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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. 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
Time shift errors
Conclusion Indicators
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Errors of conditional reasoning
2. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Rules for Family #3
Conclusion definition
Family #3: Hurt
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
3. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Conclusion definition
How to determine the strength of an argument
Justify the conclusion formula
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
4. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #7
Uncertain use of a term or concept
5. 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.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #7
Numbers and percentage errors
6. 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 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Survey errors
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
7. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Probability indicators
Mistaken Negation
How to attack a causal conclusion
Quantity indicators
8. 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
How to strengthen an argument
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
2 speaker questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
9. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #4
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
How to attack a causal conclusion
10. 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
Justify the conclusion formula
Survey errors
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
11. 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
False analogy
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Weaken question signal words
12. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Primary Objective #9
Errors of composition and division
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
13. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #3
Probability indicators
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
14. 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 determine the strength of an argument
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
How to attack a causal conclusion
15. 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 #3
Weakening conditional reasoning
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Premise definition
16. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Primary Objective #9
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
17. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
False dilemma
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
18. 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
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Straw Man
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Conclusion Indicators
19. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
20. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Rules for Family #3
Errors of composition and division
21. 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
Primary Objective #1
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Method of Reasoning
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
22. 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
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #2
Rules for Family #3
23. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Rules for Family #1
Main Point Questions
Sufficient Condition
24. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
25. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
2 speaker questions
Mistaken Negation
Primary Objective #8
26. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Family #1: Prove
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Main Point Questions
27. 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
Causal statements
Method of Reasoning questions
Counter Premise Indicators
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
28. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Common weakening scenarios
Necessary Condition
Weaken question signal words
29. 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
Rules for Family #1
Family #2: Help
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Premise definition
30. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #7
Counter Premise Indicators
31. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
Justify the conclusion formula
Primary Objective #4
32. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Necessary Condition
Errors of conditional reasoning
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
33. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Errors of composition and division
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Family #1: Prove
34. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Primary Objective #9
Primary Objective #5
Quantity indicators
Common weakening scenarios
35. 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.
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Premise definition
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
36. 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.
Errors in the use of evidence
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Appeal Fallacies
37. 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
Primary Objective #7
Primary Objective #6
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
38. Weaken - attack - undermine - refute - argue against - call into question - cast doubt - challenge - damage - counter - When evaluating answers ask yourself: 'Would this answer choice make the author reconsider his position or force the author to res
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Sufficient Condition
Weaken question signal words
Probability indicators
39. 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.
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Family #1: Prove
40. 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
2 speaker questions
Primary Objective #4
Mistaken Reversal
Method of Reasoning questions
41. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Logical negation
Counter Premise Indicators
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
42. 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
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Numbers and percentage errors
Method of Reasoning
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
43. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #5
2 roles played by assumptions
Primary Objective #1
44. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Primary Objective #4
Method of Reasoning
Primary Objective #6
45. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Family #2: Help
2 roles played by assumptions
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Central assumption of causal conclusions
46. 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
Primary Objective #4
Mistaken Reversal
How to strengthen an argument
Circular reasoning
47. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Weaken question signal words
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
48. 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+.
Mistaken Reversal
Weaken question signal words
Premise Indicators
'Additional' Premise Indicators
49. 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
Probability indicators
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Family #3: Hurt
Mistaken cause and effect
50. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Primary Objective #3
Family #1: Prove
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Errors in the use of evidence