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Test your basic knowledge |
LSAT Logical Reasoning Clues
Start Test
Study First
Subjects
:
logic-and-reasoning
,
LSAT
Instructions:
Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can
study here
.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.
This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Primary Objective #6
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Family #3: Hurt
2. 1. An indication that the answer choices should be accepted as true 2. Keywords that indicate your task is to resolve the problem Action: Problem: Resolve Paradox Explain Contradiction Reconcile Discrepancy Conflict Puzzle *Attempt to prephrase Corre
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Primary Objective #4
Assumption Negation Technique
3. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Exceptional case/over generalization
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Necessary Condition
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
4. 1. The stimulus will almost always contain an argument you must identify - isolate and assess the premises and the conclusion of the argument 2. Focus on the conclusion. Almost all correct answer choices impact the conclusion 3. The info in the stimu
Causal statements
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Primary Objective #3
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
5. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
False analogy
Assumption Negation Technique
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Conclusion Indicators
6. A. Eliminates an alternate cause for the stated effect B. Shows that when the cause occurs - the effect occurs - assumption answers affirm the cause/effect relationship C. Show that when the cause does not occur - the effect doe not occur D. Eliminat
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Weaken question signal words
Mistaken Negation
Rules for Family #2
7. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Primary Objective #7
Mistaken Negation
Probability indicators
Family #4: Disprove
8. Stimulus (accepted) ----> Answer Choices (affected or determined) AKA: must be or prove family must be true - main point - point at issue - method of reasoning - flaw in the reasoning - parallel reasoning.
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Counter Premise Indicators
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Family #1: Prove
9. Take the statements under consideration and place them in an arrangement that forces once to be the conclusion and the other(s) to be the premise (s). Use premise and conclusion indicators to achieve this end. Once the pieces are arranged - determine
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Conclusion Identification Method
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Circular reasoning
10. 1. Opposite answers. These answers do the exact opposite of What is needed. 2. Shell game answers. Occurs when an idea or concept is raised in the stimulus and then a very similar idea appears in the answer choices - but the idea is changed just enou
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Primary Objective #6
2 roles played by assumptions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
11. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
False dilemma
Time shift errors
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Family #3: Hurt
12. A fact - proposition or statement from which a conclusion is made. Ask: What reasons has the author used to persuade me? Why should I believe this argument? What evidence exists?
Primary Objective #8
Causal statements
Conclusion definition
Premise definition
13. First Family The correct answer choice will be a rephrasing of the main conclusion of the argument. The conclusion is either in the middle or beginning of the stimulus. The correct answer choice must not only be true it also must summarize the author
Logical negation
Quantity indicators
Main Point Questions
Weaken question signal words
14. Involves judgements made about groups and parts of a group. an error or composition occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of part of the group to the group as a whole or to each member of the group Error of division - author attributes c
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Errors of composition and division
Justify the conclusion formula
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
15. 1. The stem uses the word assumption - presupposition or some variation 2. The stem NEVER uses the word 'if' or any other sufficient condition indicator. The stem will likely contain a necessary condition indicator such as required or unless. The cor
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Causal statements
Logical opposites
Typical assumption question stems
16. 1. Stem uses the word 'if' or another sufficient indicator 2. Stem uses the phrase 'allows the conclusion to be properly drawn' or 'enables the conclusion to be properly drawn'. 3. Stem does not lessen the degree of justification. Never uses 'most ju
Source argument AKA ad hominen
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Errors of conditional reasoning
17. If an answer choice describes an event that did not occur in the stimulus - then that answer is incorrect. Watch for answers that are partially true - that is answers that contain a description of something that happened in the argument but that also
Justify the conclusion formula
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #9
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
18. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Logical negation
Survey errors
Primary Objective #1
19. As an argument progresses - the author must use each term in a constant - coherent fashion. using a term in different ways is inherently confusing and undermines the integrity of the argument. n
Primary Objective #4
Probability indicators
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Sufficient Condition
20. 1. Any 'new' element in the conclusion will appear in the correct answer. 2. Elements that are common to the conclusion and at least one premise normally do not appear in the correct answer. 3. Elements that appear in the premises but not the conclus
Sufficient Condition
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Primary Objective #9
Conclusion Indicators
21. Refer to the amount or quantity in the relationship. Examples: (do not need to memorize) all - every - most - many - several - sole - only - not all - none - few.
Justify the conclusion formula
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Quantity indicators
22. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Sufficient Condition
Weakening conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #1
Exceptional case/over generalization
23. Caused by because of responsible for reason for leads to induced by promoted by determined by produced by product of played a role in was a factor in is an effect of.
How to strengthen an argument
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Family #3: Hurt
Conclusion Identification Method
24. Used to introduce other premises that support the conclusion but are sometimes non-essential to the conclusion furthermore - moreover - besides - in addition - whats more - after all.
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25. Whenever you identify a causal relationship in the conclusion of an LSAT problem - immediately prepare to either weaken or strengthen the argument. Tasks for Weaken questions...must always identify a causal conclusion. Then ask if there relationship
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Rules for Family #2
Primary Objective #2
How to attack a causal conclusion
26. Mis-assessing the force of evidence is a frequent error committed by LSAT authors 1. Lack of evidence for a position is taken to prove that position is false 2. lack of evidence against a position is taken to prove that position is true 3. some evide
Rules for Family #2
Errors in the use of evidence
Exceptional case/over generalization
Family #4: Disprove
27. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
False dilemma
Sufficient Condition
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Numbers and percentage errors
28. Occurs when an author attempts to attack an opponent's position by ignoring the actual statements made by the opposing speaker and instead distorts and refashions the argument - making it weaker in the process. Often prephrased by 'what you're saying
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Straw Man
How to attack a causal conclusion
Time shift errors
29. Supporter - the traditional linking role - where an assumption connects pieces of the argument. (often new or rogue pieces) They also can close gaps. Ex: All male citizens of athens had the right to vote. Therefore - Socrates had the right to vote in
2 roles played by assumptions
Primary Objective #2
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
'Additional' Premise Indicators
30. Mistaken negation and reversal exp: taking the non-existence of something as evidence that a necessary precondition for that thing also did not exist' (MN) 'mistakes being sufficient to justify punishment for being required to justify it' (MR)n
Errors of conditional reasoning
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Mistaken cause and effect
31. 1. The survey uses a biased sample 2. The survey questions are improperly constructed 3. Respondents to the survey give inaccurate responses. People do not always tell the truth when responding to surveys.n
Logical opposites
Survey errors
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
32. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Primary Objective #8
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Straw Man
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
33. They often feature 2 conclusions (main and sub.) - when the main conclusion is typically place in the first or second sentence and the last sentence contains the sub. conclusion. The sub. conclusion is set off by conclusion indicators while the main
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
2 speaker questions
Weaken question signal words
Primary Objective #7
34. 1. You must accept the stimulus info- even if it contains an error in reasoning-and use it to prove one of the answer choices must be true. 2. Any info in an answer choice that does not appear either directly in the stimulus or as a combination of it
Logical opposites
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Rules for Family #1
Primary Objective #9
35. 1. The stem uses the word strengthen or a synonym (support - helps - most justifies) 2. The stem indicates that you should accept the answer choices are true.
Straw Man
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
36. Argument Part - If you do see the main conclusion at the end of a Method-AP problem - be prepared to answer a question about a part of the arguement other than the conclusion.n
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Method of Reasoning
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Weakening conditional reasoning
37. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
38. Switches the elements in the sufficient and necessary conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Reversal: Study --> A+.
Straw Man
Mistaken Reversal
Rules for Family #1
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
39. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Quantity indicators
False analogy
2 speaker questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
40. A. Eliminate any alternate causes for the stated effect. B. Show that when the cause occurs - the effect occurs. C. Show that when the cause does not occur - the effect does not occur. D. Eliminate the possility that the stated relationship is revers
Premise Indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Source argument AKA ad hominen
41. Introduce something that actually contains an idea that is counter to the argument. By raising opposition - the author can minimize the damage that would be done by the objection if it were raised elsewhere. but yet - however - on the other hand - ad
Family #1: Prove
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #5
2 roles played by assumptions
42. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Primary Objective #1
43. Usually have one male and one female. The female uses sound reasoning and the male uses flawed reasoning or makes a mistake. This is not always true - but more often than not.n
Causal statements
Survey errors
2 speaker questions
Time shift errors
44. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Typical assumption question stems
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Straw Man
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
45. 1. No conclusion. When a stimulus does not have a conclusion and contains a paradox - expect a Resolve question 2. Language of contradiction exp: but - however - yet - although - paradoxically - surprisingly.
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Mistaken cause and effect
Conclusion definition
46. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Primary Objective #2
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #5
47. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Mistaken cause and effect
How to strengthen an argument
48. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Time shift errors
Primary Objective #8
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
49. Authors misuses info to such a degree that they fail to provide any info to support their conclusion or they provide info that is irrelevant to their conclusion. n
Mistaken Reversal
How to determine the strength of an argument
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
50. 1. Identify the conclusion - this is what you are trying to strengthen 2. Personalize the argument 3. Look for weaknesses in the argument 4. Arguments that contain analogies or use surveys rely upon the validity of those analogies and surveys. Answer
False analogy
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
How to strengthen an argument
Counter Premise Indicators