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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. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Causal statements
Primary Objective #2
Premise Indicators
2. 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.
Family #1: Prove
Weaken question signal words
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Rules for Family #3
3. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Primary Objective #9
Main Point Questions
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Sufficient Condition
4. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Rules for Family #1
Primary Objective #3
False dilemma
5. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Survey errors
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Primary Objective #2
6. 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.
Time shift errors
Premise Indicators
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
7. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #4
Necessary Condition
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
8. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Necessary Condition
Logical opposites
Conclusion Indicators
9. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Conclusion Indicators
10. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Weaken question signal words
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Mistaken Negation
11. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Conclusion definition
Straw Man
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
12. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Logical negation
Mistaken Negation
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
13. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Quantity indicators
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
14. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
False analogy
15. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Necessary Condition
16. 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
Primary Objective #6
Mistaken cause and effect
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
17. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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18. 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
Method of Reasoning
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
19. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
Numbers and percentage errors
Justify the conclusion formula
Weaken question signal words
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
False dilemma
2 roles played by assumptions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Numbers and percentage errors
21. 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
Sufficient Condition
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
2 speaker questions
22. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Justify the conclusion formula
Counter Premise Indicators
Mistaken Negation
Circular reasoning
23. Takes a small number of intstances and treats those instances as if they support a broad - sweeping conclusion. Often appears as an incorrect answer.n
Conclusion Indicators
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Rules for Family #2
Exceptional case/over generalization
24. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Family #2: Help
Logical opposites
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
25. 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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #4
How to attack a causal conclusion
26. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #1
Exceptional case/over generalization
27. 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
Common weakening scenarios
Errors of composition and division
How to strengthen an argument
Conclusion Identification Method
28. 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)
Primary Objective #6
Primary Objective #4
Method of Reasoning
29. 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
Necessary Condition
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Uncertain use of a term or concept
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
30. 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
Primary Objective #7
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Circular reasoning
31. 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?
Family #4: Disprove
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Premise definition
32. 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
Primary Objective #4
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Weakening conditional reasoning
Typical assumption question stems
33. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Method of Reasoning questions
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Conclusion Identification Method
34. 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
Time shift errors
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Premise Indicators
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
35. 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
Common weakening scenarios
Typical assumption question stems
Mistaken cause and effect
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
36. 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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37. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Quantity indicators
Primary Objective #5
Weakening conditional reasoning
Family #3: Hurt
38. 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.
Primary Objective #7
Logical opposites
Conclusion Identification Method
Source argument AKA ad hominen
39. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Causal statements
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Appeal Fallacies
40. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Primary Objective #5
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Causal statements
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
41. 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?
Family #1: Prove
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Conclusion definition
How to attack a causal conclusion
42. 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
Justify the conclusion formula
Time shift errors
Typical assumption question stems
43. 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.
Family #4: Disprove
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
44. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
'Additional' Premise Indicators
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Primary Objective #3
45. 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
Logical opposites
Primary Objective #8
Primary Objective #3
Rules for Family #3
46. 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
Mistaken Negation
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
2 roles played by assumptions
Appeal Fallacies
47. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Premise definition
How to strengthen an argument
Family #3: Hurt
Primary Objective #8
48. 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
Rules for Family #2
Typical assumption question stems
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Necessary Condition
49. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Mistaken cause and effect
Family #4: Disprove
Logical opposites
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
50. 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 -
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #9