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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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
2. 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
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Primary Objective #6
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Assumption Negation Technique
3. 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
Weaken question signal words
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Premise definition
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
4. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Time shift errors
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
5. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
How to attack a causal conclusion
Weakening conditional reasoning
Main Point Questions
Necessary Condition
6. 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.
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Logical opposites
Premise Indicators
7. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Errors in the use of evidence
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Logical opposites
8. 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
Primary Objective #2
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Conclusion Identification Method
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
9. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Errors of composition and division
Primary Objective #1
10. 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.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Mistaken Reversal
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Numbers and percentage errors
11. 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
Quantity indicators
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Straw Man
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #9
Errors of conditional reasoning
13. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Straw Man
Errors of composition and division
14. 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 answers in Point at Issue questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Family #1: Prove
Primary Objective #3
15. 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)
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Typical assumption question stems
Circular reasoning
16. Always ask: Do the given facts support the conclusion? Do the premises strongly suggest that the conclusion would be true? Does the conclusion feel like an inevitable result of the premises? Or Does the conclusion go beyond the scope of the info in t
Rules for Family #1
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #5
Conclusion definition
17. 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.
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #1
Premise Indicators
Mistaken Reversal
18. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Rules for Family #2
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
19. 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
Main Point Questions
Conclusion definition
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
20. 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+.
Primary Objective #7
Numbers and percentage errors
Mistaken Reversal
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
21. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
22. 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
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Conclusion definition
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
23. 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
How to strengthen an argument
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Rules for Family #3
Typical assumption question stems
24. 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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25. 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
Primary Objective #6
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #9
26. 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
Rules for Family #1
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Main Point Questions
27. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Errors of conditional reasoning
2 speaker questions
28. 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
Rules for Family #2
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Primary Objective #4
29. 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
Typical assumption question stems
Errors of composition and division
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
30. 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?
Premise definition
How to determine the strength of an argument
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
'Additional' 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.
Primary Objective #3
Premise Indicators
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
32. 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 in the use of evidence
Primary Objective #8
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Circular reasoning
33. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #4
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Weaken question signal words
34. 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
2 speaker questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Errors in the use of evidence
Family #2: Help
35. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Rules for Family #1
36. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Errors of composition and division
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Primary Objective #5
37. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Weaken question signal words
Mistaken Reversal
False analogy
Justify the conclusion formula
38. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
39. 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
Circular reasoning
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Rules for Family #2
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
40. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Time shift errors
Counter Premise Indicators
Sufficient Condition
Family #2: Help
41. 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
Primary Objective #6
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Straw Man
42. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Logical negation
Primary Objective #8
2 speaker questions
43. 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.
How to determine the strength of an argument
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Rules for Family #1
44. 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
Rules for Family #1
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
False dilemma
Premise definition
45. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Errors of composition and division
46. 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
Circular reasoning
Typical assumption question stems
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Central assumption of causal conclusions
47. 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
Probability indicators
Quantity indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
2 roles played by assumptions
48. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Family #3: Hurt
Common weakening scenarios
Survey errors
49. 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.
Weakening conditional reasoning
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Quantity indicators
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
50. 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
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
False dilemma
Straw Man