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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. 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
Primary Objective #7
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Primary Objective #9
2. 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
Primary Objective #8
2 speaker questions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
3. 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
Main Point Questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
4. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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5. 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
Causal statements
Counter Premise Indicators
Method of Reasoning
Mistaken Reversal
6. 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.
Primary Objective #9
Rules for Family #3
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
2 roles played by assumptions
7. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Primary Objective #6
Survey errors
8. 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.
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Primary Objective #4
Mistaken Reversal
Errors of conditional reasoning
9. 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
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Sufficient Condition
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
10. 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
Quantity indicators
Rules for Family #2
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
11. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Rules for Family #3
Primary Objective #2
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
12. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Primary Objective #9
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
13. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #8
Method of Reasoning
14. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Conclusion Identification Method
15. 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+.
2 speaker questions
Mistaken Reversal
Primary Objective #1
Errors in the use of evidence
16. 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
Primary Objective #7
Logical negation
Method of Reasoning questions
17. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Mistaken Negation
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Family #1: Prove
18. 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
Causal statements
Errors in the use of evidence
Justify the conclusion formula
Primary Objective #5
19. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Weakening conditional reasoning
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Appeal Fallacies
20. 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
Family #2: Help
Conclusion Identification Method
Logical opposites
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
21. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Method of Reasoning questions
Weaken question signal words
Logical opposites
Primary Objective #8
22. 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
Logical opposites
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Mistaken cause and effect
23. 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 causality: typical correct answer categories
Rules for Family #2
Numbers and percentage errors
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
24. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Common weakening scenarios
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Primary Objective #1
25. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Typical assumption question stems
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Logical opposites
26. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Method of Reasoning
Family #4: Disprove
27. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Necessary Condition
False analogy
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
28. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Justify the conclusion formula
Straw Man
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
29. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Numbers and percentage errors
Premise definition
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Sufficient Condition
30. 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
Rules for Family #1
Sufficient Condition
Premise Indicators
Justify the conclusion formula
31. 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.
Quantity indicators
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Typical assumption question stems
32. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Sufficient Condition
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
33. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Typical assumption question stems
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Primary Objective #3
Mistaken Reversal
34. 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.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #8
Assumption Negation Technique
35. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Survey errors
2 speaker questions
36. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
2 roles played by assumptions
How to determine the strength of an argument
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Common weakening scenarios
37. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Justify the conclusion formula
Method of Reasoning questions
Family #2: Help
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
38. 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
Mistaken Negation
Counter Premise Indicators
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
How to determine the strength of an argument
39. 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 Reversal
Exceptional case/over generalization
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
40. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Causal statements
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
False dilemma
Rules for Family #2
41. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Conclusion Identification Method
Conclusion Indicators
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
42. 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 -
False dilemma
Probability indicators
Mistaken Reversal
Primary Objective #8
43. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Common weakening scenarios
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
44. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Rules for Family #2
False analogy
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
45. 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
Necessary Condition
How to attack a causal conclusion
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Typical assumption question stems
46. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Time shift errors
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
47. 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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48. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Sufficient Condition
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
49. 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
False analogy
Primary Objective #2
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
50. 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 #6
Logical opposites
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions