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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. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Method of Reasoning questions
Causal statements
Main Point Questions
2. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Common weakening scenarios
Family #2: Help
3. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Justify the conclusion formula
How to determine the strength of an argument
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
4. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #2
5. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Numbers and percentage errors
Family #4: Disprove
Time shift errors
Family #2: Help
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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Conclusion Identification Method
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
7. 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
Rules for Family #3
Rules for Family #2
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
8. 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
Primary Objective #6
Family #2: Help
How to strengthen an argument
'Additional' Premise Indicators
9. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
10. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
2 roles played by assumptions
Weakening conditional reasoning
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
11. 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
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Rules for Family #2
Main Point Questions
12. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Family #3: Hurt
Rules for Family #3
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
13. 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.
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #7
Family #1: Prove
Sufficient Condition
14. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Primary Objective #2
2 speaker questions
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
15. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Numbers and percentage errors
Uncertain use of a term or concept
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
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
Primary Objective #7
Primary Objective #9
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #8
17. 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+.
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Mistaken Reversal
Primary Objective #7
18. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Numbers and percentage errors
Family #2: Help
Conclusion Indicators
Rules for Family #3
19. 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.
Mistaken cause and effect
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
20. 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
Mistaken Reversal
Survey errors
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Primary Objective #6
21. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Primary Objective #8
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
22. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Primary Objective #5
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Family #4: Disprove
23. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Causal statements
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
24. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #7
Probability indicators
25. The mistake involves assuming that conditions will remain constant over time - and that what was the case in the past will be the case in the future or present. n
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Time shift errors
26. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Sufficient Condition
Source argument AKA ad hominen
27. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #2
28. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Time shift errors
29. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Primary Objective #5
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #8
30. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Logical opposites
Rules for Family #3
31. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #2
Rules for Family #3
Circular reasoning
32. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #9
Errors of composition and division
33. 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
Causal statements
Main Point Questions
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Circular reasoning
34. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Mistaken Negation
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
35. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #3
Source argument AKA ad hominen
36. 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
False dilemma
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
37. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Circular reasoning
Quantity indicators
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
38. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
False analogy
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
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
Main Point Questions
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Mistaken Reversal
Rules for Family #2
40. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #4
41. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Weakening conditional reasoning
Conclusion Indicators
How to attack a causal conclusion
42. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Family #1: Prove
Primary Objective #7
43. 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.
Logical negation
Primary Objective #7
Family #4: Disprove
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
44. 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 #7
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Family #1: Prove
45. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Conclusion Identification Method
Probability indicators
Mistaken Reversal
Sufficient Condition
46. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Appeal Fallacies
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #6
47. 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
Weaken question signal words
Counter Premise Indicators
Errors of composition and division
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
48. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Counter Premise Indicators
Appeal Fallacies
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Necessary Condition
49. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #6
Family #2: Help
50. 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?
Primary Objective #1
Premise definition
Primary Objective #8
Errors in the use of evidence