accurate or if there indeed exists vagueness.
Example 2: "That's a lot of cash, but the kicker is that approximately half of these costs were paid by Medicaid and Medicare—in other words, by taxpayers."
This statement is not necessarily vague, as it provides a clear proportion (approximately half) and identifies who pays the costs (Medicaid and Medicare). However, the use of the phrase "in other words" might introduce some confusion or ambiguity.
To ensure the accuracy of this statement, you can:
1. Refer to official reports or publications on healthcare funding and expenditure in the United States.
2. Consult trustworthy sources such as government websites, reputable news outlets, or healthcare policy organizations.
3. Review studies or research papers related to healthcare financing and the role of Medicaid and Medicare.
By validating the information from reliable sources, you can confirm if the statement accurately represents the relationship between these healthcare programs and taxpayers.
Example 3: "In other words, by not eating right, your height could even fall short!"
This example contains ambiguity, specifically related to the phrase "your height could even fall short." It assumes a potential cause-effect relationship without providing sufficient evidence or clarification.
To address this ambiguity, you can:
1. Examine scientific studies or medical information that analyze the impact of diet on human height.
2. Consult reputable health websites or academic sources that provide reliable information on diet and growth patterns.
3. Seek expert opinions from healthcare professionals, nutritionists, or specialists in the field.
By gathering information from credible sources and experts, you can determine if the statement accurately reflects the relationship between diet and height.
Remember, while I can provide guidance on how to verify information, ultimately, it is essential to conduct proper research and consult reliable sources to confirm the accuracy of the statements.