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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. 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
Method of Reasoning
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
2. 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 -
Logical opposites
Rules for Family #2
Probability indicators
Straw Man
3. 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
Justify the conclusion formula
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Primary Objective #5
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
4. 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
Premise Indicators
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Logical negation
Central assumption of causal conclusions
5. 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
Straw Man
Errors of composition and division
Method of Reasoning
Causal statements
6. 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
Premise Indicators
Common weakening scenarios
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
7. 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?
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Conclusion definition
Logical negation
8. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
2 speaker questions
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
9. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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10. 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
Primary Objective #3
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Counter Premise Indicators
Errors in the use of evidence
11. 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.
Family #1: Prove
How to strengthen an argument
Premise Indicators
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
12. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
13. 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.
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #9
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
14. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Source argument AKA ad hominen
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Survey errors
Family #4: Disprove
15. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Sufficient Condition
Primary Objective #8
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
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
Family #1: Prove
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Family #3: Hurt
17. 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 #9
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Primary Objective #7
False analogy
18. 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
Typical assumption question stems
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #7
Family #3: Hurt
19. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
20. 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
False analogy
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #8
21. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Method of Reasoning questions
22. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
How to attack a causal conclusion
Probability indicators
Errors in the use of evidence
23. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
How to determine the strength of an argument
Family #4: Disprove
24. 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
Primary Objective #9
Mistaken cause and effect
Necessary Condition
Premise definition
25. 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)
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Primary Objective #2
'Additional' Premise Indicators
26. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Exceptional case/over generalization
2 roles played by assumptions
False analogy
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
Numbers and percentage errors
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Method of Reasoning questions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
28. 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
Straw Man
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Appeal Fallacies
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
29. 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
Primary Objective #9
Uncertain use of a term or concept
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Assumption Negation Technique
30. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Weaken question signal words
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Necessary Condition
31. 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
Errors of composition and division
Mistaken cause and effect
Weakening conditional reasoning
Family #1: Prove
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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Causal statements
Central assumption of causal conclusions
33. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Weaken question signal words
Rules for Family #2
Method of Reasoning questions
34. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #2
How to strengthen an argument
35. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Time shift errors
Logical negation
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
36. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Family #4: Disprove
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
37. 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
Premise definition
Probability indicators
Errors of conditional reasoning
Method of Reasoning questions
38. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Premise Indicators
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
39. 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
Typical assumption question stems
Errors of composition and division
Straw Man
Family #2: Help
40. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Circular reasoning
Justify the conclusion formula
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
41. 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?
Premise definition
Justify the conclusion formula
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Logical negation
42. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Main Point Questions
Conclusion Indicators
Method of Reasoning
43. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
2 speaker questions
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
44. 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
Primary Objective #2
2 roles played by assumptions
Premise definition
45. 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
Primary Objective #6
False dilemma
Conclusion Identification Method
46. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Family #3: Hurt
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Conclusion Indicators
47. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Straw Man
48. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Primary Objective #5
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #8
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
49. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
False analogy
Appeal Fallacies
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
50. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #1
Causal statements
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
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