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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. 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 -
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
2 roles played by assumptions
Probability indicators
2. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Family #2: Help
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Rules for Family #2
3. 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.
False dilemma
Premise definition
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Primary Objective #7
4. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Appeal Fallacies
Quantity indicators
Numbers and percentage errors
2 speaker questions
5. 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
Mistaken Reversal
Conclusion Identification Method
How to strengthen an argument
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
6. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Time shift errors
Counter Premise Indicators
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Family #3: Hurt
7. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Exceptional case/over generalization
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Rules for Family #2
Premise definition
8. 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 weakening scenarios
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
False dilemma
Primary Objective #1
9. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Premise Indicators
Errors of conditional reasoning
Appeal Fallacies
10. 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
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
How to determine the strength of an argument
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
11. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Conclusion Indicators
Weaken question signal words
Method of Reasoning questions
12. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #4
Mistaken Reversal
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
13. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Premise Indicators
Conclusion definition
Errors in the use of evidence
14. 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
Primary Objective #3
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Weakening conditional reasoning
15. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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16. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #4
17. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
2 speaker questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
18. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Conclusion Indicators
Conclusion definition
Primary Objective #4
Family #2: Help
19. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Family #3: Hurt
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Rules for Family #1
20. 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
Common weakening scenarios
Rules for Family #3
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
21. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
False dilemma
Mistaken Negation
Primary Objective #1
Sufficient Condition
22. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Main Point Questions
2 speaker questions
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
23. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Logical opposites
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
24. 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+.
Premise definition
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Mistaken Reversal
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Typical assumption question stems
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Appeal Fallacies
26. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Weaken question signal words
Primary Objective #2
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
27. 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)
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
2 roles played by assumptions
28. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Primary Objective #9
Typical assumption question stems
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
False dilemma
29. 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 percentages Common misconceptions
Premise definition
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #2
30. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Rules for Family #1
Causal statements
Errors in the use of evidence
31. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Main Point Questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
32. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Central assumption of causal conclusions
33. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Primary Objective #5
Primary Objective #3
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
34. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #1
False analogy
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
35. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Logical opposites
36. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Logical opposites
Exceptional case/over generalization
37. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #1
Mistaken Negation
Justify the conclusion formula
38. 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
Primary Objective #9
Weakening conditional reasoning
Typical assumption question stems
Central assumption of causal conclusions
39. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Exceptional case/over generalization
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Appeal Fallacies
40. 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.
Justify the conclusion formula
Quantity indicators
Rules for Family #1
Primary Objective #6
41. 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
Survey errors
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Errors of composition and division
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
42. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Typical assumption question stems
43. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Main Point Questions
Primary Objective #6
Family #4: Disprove
Weaken question signal words
44. 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 #2
Method of Reasoning questions
Weaken question signal words
Mistaken Reversal
45. 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
Primary Objective #6
2 roles played by assumptions
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
46. As an argument progresses - the author must use each term in a constant - coherent fashion. using a term in different ways is inherently confusing and undermines the integrity of the argument. n
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
47. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Conclusion definition
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Rules for Family #3
48. 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.
Premise Indicators
Family #1: Prove
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Numbers and percentage errors
49. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Errors in the use of evidence
Source argument AKA ad hominen
50. 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
Time shift errors
Straw Man
Primary Objective #6
Errors in the use of evidence