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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. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Errors in the use of evidence
Family #1: Prove
Assumption Negation Technique
2. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Exceptional case/over generalization
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Primary Objective #4
Circular reasoning
3. 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.
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Circular reasoning
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Primary Objective #8
4. 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
Quantity indicators
Mistaken Reversal
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
5. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Mistaken cause and effect
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
6. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Time shift errors
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Sufficient Condition
Source argument AKA ad hominen
7. 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
Rules for Family #1
Family #2: Help
Rules for Family #3
Method of Reasoning
8. 1. No conclusion. When a stimulus does not have a conclusion and contains a paradox - expect a Resolve question 2. Language of contradiction exp: but - however - yet - although - paradoxically - surprisingly.
Appeal Fallacies
Source argument AKA ad hominen
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
9. 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
Mistaken Negation
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Conclusion definition
Main Point Questions
10. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Primary Objective #2
Primary Objective #1
Appeal Fallacies
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
11. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Numbers and percentage errors
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
12. 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
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Mistaken Reversal
How to attack a causal conclusion
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
13. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Family #4: Disprove
Premise Indicators
14. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
Primary Objective #3
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Quantity indicators
15. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
How to strengthen an argument
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Primary Objective #6
16. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Counter Premise Indicators
False analogy
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
17. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Primary Objective #9
Family #4: Disprove
Mistaken cause and effect
18. 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+.
False dilemma
Primary Objective #3
Mistaken Reversal
Mistaken Negation
19. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Mistaken Negation
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Logical negation
20. 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
Survey errors
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Straw Man
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
21. 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
Survey errors
Family #3: Hurt
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Common weakening scenarios
22. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Typical assumption question stems
Mistaken Reversal
How to strengthen an argument
23. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Quantity indicators
Common weakening scenarios
Family #3: Hurt
Weaken question signal words
24. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Exceptional case/over generalization
Premise definition
Family #4: Disprove
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
25. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Rules for Family #2
False dilemma
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
26. 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
False dilemma
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
27. 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.
Time shift errors
Family #1: Prove
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Premise Indicators
28. 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?
Conclusion definition
Conclusion Identification Method
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Straw Man
29. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Logical negation
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
30. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Primary Objective #5
Uncertain use of a term or concept
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Assumption Negation Technique
31. 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
Rules for Family #3
How to strengthen an argument
Quantity indicators
2 roles played by assumptions
32. 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
Sufficient Condition
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Logical opposites
Straw Man
33. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Premise definition
Justify the conclusion formula
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Errors in the use of evidence
34. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Method of Reasoning questions
False dilemma
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Rules for Family #3
35. 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
False dilemma
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
36. 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)
Probability indicators
2 roles played by assumptions
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
37. 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
Weaken question signal words
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Family #3: Hurt
38. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #3
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
39. 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
Errors of composition and division
Mistaken cause and effect
Errors in the use of evidence
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
40. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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41. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Weakening conditional reasoning
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Primary Objective #1
42. 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
Survey errors
Primary Objective #1
2 speaker questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
43. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Weaken question signal words
Primary Objective #3
44. 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.
Quantity indicators
Primary Objective #3
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Family #1: Prove
45. 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
Circular reasoning
Premise definition
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Common weakening scenarios
46. 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?
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Premise definition
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
47. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Straw Man
2 speaker questions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
48. 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
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Logical opposites
Circular reasoning
49. 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.
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Mistaken Negation
Logical opposites
50. 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.
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
'Additional' Premise Indicators
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Premise Indicators