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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. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Family #3: Hurt
Conclusion definition
Mistaken cause and effect
2. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Quantity indicators
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Rules for Family #1
3. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Rules for Family #1
How to strengthen an argument
4. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Mistaken Negation
Family #2: Help
Typical assumption question stems
5. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Errors of composition and division
6. 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
Rules for Family #1
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Primary Objective #7
7. 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
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
2 roles played by assumptions
Rules for Family #2
Logical negation
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.
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #9
Primary Objective #1
Logical negation
9. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
How to determine the strength of an argument
Logical opposites
Weakening conditional reasoning
10. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #5
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
11. 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
Family #3: Hurt
Exceptional case/over generalization
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #3
12. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Uncertain use of a term or concept
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
13. 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.
Time shift errors
Quantity indicators
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Family #4: Disprove
14. 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.
Survey errors
Primary Objective #2
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Premise Indicators
15. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Assumption Negation Technique
Numbers and percentage errors
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
16. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Family #3: Hurt
Counter Premise Indicators
17. 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.
Primary Objective #9
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Common weakening scenarios
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+.
Rules for Family #3
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Mistaken Reversal
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
19. 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
Quantity indicators
Justify the conclusion formula
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
'Additional' Premise Indicators
20. 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.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Premise definition
Premise Indicators
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
21. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Primary Objective #7
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Causal statements
22. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Counter Premise Indicators
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
23. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
False analogy
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
How to strengthen an argument
24. 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
Circular reasoning
Weaken question signal words
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
25. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Mistaken Negation
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
26. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Primary Objective #3
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
2 speaker questions
27. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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28. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #6
Sufficient Condition
Rules for Family #1
29. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Family #3: Hurt
Family #2: Help
'Additional' Premise Indicators
30. 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 solve Justify questions mechanistically
Necessary Condition
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
31. 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 #4
Errors of composition and division
Causal statements
32. 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
Family #2: Help
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Errors of conditional reasoning
33. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Straw Man
Logical opposites
Uncertain use of a term or concept
34. 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 conditional reasoning
Weakening conditional reasoning
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Errors in the use of evidence
35. 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
Straw Man
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
36. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Time shift errors
False analogy
Mistaken Negation
Method of Reasoning questions
37. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Primary Objective #6
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
38. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Straw Man
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
39. 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
Primary Objective #8
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Main Point Questions
40. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Errors in the use of evidence
Appeal Fallacies
Conclusion Indicators
Time shift errors
41. 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.
Logical opposites
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
42. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Primary Objective #6
Primary Objective #8
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
43. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
2 roles played by assumptions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Justify the conclusion formula
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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #7
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Mistaken cause and effect
45. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Family #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #8
How to attack a causal conclusion
Errors of composition and division
46. 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 #3
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Errors of composition and division
47. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Family #2: Help
Survey errors
Primary Objective #5
Method of Reasoning questions
48. 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
Primary Objective #9
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Rules for Family #3
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
Circular reasoning
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Method of Reasoning
2 roles played by assumptions
50. 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
Premise definition
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions