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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. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #5
Conclusion Indicators
2. 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
Logical opposites
Weakening conditional reasoning
Logical negation
Method of 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
Survey errors
Sufficient Condition
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
4. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Appeal Fallacies
How to attack a causal conclusion
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
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
Circular reasoning
Family #1: Prove
Straw Man
How to strengthen an argument
6. 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
Common weakening scenarios
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Necessary Condition
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
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
How to strengthen an argument
Mistaken Negation
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
2 speaker questions
8. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #6
Family #1: Prove
9. 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.
Primary Objective #1
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Primary Objective #7
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
10. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Primary Objective #1
Necessary Condition
11. 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
Weaken question signal words
Family #4: Disprove
Mistaken Negation
Rules for Family #1
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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
13. 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 identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
How to strengthen an argument
Primary Objective #9
14. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Premise definition
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
False dilemma
Survey errors
15. 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
2 speaker questions
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Appeal Fallacies
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
16. 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.
Straw Man
Family #1: Prove
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Quantity indicators
17. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Quantity indicators
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #3
18. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Family #4: Disprove
Conclusion definition
False analogy
19. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Premise Indicators
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
20. 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
Conclusion Indicators
2 speaker questions
Survey errors
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
21. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #6
Logical opposites
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Primary Objective #3
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
23. 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
Weaken question signal words
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Sufficient Condition
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
24. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Mistaken Negation
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
How to attack a causal conclusion
Conclusion definition
25. 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.
How to strengthen an argument
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Rules for Family #1
26. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Family #3: Hurt
Primary Objective #2
Premise definition
27. A. Eliminate any alternate causes for the stated effect. B. Show that when the cause occurs - the effect occurs. C. Show that when the cause does not occur - the effect does not occur. D. Eliminate the possility that the stated relationship is revers
Straw Man
Uncertain use of a term or concept
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Conclusion definition
28. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Numbers and percentage errors
Errors of composition and division
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
29. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Mistaken Reversal
Probability indicators
30. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Primary Objective #8
Method of Reasoning
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Necessary Condition
31. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Main Point Questions
Family #3: Hurt
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Mistaken cause and effect
32. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Justify the conclusion formula
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Numbers and percentage errors
2 roles played by assumptions
33. 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.
Justify the conclusion formula
How to determine the strength of an argument
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Logical opposites
34. 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
Mistaken Reversal
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Quantity indicators
Primary Objective #6
35. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
Logical negation
Exceptional case/over generalization
Main Point Questions
36. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
How to strengthen an argument
Time shift errors
Conclusion Indicators
37. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
'Additional' Premise Indicators
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
38. 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
Rules for Family #3
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Primary Objective #6
Logical opposites
39. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Causal statements
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
40. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #6
Circular reasoning
Mistaken cause and effect
41. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Primary Objective #2
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Family #3: Hurt
42. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Rules for Family #2
Premise Indicators
Conclusion Indicators
43. 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 #8
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Exceptional case/over generalization
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
44. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Logical opposites
Mistaken Negation
Primary Objective #3
45. 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
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Method of Reasoning questions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
46. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
How to determine the strength of an argument
Errors in the use of evidence
Causal statements
47. 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 percentage ideas
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
48. 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
Primary Objective #2
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Weaken question signal words
49. 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
Justify the conclusion formula
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
50. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Primary Objective #9
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Words used to introduce a necessary condition