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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. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Primary Objective #3
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Primary Objective #1
Straw Man
2. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Primary Objective #8
Appeal Fallacies
Causal statements
Primary Objective #7
3. 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
Time shift errors
Necessary Condition
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
4. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Premise Indicators
Rules for Family #2
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
5. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Rules for Family #2
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Conclusion Indicators
Quantity indicators
6. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Errors in the use of evidence
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
'Additional' Premise Indicators
7. 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
Rules for Family #2
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
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
Weaken question signal words
Conclusion Identification Method
Primary Objective #5
2 roles played by assumptions
9. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Survey errors
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #2
Errors in the use of evidence
10. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Rules for Family #3
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
11. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Family #1: Prove
Assumption Negation Technique
Family #4: Disprove
False analogy
12. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Mistaken cause and effect
2 roles played by assumptions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
13. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #4
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Primary Objective #3
14. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Primary Objective #1
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #5
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
15. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Exceptional case/over generalization
Mistaken cause and effect
Logical opposites
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
16. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Primary Objective #3
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Sufficient Condition
17. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Method of Reasoning questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
18. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Justify the conclusion formula
Rules for Family #2
19. 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.
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #7
Mistaken Reversal
Common weakening scenarios
20. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Assumption Negation Technique
Conclusion Identification Method
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
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Primary Objective #7
Mistaken Negation
Errors in the use of evidence
22. 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.
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Family #1: Prove
Assumption Negation Technique
How to determine the strength of an argument
23. 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
False analogy
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Main Point Questions
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
24. 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.
Premise Indicators
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Probability indicators
25. 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?
Causal statements
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Time shift errors
Conclusion definition
26. 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 identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Premise definition
Survey errors
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
27. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Exceptional case/over generalization
Weakening conditional reasoning
Straw Man
28. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Probability indicators
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Family #2: Help
Weakening conditional reasoning
29. 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 -
Time shift errors
Conclusion Identification Method
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Probability indicators
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
Primary Objective #4
Errors of conditional reasoning
Conclusion Indicators
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
31. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Primary Objective #5
Family #2: Help
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
32. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
33. 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
Errors of composition and division
Justify the conclusion formula
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Mistaken cause and effect
34. 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
Main Point Questions
Primary Objective #7
False analogy
Family #2: Help
35. 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
Sufficient Condition
Rules for Family #2
Errors of composition and division
36. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #9
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
37. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Primary Objective #6
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Method of Reasoning
38. 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+.
Primary Objective #5
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #6
Mistaken Reversal
39. 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.
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
False dilemma
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Premise Indicators
40. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Time shift errors
Method of Reasoning questions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
41. 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
Rules for Family #2
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
42. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Exceptional case/over generalization
Family #4: Disprove
2 speaker questions
Necessary Condition
43. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Uncertain use of a term or concept
How to determine the strength of an argument
Time shift errors
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
2 roles played by assumptions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Errors of conditional reasoning
Conclusion definition
45. 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
False analogy
Primary Objective #9
How to determine the strength of an argument
46. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Main Point Questions
Rules for Family #1
Numbers and percentage errors
Family #2: Help
47. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Typical assumption question stems
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Exceptional case/over generalization
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
48. 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
Circular reasoning
Mistaken Reversal
Method of Reasoning
Errors in the use of evidence
49. 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'
Conclusion definition
Family #1: Prove
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
50. 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
Weaken question signal words
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Method of Reasoning questions
Weakening conditional reasoning