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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. 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
Circular reasoning
Mistaken Negation
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #1
2. 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
Primary Objective #7
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
'Additional' Premise Indicators
How to determine the strength of an argument
3. 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
Justify the conclusion formula
Primary Objective #4
Time shift errors
4. 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
Primary Objective #5
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Mistaken cause and effect
Logical opposites
5. 1. The stimulus will almost always contain an argument you must identify - isolate and assess the premises and the conclusion of the argument 2. Focus on the conclusion. Almost all correct answer choices impact the conclusion 3. The info in the stimu
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Errors of conditional reasoning
Assumption Negation Technique
6. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
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?
Family #4: Disprove
7. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Primary Objective #6
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Method of Reasoning
Time shift errors
8. 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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Time shift errors
'Additional' Premise Indicators
9. 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)
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Counter Premise Indicators
10. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #3
Straw Man
Rules for Family #3
11. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
How to strengthen an argument
Assumption Negation Technique
12. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Necessary Condition
Family #3: Hurt
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
13. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Probability indicators
Mistaken Negation
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
14. 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
Probability indicators
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #4
Mistaken cause and effect
15. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Sufficient Condition
Errors of composition and division
Rules for Family #2
16. 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?
False dilemma
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Method of Reasoning
17. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Primary Objective #4
Counter Premise Indicators
Straw Man
18. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
2 speaker questions
Logical negation
How to strengthen an argument
Appeal Fallacies
19. 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+.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Mistaken Reversal
How to attack a causal conclusion
Exceptional case/over generalization
20. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #9
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
21. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Quantity indicators
Errors in the use of evidence
22. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Time shift errors
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
23. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Errors of conditional reasoning
Method of Reasoning
Rules for Family #1
24. 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
Circular reasoning
Conclusion definition
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
False dilemma
25. 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
Primary Objective #8
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Premise Indicators
26. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
2 speaker questions
Rules for Family #1
Weaken question signal words
27. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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28. 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
Justify the conclusion formula
Exceptional case/over generalization
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
29. 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
Premise definition
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Errors in the use of evidence
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
30. 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
Primary Objective #1
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Weakening conditional reasoning
31. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Family #2: Help
Rules for Family #1
Rules for Family #2
32. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Premise definition
Justify the conclusion formula
Method of Reasoning questions
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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
How to attack a causal conclusion
34. 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
Quantity indicators
Family #4: Disprove
Appeal Fallacies
Survey errors
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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Probability indicators
Exceptional case/over generalization
36. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #4
Rules for Family #2
Circular reasoning
Survey errors
37. 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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38. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Appeal Fallacies
Mistaken Negation
Uncertain use of a term or concept
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.
Errors of composition and division
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
40. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #3
Primary Objective #7
Straw Man
41. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Family #2: Help
Causal statements
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
42. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
False analogy
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
43. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Necessary Condition
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Method of Reasoning
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
2 roles played by assumptions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
45. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Primary Objective #4
46. 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
Primary Objective #4
Time shift errors
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Conclusion Identification Method
47. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Exceptional case/over generalization
Family #4: Disprove
Errors in the use of evidence
'Additional' Premise Indicators
48. Refer to the amount or quantity in the relationship. Examples: (do not need to memorize) all - every - most - many - several - sole - only - not all - none - few.
Quantity indicators
2 roles played by assumptions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
49. 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
Circular reasoning
Logical opposites
Family #4: Disprove
Method of Reasoning
50. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
2 roles played by assumptions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
False dilemma