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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. To raise a viewpoint at the beginning of the stimulus and then disagree with it immediately thereafter. The stimulus often begins with: Some people claim... Some people propose... Many people believe... Some argue that... Some critics claim... Some s
Family #3: Hurt
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
2. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Primary Objective #6
Weakening conditional reasoning
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
3. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Appeal Fallacies
Family #4: Disprove
Premise definition
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
4. 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 Definition of 'either/or'
Main Point Questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
5. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
'Additional' Premise Indicators
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #9
6. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Mistaken Reversal
Primary Objective #2
Rules for Family #1
Common weakening scenarios
7. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Primary Objective #3
Logical negation
Numbers and percentage errors
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
8. Takes a small number of intstances and treats those instances as if they support a broad - sweeping conclusion. Often appears as an incorrect answer.n
2 speaker questions
Exceptional case/over generalization
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
9. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
False dilemma
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Primary Objective #3
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
10. The author assumes as true What is supposed to be proved. exp: 'this essay is the best because it is better than all the others'n
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Rules for Family #3
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #6
11. Think about the structure of the argument before examining the answer choices. Do not expect to see the exact prephrase - there are too many variations. Make an abstract prephrase then examine each answer to see if it paraphrases the prephrase.n
Family #4: Disprove
False dilemma
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Exceptional case/over generalization
12. 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
Main Point Questions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Probability indicators
13. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
How to attack a causal conclusion
Main Point Questions
14. 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.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Method of Reasoning
Primary Objective #4
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
15. Quantity: All = 100 Not all = 0-99 Some = 1-100 None = 0 Time: Always - Not always - Sometimes - Never Space: Everywhere - Not everywhere - Somewhere - No where.
Logical opposites
Method of Reasoning
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Conclusion definition
16. Because - since - for - for example - for the reason that - in that - given that - as indicated by - due to - owing to - this can be seen from - we know this by.
Time shift errors
Premise definition
Premise Indicators
Sufficient Condition
17. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Primary Objective #9
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Primary Objective #5
18. The mistake involves assuming that conditions will remain constant over time - and that what was the case in the past will be the case in the future or present. n
Family #1: Prove
Errors of conditional reasoning
Time shift errors
Causal statements
19. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Justify the conclusion formula
Appeal Fallacies
How to determine the strength of an argument
2 roles played by assumptions
20. Always ask: Do the given facts support the conclusion? Do the premises strongly suggest that the conclusion would be true? Does the conclusion feel like an inevitable result of the premises? Or Does the conclusion go beyond the scope of the info in t
Logical opposites
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #8
How to determine the strength of an argument
21. 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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22. 1. You can use only the info in the stimulus to prove the correct answer choice 2. Any answer choice that describes an element or a situation that does not occur in the stimulus is incorrect Method of Reasoning questions use a variety of formats - bu
Method of Reasoning questions
Conclusion Identification Method
How to attack a causal conclusion
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
23. 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.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Logical opposites
Quantity indicators
Premise definition
24. The makers of the LSAT do not think that there are multiple causes for the same effect. When an LSAT speaker concludes that one occurance caused another - that speaker also assumes that the stated cause is the only possible cause of the effect and th
How to attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #6
Necessary Condition
Central assumption of causal conclusions
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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #5
Primary Objective #6
Primary Objective #8
26. 1. The info in the stimulus is supect. There are often reasoning errors present - and you will further weaken the argument in some way. 2. The answer choices are accepted as given - even if they include 'new' info. The task is to determine which answ
How to attack a causal conclusion
Rules for Family #3
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #5
27. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Premise Indicators
Method of Reasoning questions
28. A statement or judgement that follows from one or more reasons. Ask: What is the author driving at? What does the author want me to believe? What point follows from the others?
Primary Objective #1
Conclusion definition
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
29. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Mistaken Reversal
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
30. 1. The sufficient condition does not make the necessary condition occur. That is - the sufficient condition does not actively cause the necessary condition to happen. 2. Temporally speaking - either condition can occur first - or the two conditions c
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
31. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Primary Objective #6
Numbers and percentage errors
Common weakening scenarios
32. They can be in the premises or conclusion. If they are in the conclusion the argument is flawed. Classic mistaken cause and effect reasoning refers to occurences when a causal assertion is made in the conclusion or the conclusion presumes a causal re
Family #1: Prove
Causal statements
Counter Premise Indicators
Weakening conditional reasoning
33. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Weaken question signal words
Conclusion definition
Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #8
34. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #6
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
35. 1. Increasing percentages automatically lead to increasing numbers. This is not necessarily true because the overall size of the group could get smaller. 2. Decreasing percentages automatically lead to decreasing numbers 3. Increasing numbers automat
Survey errors
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #2
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
36. 1. new element answers - an answer that describes something that did not occure or describes an element new to the argument cannot be correct 2. Half right - half wrong answers - LSAT makers like to start off with something that happened - then end w
Central assumption of causal conclusions
2 roles played by assumptions
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Mistaken Negation
37. 1. The info in the stimulus is suspect. There are often reasoning errors present and depending on the question - you will help shore up the argument in some way. 2. The answer choices are accepted as given - even if they include 'new' info. Your task
Family #3: Hurt
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Rules for Family #2
Source argument AKA ad hominen
38. 1. ethical versus factual situations - when the stimulus addresses something ethical - a factual answer would be incorrect and vice versa 2. dual agreement or dual disagreement - often incorrect answer choices will supply statements that both speaker
Primary Objective #4
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
39. 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
Primary Objective #3
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Primary Objective #5
40. 1. Whatever term is modified by 'unless' - 'except' - 'until' or 'without' becomes the necessary condition 2. The remaining term is negated and becomes the sufficient condition.
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Rules for Family #2
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
41. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Time shift errors
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
42. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Family #3: Hurt
Family #4: Disprove
Mistaken Reversal
Assumption Negation Technique
43. 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?
2 roles played by assumptions
How to attack a causal conclusion
Counter Premise Indicators
Premise definition
44. 1. Watch for answers starting with the phrase 'at least one' or 'at least some'. When an assumption answer choice starts with one of these phrases it is usually right. But ALWAYS verify with A.N.T. 2. Avoid answers that claim an idea was the most imp
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Probability indicators
Survey errors
Logical negation
45. 1. if you recognize the form of reasoning used in the stimulus (causal - conditional - etc.) immediately attack the answers and search for the answer with similar reasoning (analogy - circular reasoning) 2. The Conclusion - match the conclusions - to
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
False dilemma
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Conclusion definition
46. 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
Conclusion Indicators
Errors of conditional reasoning
Family #1: Prove
Mistaken Negation
47. To weaken a conditional conclusion - attack the necessary condition by showing that the necessary condition does not need to occur in order for the sufficient condition to occur. With a combo of a conditional reasoning stimulus and a weaken question
Method of Reasoning
Weakening conditional reasoning
2 roles played by assumptions
Family #3: Hurt
48. 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
Time shift errors
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Conclusion Identification Method
49. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Counter Premise Indicators
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
50. 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
Survey errors
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
How to attack a causal conclusion
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