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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 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.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Common weakening scenarios
Primary Objective #4
2. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Common weakening scenarios
Primary Objective #8
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
3. 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 Definition of 'either/or'
Conclusion Indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #1
4. 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?
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Premise definition
Family #2: Help
Main Point Questions
5. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Quantity indicators
Primary Objective #1
Rules for Family #2
2 speaker questions
6. 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.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Primary Objective #4
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Uncertain use of a term or concept
7. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Main Point Questions
Necessary Condition
8. 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
Sufficient Condition
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Conclusion Identification Method
9. 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
Errors of composition and division
Family #1: Prove
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
10. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Main Point Questions
Primary Objective #4
Rules for Family #2
11. 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.
Logical opposites
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Mistaken cause and effect
Family #2: Help
12. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Mistaken Negation
Probability indicators
Logical opposites
Exceptional case/over generalization
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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #7
How to strengthen an argument
14. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Common weakening scenarios
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
How to strengthen an argument
Conclusion Indicators
15. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Justify the conclusion formula
False dilemma
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
16. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Time shift errors
2 roles played by assumptions
17. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Primary Objective #6
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #1
Mistaken cause and effect
18. 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
Primary Objective #9
Common weakening scenarios
Probability indicators
Necessary Condition
19. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Premise definition
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Justify the conclusion formula
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
20. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Typical assumption question stems
Family #2: Help
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
How to attack a causal conclusion
21. 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
Typical assumption question stems
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Exceptional case/over generalization
Time shift errors
22. 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
Premise Indicators
Conclusion Identification Method
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Method of Reasoning
23. 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.
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Common weakening scenarios
Primary Objective #7
24. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Conclusion Indicators
False dilemma
Survey errors
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
25. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Method of Reasoning
Logical opposites
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
26. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
27. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Assumption Negation Technique
How to strengthen an argument
Rules for Family #1
28. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Probability indicators
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
29. 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
Quantity indicators
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Weaken question signal words
Central assumption of causal conclusions
30. 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
Rules for Family #1
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Conclusion Identification Method
31. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Weakening conditional reasoning
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
32. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Family #2: Help
Sufficient Condition
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
33. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Primary Objective #7
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Method of Reasoning questions
Justify the conclusion formula
34. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Primary Objective #1
Typical assumption question stems
Sufficient Condition
Primary Objective #2
35. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #9
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
36. 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+.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
How to attack a causal conclusion
Mistaken Reversal
37. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Conclusion Identification Method
38. 1. The stem uses the word assumption - presupposition or some variation 2. The stem NEVER uses the word 'if' or any other sufficient condition indicator. The stem will likely contain a necessary condition indicator such as required or unless. The cor
How to attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #5
Typical assumption question stems
Probability indicators
39. 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 conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Counter Premise Indicators
Weakening conditional reasoning
40. 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.
Time shift errors
Straw Man
Logical opposites
Justify the conclusion formula
41. 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 percentage ideas
Rules for Family #1
Causal statements
42. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Primary Objective #9
Primary Objective #3
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
43. 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
Sufficient Condition
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken Negation
44. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Typical assumption question stems
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
45. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Time shift errors
Premise definition
46. 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
Errors of composition and division
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Survey errors
47. 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.
How to strengthen an argument
Family #1: Prove
Rules for Family #1
Justify the conclusion formula
48. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Numbers and percentage errors
Exceptional case/over generalization
Rules for Family #3
49. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
How to strengthen an argument
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Causal statements
50. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Premise definition
Conclusion Identification Method
Family #2: Help
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