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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. 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.
Logical opposites
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
2 roles played by assumptions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
2. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Justify the conclusion formula
Time shift errors
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
3. 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 dilemma
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Time shift errors
4. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Causal statements
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Conclusion Identification Method
5. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #1
Conclusion definition
False analogy
6. 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
Logical negation
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Mistaken cause and effect
Survey errors
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
Method of Reasoning
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Straw Man
8. 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
Family #2: Help
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Time shift errors
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
9. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Logical negation
2 roles played by assumptions
Sufficient Condition
10. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Typical assumption question stems
Rules for Family #1
Uncertain use of a term or concept
11. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Primary Objective #2
Primary Objective #8
Family #4: Disprove
12. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Conclusion Indicators
Primary Objective #3
13. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Typical assumption question stems
Primary Objective #8
14. 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+.
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Mistaken Reversal
Probability indicators
15. 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.
Primary Objective #3
Rules for Family #1
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Method of Reasoning
16. 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
Premise definition
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Primary Objective #6
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
17. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
False dilemma
Primary Objective #9
Errors of composition and division
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
18. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Weakening conditional reasoning
Method of Reasoning questions
19. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Logical opposites
Common weakening scenarios
Necessary Condition
20. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Premise definition
Conclusion Identification Method
Justify the conclusion formula
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
Conclusion definition
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Rules for Family #3
Family #1: Prove
22. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #4
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Method of Reasoning questions
23. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Main Point Questions
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
24. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Errors of composition and division
Logical opposites
25. 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
Causal statements
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Logical negation
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
26. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Mistaken Negation
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #6
27. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
How to attack a causal conclusion
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
28. 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
Sufficient Condition
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Counter Premise Indicators
Rules for Family #2
29. 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.
Rules for Family #3
Assumption Negation Technique
Time shift errors
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
30. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Survey errors
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Causal statements
How to strengthen an argument
31. 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
Circular reasoning
Rules for Family #2
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
32. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Logical negation
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
33. 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?
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
False dilemma
Conclusion definition
Primary Objective #9
34. 1. The stem uses the word assumption - presupposition or some variation 2. The stem NEVER uses the word 'if' or any other sufficient condition indicator. The stem will likely contain a necessary condition indicator such as required or unless. The cor
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Main Point Questions
Mistaken Reversal
Typical assumption question stems
35. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Weaken question signal words
36. 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
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Mistaken cause and effect
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Primary Objective #1
37. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Method of Reasoning questions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Primary Objective #5
38. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Necessary Condition
Straw Man
Rules for Family #3
39. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Straw Man
40. 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
Logical opposites
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Errors of conditional reasoning
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
41. 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 #8
Assumption Negation Technique
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Primary Objective #7
42. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Numbers and percentage errors
Family #4: Disprove
Causal statements
43. 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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44. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Common weakening scenarios
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Primary Objective #1
Family #2: Help
45. 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
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
46. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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47. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
48. 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.
Time shift errors
Primary Objective #6
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Quantity indicators
49. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Numbers and percentage errors
Assumption Negation Technique
50. 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 #2: Help
Conclusion Identification Method
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Premise definition