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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. 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
Conclusion definition
Rules for Family #2
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
2. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Mistaken cause and effect
2 roles played by assumptions
False dilemma
3. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
4. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Numbers and percentage errors
Causal statements
Primary Objective #6
5. 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 cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Conclusion Indicators
Quantity indicators
Errors of conditional reasoning
6. 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.
Primary Objective #7
Rules for Family #2
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Logical opposites
7. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Assumption Negation Technique
8. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Rules for Family #3
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
9. 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
Sufficient Condition
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
10. 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 #7
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Counter Premise Indicators
Family #2: Help
11. 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
Primary Objective #1
Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken Negation
Primary Objective #9
12. 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+.
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Mistaken Reversal
How to determine the strength of an argument
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
13. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
14. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #4
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
15. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #5
Counter Premise Indicators
Numbers and percentage errors
16. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Family #2: Help
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
2 roles played by assumptions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
17. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Premise Indicators
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Primary Objective #1
18. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
False dilemma
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Conclusion Identification Method
19. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Justify the conclusion formula
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Family #2: Help
20. 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.
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
21. 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
Premise definition
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Rules for Family #3
22. 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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23. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Survey errors
Mistaken Negation
How to determine the strength of an argument
24. 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
Sufficient Condition
Primary Objective #1
How to attack a causal conclusion
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
25. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Main Point Questions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Primary Objective #8
26. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Assumption Negation Technique
Primary Objective #8
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
27. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Sufficient Condition
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Weakening conditional reasoning
28. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Errors of composition and division
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
29. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Logical opposites
Necessary Condition
'Additional' Premise Indicators
30. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Family #3: Hurt
31. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Errors of composition and division
Primary Objective #9
Family #4: Disprove
How to strengthen an argument
32. 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
Primary Objective #6
Common weakening scenarios
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
33. 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.
Exceptional case/over generalization
Family #1: Prove
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
34. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
35. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Appeal Fallacies
Conclusion definition
36. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Appeal Fallacies
37. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Logical negation
Exceptional case/over generalization
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
38. 1. Stem uses the word 'if' or another sufficient indicator 2. Stem uses the phrase 'allows the conclusion to be properly drawn' or 'enables the conclusion to be properly drawn'. 3. Stem does not lessen the degree of justification. Never uses 'most ju
Sufficient Condition
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Counter Premise Indicators
39. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Causal statements
Primary Objective #8
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
40. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
41. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Straw Man
Causal statements
Central assumption of causal conclusions
42. 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
Appeal Fallacies
False analogy
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Justify the conclusion formula
43. 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
Primary Objective #9
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Counter Premise Indicators
44. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken Negation
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Sufficient Condition
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
46. 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
Primary Objective #6
False dilemma
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
47. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Counter Premise Indicators
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
48. 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.
Sufficient Condition
Primary Objective #7
Family #1: Prove
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Family #2: Help
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
50. 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
Conclusion definition
False analogy
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
3 logical features of conditional reasoning