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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. 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
Errors of composition and division
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Exceptional case/over generalization
2. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Premise definition
Primary Objective #1
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
3. 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.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Conclusion definition
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
4. 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.
Primary Objective #3
Circular reasoning
Premise Indicators
Causal statements
5. 1. If conditional statements are linked together in the argument - the correct answer choice for an assumption question will typically supply a missing link in the chain or the contrapositive to that link. 2. If you see a conditional conclusion and t
Conclusion Indicators
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Premise Indicators
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Exceptional case/over generalization
7. 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
Primary Objective #6
Primary Objective #4
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
8. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Mistaken Negation
Primary Objective #3
2 speaker questions
9. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Conclusion definition
False dilemma
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Errors of conditional reasoning
10. 1. if you recognize the form of reasoning used in the stimulus (causal - conditional - etc.) immediately attack the answers and search for the answer with similar reasoning (analogy - circular reasoning) 2. The Conclusion - match the conclusions - to
2 roles played by assumptions
Typical assumption question stems
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
11. 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
Logical negation
Primary Objective #8
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Rules for Family #1
12. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Justify the conclusion formula
How to strengthen an argument
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
13. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #4
Survey errors
Errors of composition and division
14. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Family #2: Help
Mistaken cause and effect
Straw Man
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
Rules for Family #2
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #4
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
16. 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
Survey errors
Quantity indicators
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Conclusion Identification Method
17. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Primary Objective #3
Errors of composition and division
False dilemma
Primary Objective #4
18. 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
Primary Objective #5
Errors of composition and division
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Weaken question signal words
19. 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 a sufficient condition
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Typical assumption question stems
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
20. 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?
Rules for Family #2
Errors of composition and division
Conclusion definition
Family #4: Disprove
21. 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
Mistaken Reversal
Quantity indicators
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Weaken question signal words
22. 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.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Rules for Family #3
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Primary Objective #7
23. 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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Primary Objective #4
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Assumption Negation Technique
24. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Weakening conditional reasoning
Circular reasoning
25. 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
Primary Objective #1
Family #3: Hurt
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
26. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
2 speaker questions
Survey errors
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
27. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Necessary Condition
Weakening conditional reasoning
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
28. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
How to strengthen an argument
Straw Man
29. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #5
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
30. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
Main Point Questions
Primary Objective #1
Counter Premise Indicators
31. 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
Method of Reasoning
Primary Objective #7
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
32. 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
Method of Reasoning
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
2 roles played by assumptions
33. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Conclusion Indicators
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
34. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Numbers and percentage errors
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #2
35. 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
Straw Man
Method of Reasoning
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Appeal Fallacies
36. 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 determine the strength of an argument
Causal statements
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Weaken question signal words
37. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Family #4: Disprove
38. 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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39. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Probability indicators
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Justify the conclusion formula
Assumption Negation Technique
40. Involves judgements made about groups and parts of a group. an error or composition occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of part of the group to the group as a whole or to each member of the group Error of division - author attributes c
Errors of composition and division
Conclusion Identification Method
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Errors of conditional reasoning
41. 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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Premise Indicators
Sufficient Condition
42. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #9
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
43. 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.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
How to determine the strength of an argument
Method of Reasoning
Logical opposites
44. 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 percentage ideas
How to attack a causal conclusion
Family #3: Hurt
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
45. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Primary Objective #8
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #2
46. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Conclusion Identification Method
Numbers and percentage errors
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
47. 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
Family #2: Help
Appeal Fallacies
Causal statements
Justify the conclusion formula
48. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Premise Indicators
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Rules for Family #3
49. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Primary Objective #6
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
How to determine the strength of an argument
50. 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.
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Time shift errors
Family #1: Prove
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions