Which type of statement gives a special quality to only some members of a category?

Which type of statement gives a special quality to only some members of a category?

• A. Universal negative statement
• B. Particular affirmative statement
• C. Particular negative statement
• D. Universal affirmative statement

Answer: (B)

The choice of a particular affirmative statement is accurate because this type of statement asserts that some members of a category possess a certain quality or characteristic. For example, saying "Some dogs are friendly" indicates that within the broader category of dogs, there are specific instances (some dogs) that have the characteristic of being friendly. This allows for the possibility that not all dogs are friendly, focusing instead on only a subset of the category. In contrast, universal statements apply to all members of a category. Universal negatives deny a quality to all members of the category, while universal affirmatives confirm it for all. Particular negative statements, on the other hand, specify that not all members of a category have a certain quality, but do not highlight that some may possess it. Thus, a particular affirmative statement distinctly emphasizes the feature of only select members within a category, making it the correct choice.

The choice of a particular affirmative statement is accurate because this type of statement asserts that some members of a category possess a certain quality or characteristic. For example, saying "Some dogs are friendly" indicates that within the broader category of dogs, there are specific instances (some dogs) that have the characteristic of being friendly. This allows for the possibility that not all dogs are friendly, focusing instead on only a subset of the category.

In contrast, universal statements apply to all members of a category. Universal negatives deny a quality to all members of the category, while universal affirmatives confirm it for all. Particular negative statements, on the other hand, specify that not all members of a category have a certain quality, but do not highlight that some may possess it. Thus, a particular affirmative statement distinctly emphasizes the feature of only select members within a category, making it the correct choice.