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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. 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.
Assumption Negation Technique
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Circular reasoning
Conclusion definition
2. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Assumption Negation Technique
Errors of conditional reasoning
Conclusion Identification Method
3. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Counter Premise Indicators
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Survey errors
4. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Quantity indicators
Family #2: Help
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
5. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Premise definition
False analogy
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
6. 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
Logical opposites
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Source argument AKA ad hominen
7. 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
Primary Objective #8
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #9
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
8. 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 -
False analogy
Probability indicators
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
9. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Primary Objective #4
Primary Objective #6
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
10. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Primary Objective #4
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Primary Objective #2
Circular reasoning
11. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
2 roles played by assumptions
Family #4: Disprove
12. 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.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Rules for Family #1
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Circular reasoning
13. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Primary Objective #3
Premise definition
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Counter Premise Indicators
14. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Counter Premise Indicators
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Method of Reasoning
15. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
16. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #8
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
False analogy
17. 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
Necessary Condition
Straw Man
Errors of composition and division
Logical opposites
18. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
19. Take the statements under consideration and place them in an arrangement that forces once to be the conclusion and the other(s) to be the premise (s). Use premise and conclusion indicators to achieve this end. Once the pieces are arranged - determine
Conclusion Identification Method
Weakening conditional reasoning
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Typical assumption question stems
20. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Weaken question signal words
2 speaker questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
21. 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.
Common weakening scenarios
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Family #1: Prove
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
22. 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
Rules for Family #1
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Family #1: Prove
Main Point Questions
23. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Primary Objective #3
24. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Assumption Negation Technique
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Logical negation
25. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Quantity indicators
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
26. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Method of Reasoning questions
Rules for Family #1
27. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Numbers and percentage errors
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
How to determine the strength of an argument
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
28. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Logical negation
Errors of conditional reasoning
Method of Reasoning
29. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Survey errors
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #5
Source argument AKA ad hominen
30. 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
Premise Indicators
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Uncertain use of a term or concept
31. 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?
How to strengthen an argument
Weakening conditional reasoning
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Premise definition
32. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Appeal Fallacies
Rules for Family #1
Primary Objective #8
33. 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 definition
Primary Objective #1
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Common weakening scenarios
34. 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.
Conclusion Indicators
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Probability indicators
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
35. 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.
Premise Indicators
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
2 roles played by assumptions
Probability indicators
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
Time shift errors
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
How to determine the strength of an argument
Rules for Family #2
37. 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+.
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Mistaken Reversal
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
38. 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
Logical opposites
Mistaken Negation
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Exceptional case/over generalization
39. 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.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
How to determine the strength of an argument
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
40. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Straw Man
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
41. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Straw Man
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Premise Indicators
42. 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
Survey errors
Primary Objective #1
False analogy
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
43. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Logical opposites
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Family #4: Disprove
Straw Man
44. 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 attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #2
Probability indicators
45. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #9
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
46. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Logical negation
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #9
47. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Primary Objective #3
Counter Premise Indicators
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
48. 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 #9
Primary Objective #7
Circular reasoning
Assumption Negation Technique
49. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
How to attack a causal conclusion
Premise definition
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
50. 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 #5
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Primary Objective #7
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers