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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
Conclusion definition
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Assumption Negation Technique
Rules for Family #2
2. 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 #3
Rules for Family #1
Counter Premise Indicators
Circular reasoning
3. 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
Common weakening scenarios
How to attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #5
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
4. 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
Family #4: Disprove
Family #3: Hurt
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Straw Man
5. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Counter Premise Indicators
Mistaken Negation
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Family #3: Hurt
6. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Family #2: Help
7. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
8. 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
2 speaker questions
Family #2: Help
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Rules for Family #3
9. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Primary Objective #2
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
How to strengthen an argument
10. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Primary Objective #1
Premise definition
11. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Primary Objective #1
Necessary Condition
Exceptional case/over generalization
False dilemma
12. 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.
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Weakening conditional reasoning
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
13. 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
Causal statements
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Primary Objective #7
14. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Typical assumption question stems
Premise Indicators
Weakening conditional reasoning
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
15. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Premise definition
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Mistaken Negation
16. 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.
Survey errors
Common weakening scenarios
Causal statements
Primary Objective #7
17. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
How to attack a causal conclusion
Method of Reasoning
18. 1. Watch for answers starting with the phrase 'at least one' or 'at least some'. When an assumption answer choice starts with one of these phrases it is usually right. But ALWAYS verify with A.N.T. 2. Avoid answers that claim an idea was the most imp
Time shift errors
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Counter Premise Indicators
Justify the conclusion formula
19. 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+.
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Rules for Family #3
Mistaken Reversal
Conclusion Indicators
20. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Method of Reasoning questions
Weaken question signal words
Appeal Fallacies
21. 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.
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Conclusion Indicators
Main Point Questions
Logical opposites
22. 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?
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Family #4: Disprove
Premise definition
23. 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
Primary Objective #8
Survey errors
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
24. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #4
Weakening conditional reasoning
Conclusion Identification Method
Logical negation
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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Assumption Negation Technique
Central assumption of causal conclusions
26. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Premise Indicators
Justify the conclusion formula
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
27. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Rules for Family #3
Time shift errors
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
28. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Justify the conclusion formula
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Common weakening scenarios
29. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Conclusion definition
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
30. 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.
31. 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
Primary Objective #2
Errors of conditional reasoning
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
32. 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)
Errors of conditional reasoning
Quantity indicators
Family #4: Disprove
33. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Conclusion definition
Premise Indicators
Conclusion Identification Method
34. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #6
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Method of Reasoning
35. 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.
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Premise Indicators
False dilemma
Rules for Family #2
36. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Family #2: Help
Time shift errors
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
37. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Counter Premise Indicators
Logical negation
Rules for Family #1
38. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Appeal Fallacies
39. 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
Errors of composition and division
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Logical negation
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
40. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Primary Objective #6
False dilemma
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
41. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Quantity indicators
How to strengthen an argument
How to attack a causal conclusion
42. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Primary Objective #4
Primary Objective #1
43. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Logical opposites
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
44. 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?
Primary Objective #2
Conclusion definition
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #4
45. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Appeal Fallacies
Weaken question signal words
46. 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
Mistaken Reversal
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Typical assumption question stems
47. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
2 roles played by assumptions
Common weakening scenarios
Weakening conditional reasoning
48. 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
Conclusion definition
Primary Objective #6
How to determine the strength of an argument
Appeal Fallacies
49. 1. ethical versus factual situations - when the stimulus addresses something ethical - a factual answer would be incorrect and vice versa 2. dual agreement or dual disagreement - often incorrect answer choices will supply statements that both speaker
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
50. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Main Point Questions
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Sufficient Condition
Common features of Resolve the Paradox