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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. 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
Method of Reasoning
Conclusion Identification Method
Premise definition
2. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
False dilemma
Main Point Questions
Straw Man
Common weakening scenarios
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
Primary Objective #9
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Errors of composition and division
How to determine the strength of an argument
4. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Sufficient Condition
Family #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #1
5. 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
Straw Man
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Conclusion Indicators
6. 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
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #2
2 roles played by assumptions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
7. 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
Method of Reasoning
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Straw Man
False dilemma
8. 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?
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #6
Numbers and percentage errors
Conclusion definition
9. 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 Method of Reasoning answers
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Family #1: Prove
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
10. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Primary Objective #9
Exceptional case/over generalization
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
11. 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
Mistaken Reversal
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Necessary Condition
12. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
How to determine the strength of an argument
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Primary Objective #8
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
13. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
False dilemma
Mistaken cause and effect
Time shift errors
14. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Weakening conditional reasoning
Mistaken Negation
15. 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 dilemma
Family #4: Disprove
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Rules for Family #2
16. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
How to strengthen an argument
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
17. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Weaken question signal words
Rules for Family #1
Central assumption of causal conclusions
18. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
False dilemma
Rules for Family #1
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
False analogy
19. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Primary Objective #6
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Rules for Family #2
20. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Primary Objective #1
21. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Method of Reasoning questions
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Weaken question signal words
22. 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
Family #4: Disprove
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Main Point Questions
23. 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?
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Quantity indicators
Justify the conclusion formula
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
Premise Indicators
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Source argument AKA ad hominen
25. 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
Causal statements
Mistaken Reversal
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
2 roles played by assumptions
26. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Primary Objective #5
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
27. 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
Time shift errors
Mistaken Reversal
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
28. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Circular reasoning
Family #3: Hurt
Logical negation
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
29. 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.
Circular reasoning
Straw Man
Primary Objective #7
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
30. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #4
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Errors in the use of evidence
Primary Objective #2
31. 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
Conclusion definition
How to attack a causal conclusion
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Typical assumption question stems
32. 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
Time shift errors
Mistaken Reversal
How to strengthen an argument
Circular reasoning
33. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Central assumption of causal conclusions
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
34. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #2
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Survey errors
35. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #5
36. 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
Primary Objective #3
Circular reasoning
Necessary Condition
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
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
Rules for Family #1
Assumption Negation Technique
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
38. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Conclusion Indicators
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Mistaken cause and effect
39. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Primary Objective #3
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Typical assumption question stems
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
40. 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.
Primary Objective #4
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Mistaken Reversal
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
41. 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
Family #1: Prove
Errors of composition and division
Primary Objective #5
Counter Premise Indicators
42. 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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43. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Justify the conclusion formula
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Primary Objective #6
Exceptional case/over generalization
44. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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45. 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
Primary Objective #9
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken cause and effect
46. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
False analogy
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
47. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Errors of conditional reasoning
Premise Indicators
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
48. 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
Sufficient Condition
Errors of composition and division
Exceptional case/over generalization
Logical negation
49. 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
Errors of composition and division
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
50. 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
Primary Objective #2
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Sufficient Condition