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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. They can be in the premises or conclusion. If they are in the conclusion the argument is flawed. Classic mistaken cause and effect reasoning refers to occurences when a causal assertion is made in the conclusion or the conclusion presumes a causal re
Causal statements
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Necessary Condition
2. 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
2 speaker questions
Logical opposites
Errors in the use of evidence
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
3. 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
Main Point Questions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
How to determine the strength of an argument
4. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Primary Objective #1
5. 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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Conclusion Identification Method
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
6. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Mistaken Negation
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
7. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Conclusion Indicators
Assumption Negation Technique
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Source argument AKA ad hominen
8. 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.
How to strengthen an argument
Probability indicators
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
9. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Probability indicators
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
10. 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
Sufficient Condition
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
11. 1. The sufficient condition does not make the necessary condition occur. That is - the sufficient condition does not actively cause the necessary condition to happen. 2. Temporally speaking - either condition can occur first - or the two conditions c
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Logical opposites
Conclusion Identification Method
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
12. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Family #1: Prove
Primary Objective #8
Primary Objective #6
Probability indicators
13. 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
Premise definition
Rules for Family #2
Primary Objective #9
Primary Objective #7
14. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Weakening conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #3
Conclusion Identification Method
15. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
'Additional' Premise Indicators
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
16. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
How to strengthen an argument
Family #1: Prove
Logical negation
Primary Objective #1
17. 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.
Family #1: Prove
Appeal Fallacies
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Primary Objective #1
18. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Quantity indicators
Survey errors
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
19. 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
False analogy
Conclusion Identification Method
Main Point Questions
Weakening conditional reasoning
20. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
21. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Quantity indicators
Source argument AKA ad hominen
22. 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
Primary Objective #7
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Family #1: Prove
Primary Objective #1
23. 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
Premise definition
Sufficient Condition
Quantity indicators
24. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Errors in the use of evidence
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
25. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #1
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
26. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Rules for Family #3
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
27. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Primary Objective #2
Conclusion Identification Method
Premise definition
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
28. 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
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Rules for Family #1
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
How to attack a causal conclusion
29. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Primary Objective #9
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Family #3: Hurt
30. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Errors of composition and division
Appeal Fallacies
31. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #4
Conclusion Indicators
32. 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.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Causal statements
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
33. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #3
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Quantity indicators
34. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Primary Objective #5
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Typical assumption question stems
35. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #9
False dilemma
Primary Objective #1
36. 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
Necessary Condition
Errors in the use of evidence
Probability indicators
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
37. Quantity: All = 100 Not all = 0-99 Some = 1-100 None = 0 Time: Always - Not always - Sometimes - Never Space: Everywhere - Not everywhere - Somewhere - No where.
Probability indicators
Logical opposites
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
38. 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.
Common weakening scenarios
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Premise Indicators
Logical opposites
39. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Mistaken Negation
Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #8
40. 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?
Family #3: Hurt
Justify the conclusion formula
Method of Reasoning
Premise definition
41. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Causal statements
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Mistaken cause and effect
42. 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.
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Rules for Family #2
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Family #4: Disprove
43. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Survey errors
Logical opposites
44. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Mistaken Reversal
Central assumption of causal conclusions
45. 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
Method of Reasoning
How to attack a causal conclusion
Appeal Fallacies
Family #4: Disprove
46. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
47. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
False dilemma
Appeal Fallacies
48. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Logical opposites
Mistaken Negation
49. 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
Family #2: Help
Counter Premise Indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
50. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #5
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions