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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. 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
Family #1: Prove
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Exceptional case/over generalization
2. 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+.
Primary Objective #1
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Family #4: Disprove
Mistaken Reversal
3. 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.
Errors of composition and division
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Common weakening scenarios
4. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Mistaken Reversal
Causal statements
Primary Objective #9
'Additional' Premise Indicators
5. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
How to strengthen an argument
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Main Point Questions
6. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #4
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
7. 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.
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
False dilemma
8. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
How to strengthen an argument
Primary Objective #3
9. 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
Method of Reasoning
Rules for Family #2
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Central assumption of causal conclusions
10. 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
Primary Objective #5
Primary Objective #1
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Causal statements
11. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Time shift errors
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Family #4: Disprove
Mistaken Negation
12. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Weakening conditional reasoning
13. 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
Rules for Family #3
Counter Premise Indicators
Circular reasoning
14. 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.
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Rules for Family #2
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Family #1: Prove
15. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Errors of composition and division
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #8
Straw Man
16. 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
Premise Indicators
Appeal Fallacies
Central assumption of causal conclusions
17. 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.
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Mistaken Reversal
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Errors of composition and division
18. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Sufficient Condition
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
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
Primary Objective #8
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #1
20. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Primary Objective #9
Mistaken cause and effect
Errors of conditional reasoning
21. 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
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
22. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Mistaken Negation
Exceptional case/over generalization
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #5
23. 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
Common weakening scenarios
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Conclusion Identification Method
Errors of composition and division
24. 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
Rules for Family #2
Rules for Family #3
Straw Man
Survey errors
25. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Premise Indicators
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Primary Objective #2
Logical negation
26. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Assumption Negation Technique
How to determine the strength of an argument
Errors of conditional reasoning
Justify the conclusion formula
27. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Rules for Family #3
Typical assumption question stems
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
28. 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
Family #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #3
How to attack a causal conclusion
Straw Man
29. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Logical negation
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Method of Reasoning questions
30. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
2 speaker questions
Errors of composition and division
Necessary Condition
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
31. This type of flawed argument attacks the person (or source) instead of the argument they advance. because the LSAT is concerned solely with argument forms - a speaker can never validly attack the character or motives or a person; instead - a speaker
Assumption Negation Technique
Source argument AKA ad hominen
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Conclusion Identification Method
32. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Time shift errors
33. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Errors of composition and division
Mistaken cause and effect
False analogy
34. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
How to determine the strength of an argument
Main Point Questions
Mistaken Reversal
35. 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
Primary Objective #4
2 speaker questions
Rules for Family #2
Logical opposites
36. 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?
Method of Reasoning
Primary Objective #8
Premise definition
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
37. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Mistaken cause and effect
38. 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
Conclusion definition
Mistaken Reversal
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
39. 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
Justify the conclusion formula
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Primary Objective #6
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
40. 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.
Primary Objective #2
Quantity indicators
Straw Man
Weaken question signal words
41. 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?
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Conclusion definition
Rules for Family #1
Mistaken Reversal
42. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Conclusion Identification Method
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Logical opposites
43. 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
Family #4: Disprove
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Causal statements
Time shift errors
44. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Common weakening scenarios
Weakening conditional reasoning
False analogy
Primary Objective #5
45. 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
Family #3: Hurt
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Rules for Family #2
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
46. 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
Premise Indicators
Weaken question signal words
Straw Man
Necessary Condition
47. 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.
Typical assumption question stems
Primary Objective #7
Family #4: Disprove
Premise Indicators
48. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
2 speaker questions
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Time shift errors
49. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
50. 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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