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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. 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
Conclusion Indicators
Necessary Condition
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Circular reasoning
2. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Weakening conditional reasoning
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
3. 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
Primary Objective #6
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
4. 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
Mistaken Negation
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
5. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Errors of conditional reasoning
Premise Indicators
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Family #1: Prove
6. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #1
Straw Man
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
7. 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
Family #2: Help
Counter Premise Indicators
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Family #4: Disprove
8. 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
Primary Objective #6
How to determine the strength of an argument
Causal statements
Errors of conditional reasoning
9. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
2 roles played by assumptions
Family #2: Help
Appeal Fallacies
10. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Errors in the use of evidence
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #3
11. 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
Rules for Family #2
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
How to strengthen an argument
Primary Objective #4
12. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
13. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Method of Reasoning
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
Primary Objective #6
How to attack a causal conclusion
Counter Premise Indicators
Sufficient Condition
15. 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
How to strengthen an argument
False analogy
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Time shift errors
16. 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.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Appeal Fallacies
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Rules for Family #1
17. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Exceptional case/over generalization
18. 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.
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Primary Objective #6
19. 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
Survey errors
Appeal Fallacies
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Exceptional case/over generalization
20. 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
Main Point Questions
Method of Reasoning
Errors of conditional reasoning
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
21. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Necessary Condition
Appeal Fallacies
Rules for Family #3
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
22. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Conclusion Indicators
Logical opposites
Logical negation
Mistaken Negation
23. 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 #7
Primary Objective #3
Common weakening scenarios
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
24. 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 -
Probability indicators
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Family #1: Prove
Primary Objective #7
25. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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26. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
27. 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
2 speaker questions
Conclusion Indicators
Uncertain use of a term or concept
How to attack a causal conclusion
28. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Straw Man
Main Point Questions
Errors of composition and division
Justify the conclusion formula
29. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Causal statements
Time shift errors
Sufficient Condition
30. 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?
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #5
Conclusion definition
Premise Indicators
31. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
Uncertain use of a term or concept
32. 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.
2 speaker questions
Family #1: Prove
Rules for Family #2
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
33. 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
Conclusion definition
Primary Objective #3
Straw Man
Weakening conditional reasoning
34. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Method of Reasoning
Premise Indicators
How to attack a causal conclusion
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
35. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Rules for Family #3
36. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
Primary Objective #6
Assumption Negation Technique
Rules for Family #3
37. 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
Necessary Condition
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Numbers and percentage errors
Mistaken Negation
38. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Common weakening scenarios
39. 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
Family #2: Help
Errors of composition and division
Conclusion Identification Method
40. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
False analogy
Primary Objective #5
Conclusion definition
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
41. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Errors of composition and division
Survey errors
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
42. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Circular reasoning
Conclusion Indicators
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Time shift errors
43. 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?
Family #1: Prove
Conclusion Identification Method
Main Point Questions
44. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #1
Rules for Family #1
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
45. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Counter Premise Indicators
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
46. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Exceptional case/over generalization
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Main Point Questions
47. 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
Main Point Questions
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #3
Rules for Family #1
48. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Appeal Fallacies
Errors of composition and division
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
49. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Primary Objective #6
False analogy
50. 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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