SUBJECTS
|
BROWSE
|
CAREER CENTER
|
POPULAR
|
JOIN
|
LOGIN
Business Skills
|
Soft Skills
|
Basic Literacy
|
Certifications
About
|
Help
|
Privacy
|
Terms
|
Email
Search
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. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Conclusion Indicators
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Primary Objective #3
Counter Premise Indicators
2. At least on of the two - possibly both.
Warning
: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in
/var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php
on line
183
3. 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 #3
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Causal statements
4. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
'Additional' Premise Indicators
5. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Logical opposites
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Necessary Condition
6. 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.
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Assumption Negation Technique
7. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
2 speaker questions
8. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Conclusion Indicators
Causal statements
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Errors of conditional reasoning
9. 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 -
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Probability indicators
Mistaken Negation
Primary Objective #6
10. 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
Quantity indicators
Primary Objective #4
Causal statements
11. 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
Family #2: Help
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Rules for Family #3
Primary Objective #7
12. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
Appeal Fallacies
Conclusion Indicators
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
13. 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.
Necessary Condition
Primary Objective #5
Quantity indicators
How to determine the strength of an argument
14. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #6
Rules for Family #3
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
15. 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
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Quantity indicators
Weaken question signal words
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
16. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Assumption Negation Technique
Straw Man
17. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Method of Reasoning
Primary Objective #6
Family #3: Hurt
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
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.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Method of Reasoning
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Errors in the use of evidence
19. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #3
20. 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
Weaken question signal words
Rules for Family #2
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
21. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Primary Objective #4
Straw Man
Primary Objective #8
Method of Reasoning questions
22. 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.
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Premise Indicators
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
23. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Premise Indicators
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
24. 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
Family #4: Disprove
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
25. 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
Primary Objective #7
How to strengthen an argument
False analogy
Rules for Family #3
26. 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 in the use of evidence
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
27. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Primary Objective #9
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
28. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Errors of conditional reasoning
Family #3: Hurt
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Premise definition
29. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Primary Objective #2
Causal statements
Errors of conditional reasoning
30. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Errors of conditional reasoning
Conclusion Identification Method
False dilemma
31. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Appeal Fallacies
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
32. 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
Errors of composition and division
How to strengthen an argument
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Family #3: Hurt
33. 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 #6
Common weakening scenarios
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
34. 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+.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Mistaken Reversal
2 roles played by assumptions
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
35. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Primary Objective #5
How to strengthen an argument
Premise definition
Justify the conclusion formula
36. 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
Family #4: Disprove
Method of Reasoning
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Appeal Fallacies
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
Mistaken Negation
Family #3: Hurt
Numbers and percentage errors
Weakening conditional reasoning
38. 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
Main Point Questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #9
Conclusion Identification Method
39. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Primary Objective #1
Errors of conditional reasoning
Mistaken Negation
Errors in the use of evidence
40. 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)
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Errors in the use of evidence
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
41. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
42. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #9
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Family #3: Hurt
43. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #7
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Errors in the use of evidence
Mistaken Negation
Conclusion Identification Method
45. 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
Family #2: Help
Mistaken cause and effect
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
46. 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
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Conclusion Identification Method
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
47. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
How to strengthen an argument
Family #4: Disprove
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #6
48. 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
Straw Man
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
49. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Survey errors
Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #1
50. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Resolve the Paradox question stem features