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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. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Time shift errors
Conclusion Indicators
Justify the conclusion formula
Sufficient Condition
2. 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.
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Conclusion definition
False dilemma
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
3. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Probability indicators
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
4. 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
Rules for Family #3
Rules for Family #1
Typical assumption question stems
'Additional' Premise Indicators
5. 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 opposites
Primary Objective #7
Survey errors
2 roles played by assumptions
6. 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
Typical assumption question stems
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
How to attack a causal conclusion
Weaken question signal words
7. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Primary Objective #9
Primary Objective #4
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
False dilemma
8. 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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9. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Premise definition
Survey errors
10. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Primary Objective #3
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Family #2: Help
11. 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
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #9
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
12. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Necessary Condition
Main Point Questions
13. 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
Primary Objective #1
Survey errors
Primary Objective #8
Weakening conditional reasoning
14. 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 cause and effect
Necessary Condition
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
15. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
2 speaker questions
Causal statements
Primary Objective #8
16. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Counter Premise Indicators
17. 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
Survey errors
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Assumption Negation Technique
18. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken Reversal
Numbers and percentage errors
Premise Indicators
19. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Logical negation
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
20. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Sufficient Condition
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
21. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Exceptional case/over generalization
How to strengthen an argument
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
22. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Necessary Condition
Common weakening scenarios
Primary Objective #5
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
23. 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
Appeal Fallacies
2 roles played by assumptions
Weaken question signal words
Errors of conditional reasoning
24. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Quantity indicators
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #4
25. 1. You can use only the info in the stimulus to prove the correct answer choice 2. Any answer choice that describes an element or a situation that does not occur in the stimulus is incorrect Method of Reasoning questions use a variety of formats - bu
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #1
26. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #1
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
27. 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?
Conclusion definition
Primary Objective #8
Assumption Negation Technique
Sufficient Condition
28. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Family #2: Help
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Source argument AKA ad hominen
29. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Premise Indicators
Mistaken Negation
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
30. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #6
Family #4: Disprove
2 speaker questions
31. 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
Logical negation
How to determine the strength of an argument
Family #2: Help
Mistaken cause and effect
32. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Weakening conditional reasoning
Mistaken Negation
33. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Family #2: Help
Mistaken Negation
Straw Man
34. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Primary Objective #6
Survey errors
Conclusion Identification Method
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
35. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
How to attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #8
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Common weakening scenarios
36. 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)
Appeal Fallacies
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Quantity indicators
37. 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.
Justify the conclusion formula
Weaken question signal words
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
38. 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+.
Weakening conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #2
Mistaken Reversal
Common weakening scenarios
39. 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
Rules for Family #2
Exceptional case/over generalization
Assumption Negation Technique
Primary Objective #9
40. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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41. 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
Straw Man
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Survey errors
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
42. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Conclusion definition
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
43. 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
Conclusion definition
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Primary Objective #8
44. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Weaken question signal words
Primary Objective #3
45. 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
Sufficient Condition
How to strengthen an argument
Rules for Family #1
Circular reasoning
46. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Method of Reasoning
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
47. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Primary Objective #9
Assumption Negation Technique
Primary Objective #8
'Additional' Premise Indicators
48. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #4
Conclusion Indicators
49. 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
Sufficient Condition
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Rules for Family #3
50. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
How to attack a causal conclusion
Common weakening scenarios
Causal statements