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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 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Primary Objective #7
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #8
2. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Numbers and percentage errors
Sufficient Condition
How to determine the strength of an argument
Straw Man
3. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
False dilemma
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Primary Objective #3
Family #2: Help
4. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Conclusion Indicators
Premise definition
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Premise Indicators
5. 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
Primary Objective #8
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Straw Man
6. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
False dilemma
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
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
Logical opposites
Weaken question signal words
Circular reasoning
Counter Premise Indicators
8. 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 #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #7
Common weakening scenarios
Primary Objective #6
9. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Logical negation
2 speaker questions
Family #4: Disprove
10. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Counter Premise Indicators
Family #4: Disprove
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
11. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
How to determine the strength of an argument
Exceptional case/over generalization
12. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #2
Necessary Condition
Probability indicators
13. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Premise Indicators
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Family #3: Hurt
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
14. 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.
Primary Objective #5
Family #1: Prove
2 roles played by assumptions
False analogy
15. 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 -
Primary Objective #6
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Probability indicators
Family #3: Hurt
16. 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
Primary Objective #9
Primary Objective #2
2 roles played by assumptions
17. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Primary Objective #2
18. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Exceptional case/over generalization
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Central assumption of causal conclusions
19. 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
Rules for Family #1
Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #6
Conclusion Indicators
20. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
2 roles played by assumptions
21. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
How to strengthen an argument
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
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
Survey errors
Rules for Family #3
Method of Reasoning
Rules for Family #1
23. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Rules for Family #2
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Appeal Fallacies
24. 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
Common weakening scenarios
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Exceptional case/over generalization
Assumption Negation Technique
25. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Rules for Family #2
Primary Objective #1
False dilemma
26. 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.
Main Point Questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
False analogy
Primary Objective #8
27. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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28. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #5
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
29. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Logical negation
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Typical assumption question stems
30. 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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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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Rules for Family #1
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Main Point Questions
32. 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
Rules for Family #2
Appeal Fallacies
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Straw Man
33. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Primary Objective #3
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
34. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #9
Conclusion Indicators
Source argument AKA ad hominen
35. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
False dilemma
Primary Objective #2
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
36. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Source argument AKA ad hominen
37. 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.
Survey errors
Assumption Negation Technique
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #7
38. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Logical negation
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
39. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Weakening conditional reasoning
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
40. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #6
False analogy
41. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Circular reasoning
Premise definition
Common weakening scenarios
42. 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.
Family #3: Hurt
Survey errors
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Straw Man
43. 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
Primary Objective #6
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #1
Typical assumption question stems
44. 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
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Conclusion Identification Method
Family #4: Disprove
45. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Family #4: Disprove
How to strengthen an argument
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?
Conclusion definition
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Time shift errors
Justify the conclusion formula
47. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Exceptional case/over generalization
Method of Reasoning questions
Necessary Condition
48. 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
Errors of composition and division
Conclusion definition
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
49. 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.
Quantity indicators
Rules for Family #2
Premise Indicators
Weakening conditional reasoning
50. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #8
Justify the conclusion formula
Conclusion Identification Method