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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. 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
2 speaker questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Survey errors
Necessary Condition
2. 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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #9
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
3. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Common weakening scenarios
4. 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
Probability indicators
Weakening conditional reasoning
Errors in the use of evidence
Primary Objective #5
5. 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 in the use of evidence
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
6. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Family #2: Help
False dilemma
7. 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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Counter Premise Indicators
Errors in the use of evidence
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
8. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Primary Objective #7
Conclusion Indicators
Rules for Family #2
Family #3: Hurt
9. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Mistaken cause and effect
Rules for Family #3
10. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #3
Primary Objective #9
11. 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?
False analogy
Probability indicators
Method of Reasoning questions
Premise definition
12. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Errors of conditional reasoning
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Primary Objective #8
13. 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
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Mistaken Negation
Exceptional case/over generalization
Causal statements
14. 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)
How to attack a causal conclusion
Central assumption of causal conclusions
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
15. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Conclusion definition
Assumption Negation Technique
Sufficient Condition
16. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Exceptional case/over generalization
Straw Man
Errors of composition and division
17. 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 #2
Rules for Family #1
Straw Man
Errors in the use of evidence
18. Whenever you identify a causal relationship in the conclusion of an LSAT problem - immediately prepare to either weaken or strengthen the argument. Tasks for Weaken questions...must always identify a causal conclusion. Then ask if there relationship
How to attack a causal conclusion
Justify the conclusion formula
Counter Premise Indicators
Rules for Family #1
19. 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
Main Point Questions
Conclusion Identification Method
Logical opposites
Errors of composition and division
20. 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 logical features of conditional reasoning
Method of Reasoning questions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Central assumption of causal conclusions
21. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken Reversal
Mistaken Negation
22. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #6
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
23. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #4
Family #3: Hurt
False analogy
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
24. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Mistaken Negation
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Logical negation
Weaken question signal words
25. 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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26. 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.
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Primary Objective #8
Numbers and percentage errors
27. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
2 speaker questions
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Time shift errors
Common weakening scenarios
28. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Justify the conclusion formula
Appeal Fallacies
How to attack a causal conclusion
29. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Errors of conditional reasoning
How to attack a causal conclusion
30. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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31. 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.
Primary Objective #7
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Circular reasoning
Weaken question signal words
32. 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
Rules for Family #1
Numbers and percentage errors
Typical assumption question stems
Central assumption of causal conclusions
33. 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
Primary Objective #2
Primary Objective #7
Probability indicators
34. 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.
Typical assumption question stems
Family #1: Prove
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
35. 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
Survey errors
Family #2: Help
Mistaken Negation
Necessary Condition
36. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Premise definition
37. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Family #2: Help
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
38. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Logical negation
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
39. 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.
Logical opposites
Primary Objective #2
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
40. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Mistaken Reversal
Circular reasoning
Justify the conclusion formula
Premise Indicators
41. 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
Family #4: Disprove
False dilemma
Method of Reasoning questions
42. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Probability indicators
False analogy
2 speaker questions
Primary Objective #8
43. 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
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #7
44. 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
2 speaker questions
Sufficient Condition
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Exceptional case/over generalization
45. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
False dilemma
46. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Method of Reasoning
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
How to determine the strength of an argument
47. 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.
Necessary Condition
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Circular reasoning
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
48. 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
Primary Objective #3
Method of Reasoning questions
Rules for Family #3
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Weakening conditional reasoning
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
50. 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
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken cause and effect
False analogy