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Test your basic knowledge |
LSAT Logical Reasoning Clues
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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. 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
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Common weakening scenarios
Causal statements
Rules for Family #1
2. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Counter Premise Indicators
Justify the conclusion formula
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Primary Objective #4
3. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Family #3: Hurt
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #4
Uncertain use of a term or concept
4. 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
Primary Objective #4
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Errors of conditional reasoning
5. Allows you to decide between contenders or to confirm that the answer you have chosen is correct. 1. Logically negate the answer choices under consideration. Usually consists of taking a 'not' out of a sentence or putting a 'not' in a sentence. 2. Th
Survey errors
Assumption Negation Technique
Mistaken Negation
Primary Objective #2
6. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #8
Rules for Family #1
Rules for Family #3
7. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Sufficient Condition
Errors of conditional reasoning
Mistaken Negation
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
8. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #2
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Central assumption of causal conclusions
9. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Typical assumption question stems
Primary Objective #8
10. 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.
Weaken question signal words
How to strengthen an argument
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
11. 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?
Family #1: Prove
2 roles played by assumptions
Conclusion definition
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
12. 1. assuming a causal relationship on the basis of the sequence of events 2. assuming a causal relationship when only a correlation exists 3. failure to consider an alternate cause for the effect or an alternate cause for both the cause and the effect
False dilemma
How to determine the strength of an argument
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken cause and effect
13. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Family #2: Help
Typical assumption question stems
14. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Time shift errors
Numbers and percentage errors
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
15. 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
Logical negation
Primary Objective #7
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Method of Reasoning
16. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Straw Man
How to determine the strength of an argument
17. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Straw Man
18. 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 identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Typical assumption question stems
Primary Objective #5
Circular reasoning
19. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
'Additional' Premise Indicators
20. 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
Time shift errors
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Mistaken Negation
21. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Typical assumption question stems
Mistaken cause and effect
How to attack a causal conclusion
22. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Primary Objective #1
False dilemma
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
23. 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
Rules for Family #1
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #5
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
24. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Justify the conclusion formula
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Exceptional case/over generalization
Numbers and percentage errors
25. 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
Rules for Family #3
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Causal statements
Straw Man
26. 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.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Appeal Fallacies
Family #1: Prove
2 speaker questions
27. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #9
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Necessary Condition
28. 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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29. 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
Quantity indicators
Premise definition
How to attack a causal conclusion
30. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #4
Exceptional case/over generalization
31. Always read each of the five answer choices. If an answer choice appears somewhat attractive - interesting or even confusing - keep it as a contender and move to the next answer.
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #7
Assumption Negation Technique
Logical opposites
32. 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
Premise definition
2 speaker questions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
33. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
False dilemma
Mistaken Negation
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
34. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Primary Objective #1
Rules for Family #2
Causal statements
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
35. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
How to strengthen an argument
Common weakening scenarios
36. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Primary Objective #8
Causal statements
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
37. 1. If conditional statements are linked together in the argument - the correct answer choice for an assumption question will typically supply a missing link in the chain or the contrapositive to that link. 2. If you see a conditional conclusion and t
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Rules for Family #2
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
38. 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
Straw Man
'Additional' Premise Indicators
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
39. 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
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #3
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Assumption Negation Technique
40. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #9
Primary Objective #3
41. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
Appeal Fallacies
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
42. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Time shift errors
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Method of Reasoning
43. 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
Primary Objective #6
Conclusion Identification Method
Family #2: Help
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
44. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Typical assumption question stems
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Circular reasoning
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Typical assumption question stems
46. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Time shift errors
Primary Objective #9
Family #3: Hurt
47. 1. Appeal to authority - uses the opinion of an authority in an attempt to persuade the reader. The flaw is that the authority may not have relevant knowledge or all of the info regarding the situation - to there may be a difference of opinion among
Appeal Fallacies
Primary Objective #6
How to determine the strength of an argument
Premise Indicators
48. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Mistaken cause and effect
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Rules for Family #3
49. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Time shift errors
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #5
50. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
How to strengthen an argument
Errors in the use of evidence
Rules for Family #2
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