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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. 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?
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Premise definition
2. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Errors of composition and division
3. 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+.
Sufficient Condition
Mistaken Reversal
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #3
4. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Mistaken Negation
2 roles played by assumptions
Straw Man
5. 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
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
2 speaker questions
Time shift errors
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
6. 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
Family #4: Disprove
Typical assumption question stems
Mistaken cause and effect
7. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Circular reasoning
Logical opposites
8. 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.
Weakening conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #4
Justify the conclusion formula
Quantity indicators
9. 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
Conclusion definition
Errors in the use of evidence
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
10. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Primary Objective #9
Uncertain use of a term or concept
11. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Typical assumption question stems
Primary Objective #4
How to attack a causal conclusion
12. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
False analogy
Primary Objective #5
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
How to strengthen an argument
13. 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.
False dilemma
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Necessary Condition
14. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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15. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Conclusion definition
Method of Reasoning questions
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
16. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Justify the conclusion formula
Family #4: Disprove
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
17. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Exceptional case/over generalization
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Family #3: Hurt
18. 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.
Quantity indicators
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
19. 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
Causal statements
Logical negation
Necessary Condition
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
20. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Logical negation
Primary Objective #6
Errors in the use of evidence
21. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Counter Premise Indicators
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Rules for Family #2
22. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Numbers and percentage errors
Method of Reasoning
False analogy
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
23. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Circular reasoning
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #2
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
24. 1. Stimulus will contain an argument. Must isolate and identify and assess the premises and the conclusion. 2. Focus on the conclusion. Almost all correct Weaken answers impact the conclusion. 3. The info in the stimulus is suspect. There are often r
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Rules for Family #1
Method of Reasoning
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
25. 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 strengthen an argument
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Necessary Condition
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
Primary Objective #6
How to strengthen an argument
Assumption Negation Technique
Rules for Family #3
27. 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 #8
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Necessary Condition
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
28. 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.
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Primary Objective #7
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Rules for Family #1
29. 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
Causal statements
Method of Reasoning questions
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
30. 1. Incomplete info. The author fails to consider all of the possibilities or relies upon evidence that is incomplete. This flaw can be attacked by bringing up new possibilities or info. 2. Improper comparison. The author attempts to compare two or mo
Common weakening scenarios
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
False analogy
31. 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
Mistaken Negation
False analogy
Mistaken cause and effect
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
32. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Rules for Family #3
Appeal Fallacies
Errors of composition and division
33. 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
Sufficient Condition
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Conclusion Identification Method
Method of Reasoning
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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Rules for Family #1
Exceptional case/over generalization
Conclusion Identification Method
35. 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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36. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
Mistaken Negation
Conclusion definition
Weakening conditional reasoning
37. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #2
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
38. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
False dilemma
Justify the conclusion formula
39. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Family #2: Help
Conclusion definition
2 roles played by assumptions
40. 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
Primary Objective #2
Logical opposites
Straw Man
Family #4: Disprove
41. Refer to the likelihood of occurence or the obligation present - as in 'The mayor should resign.' 'the law will never pass.' Examples: (do not need to memorize) must - will - always - not always - probably - likely - would - never - rarely - could -
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Primary Objective #5
Probability indicators
42. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Justify the conclusion formula
Primary Objective #4
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Conclusion Indicators
43. 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
Circular reasoning
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
2 roles played by assumptions
44. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Time shift errors
Primary Objective #1
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Rules for Family #1
45. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
False dilemma
Primary Objective #6
Primary Objective #5
2 roles played by assumptions
46. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
47. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Primary Objective #1
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
48. 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
Probability indicators
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Survey errors
Straw Man
49. 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
Conclusion Indicators
Logical negation
Typical assumption question stems
Premise Indicators
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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #5
Rules for Family #2
Typical assumption question stems