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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. 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
Family #3: Hurt
Common weakening scenarios
Main Point Questions
Primary Objective #7
2. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Mistaken Negation
Numbers and percentage errors
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Justify the conclusion formula
3. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Family #4: Disprove
Conclusion Indicators
Source argument AKA ad hominen
4. 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
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
'Additional' Premise Indicators
5. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Method of Reasoning
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Sufficient Condition
6. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Rules for Family #3
Weaken question signal words
Primary Objective #2
7. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Conclusion Indicators
8. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Errors in the use of evidence
Central assumption of causal conclusions
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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #2
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
10. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Probability indicators
How to strengthen an argument
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
11. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Family #4: Disprove
Premise Indicators
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
12. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Weaken question signal words
Typical assumption question stems
13. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Primary Objective #2
Main Point Questions
Primary Objective #9
Family #2: Help
14. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Uncertain use of a term or concept
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
15. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Family #4: Disprove
Central assumption of causal conclusions
16. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Numbers and percentage errors
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
False dilemma
17. 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
How to strengthen an argument
How to determine the strength of an argument
Errors of composition and division
18. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Family #1: Prove
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
2 roles played by assumptions
19. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
False dilemma
Rules for Family #2
Primary Objective #5
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
20. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Circular reasoning
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Primary Objective #4
21. 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.
Mistaken Reversal
Premise Indicators
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Primary Objective #7
22. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Conclusion definition
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Primary Objective #5
Rules for Family #1
23. 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
Survey errors
Conclusion Identification Method
How to determine the strength of an argument
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
Survey errors
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Family #4: Disprove
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
25. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Premise Indicators
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Numbers and percentage errors
26. 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?
Causal statements
Premise definition
Primary Objective #2
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
27. 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
Justify the conclusion formula
False analogy
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
28. They h ave failed to fully and accurately identify the conclusion of the argument. If a conclusion is present - you MUST identify it prior to proceeding on to the question stem.
Errors of composition and division
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Rules for Family #1
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
29. 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.
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Premise Indicators
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
30. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Common weakening scenarios
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
31. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Mistaken cause and effect
Necessary Condition
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #4
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
Circular reasoning
Causal statements
Errors of conditional reasoning
Mistaken Negation
33. 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
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #8
Counter Premise Indicators
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
34. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Primary Objective #8
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #5
Premise definition
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. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Conclusion Indicators
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Errors of composition and division
Premise Indicators
37. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #3
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
38. 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.
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
39. 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
Premise definition
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Family #1: Prove
40. 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
Family #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #3
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
41. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
False analogy
Appeal Fallacies
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
42. 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 identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Logical opposites
How to attack a causal conclusion
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
43. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Errors of conditional reasoning
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
44. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Logical opposites
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Family #2: Help
45. 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
Mistaken Reversal
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Rules for Family #2
Exceptional case/over generalization
46. 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?
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Conclusion definition
Circular reasoning
'Additional' Premise Indicators
47. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Premise Indicators
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Typical assumption question stems
Primary Objective #1
48. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Conclusion Indicators
Conclusion Identification Method
Assumption Negation Technique
49. 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 #2: Help
Main Point Questions
Family #1: Prove
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
50. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
How to strengthen an argument
Primary Objective #3
Mistaken cause and effect
Logical opposites