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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. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Family #1: Prove
2 roles played by assumptions
Primary Objective #8
2. 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
Rules for Family #1
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Assumption Negation Technique
Primary Objective #6
3. 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.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Typical assumption question stems
Family #1: Prove
Logical opposites
4. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
'Additional' Premise Indicators
False dilemma
5. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
2 speaker questions
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
6. 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 features of Resolve the Paradox
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Exceptional case/over generalization
7. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #8
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Exceptional case/over generalization
8. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Quantity indicators
2 roles played by assumptions
How to attack a causal conclusion
9. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Weaken question signal words
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
10. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #4
Exceptional case/over generalization
11. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Causal statements
Justify the conclusion formula
Primary Objective #4
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
12. 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.
Primary Objective #5
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Errors of conditional reasoning
13. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Errors of composition and division
Conclusion Indicators
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
14. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
Typical assumption question stems
Assumption Negation Technique
Method of Reasoning
15. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Errors of conditional reasoning
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Rules for Family #2
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
Primary Objective #2
Method of Reasoning
Survey errors
Conclusion Identification Method
17. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Family #1: Prove
How to strengthen an argument
False analogy
18. 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
Logical negation
Family #4: Disprove
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Conclusion Identification Method
19. 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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20. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Numbers and percentage errors
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
21. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Weakening conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #7
Rules for Family #3
Primary Objective #4
22. 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
Rules for Family #2
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #1
23. 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 conditional reasoning
Errors of composition and division
Counter Premise Indicators
Exceptional case/over generalization
24. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
25. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Counter Premise Indicators
26. 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 numerical ideas
Family #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #2
Probability indicators
27. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Primary Objective #1
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
False analogy
28. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken cause and effect
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
29. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
2 roles played by assumptions
Primary Objective #8
Sufficient Condition
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
30. 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
Primary Objective #3
Premise definition
Mistaken Negation
31. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
32. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Assumption Negation Technique
33. 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
Quantity indicators
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
34. 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
Primary Objective #1
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #3
Causal statements
35. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Primary Objective #9
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
36. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Family #4: Disprove
Rules for Family #1
Exceptional case/over generalization
37. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Survey errors
Method of Reasoning questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
38. 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 #3
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
False analogy
39. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Straw Man
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Justify the conclusion formula
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Main Point Questions
Time shift errors
Straw Man
41. 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+.
Causal statements
Mistaken Reversal
Assumption Negation Technique
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
42. 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?
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Premise definition
Justify the conclusion formula
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
Primary Objective #1
Justify the conclusion formula
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
'Additional' Premise Indicators
44. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #3
False dilemma
Mistaken cause and effect
45. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Common weakening scenarios
Family #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #2
46. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
47. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Time shift errors
Conclusion Identification Method
Primary Objective #1
48. 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.
Family #3: Hurt
Primary Objective #7
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
False analogy
49. 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?
Family #2: Help
How to attack a causal conclusion
Method of Reasoning
Conclusion definition
50. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Primary Objective #3
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Family #3: Hurt
Conclusion Identification Method