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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. 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?
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Premise definition
Conclusion Indicators
False analogy
2. 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
Survey errors
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Rules for Family #3
Family #2: Help
3. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Primary Objective #9
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Rules for Family #3
Primary Objective #4
4. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
5. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Probability indicators
Numbers and percentage errors
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
6. 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.
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Primary Objective #7
Primary Objective #3
Main Point Questions
7. 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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8. 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
Primary Objective #6
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Rules for Family #1
9. 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
Quantity indicators
Rules for Family #2
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
10. 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.
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Premise Indicators
Main Point Questions
Method of Reasoning
11. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Mistaken cause and effect
Numbers and percentage errors
12. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Family #3: Hurt
Survey errors
Primary Objective #9
13. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Family #4: Disprove
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Mistaken Negation
14. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Premise definition
False dilemma
Logical negation
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
15. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Conclusion Identification Method
16. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Primary Objective #6
Justify the conclusion formula
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
17. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Assumption Negation Technique
Primary Objective #3
Family #1: Prove
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
18. 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
Primary Objective #7
How to determine the strength of an argument
Sufficient Condition
19. 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.
How to determine the strength of an argument
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Probability indicators
Logical opposites
20. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Counter Premise Indicators
Weakening conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #1
21. 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)
Rules for Family #3
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Errors of composition and division
22. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Weaken question signal words
False dilemma
Typical assumption question stems
23. 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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Time shift errors
Mistaken Reversal
24. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
How to strengthen an argument
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Numbers and percentage errors
25. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Errors in the use of evidence
Errors of conditional reasoning
26. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Conclusion definition
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Sufficient Condition
27. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Primary Objective #9
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Conclusion Identification Method
28. 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
Logical negation
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
False dilemma
Numbers and percentage errors
29. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Family #1: Prove
30. 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.
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Primary Objective #1
False analogy
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
Weakening conditional reasoning
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Errors of composition and division
Main Point Questions
32. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Circular reasoning
How to strengthen an argument
33. 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
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #2
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
34. 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
Probability indicators
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #7
35. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Probability indicators
False analogy
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
36. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Quantity indicators
Primary Objective #2
Exceptional case/over generalization
Uncertain use of a term or concept
37. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Errors in the use of evidence
Method of Reasoning questions
Errors of composition and division
38. 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.
Primary Objective #9
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Errors in the use of evidence
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
39. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Conclusion definition
Survey errors
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
40. 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?
Assumption Negation Technique
Conclusion definition
Logical opposites
Premise definition
41. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Sufficient Condition
Appeal Fallacies
Time shift errors
42. 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
Time shift errors
Rules for Family #2
Errors of conditional reasoning
Common weakening scenarios
43. 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
Straw Man
Mistaken Negation
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
44. 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
Family #3: Hurt
How to strengthen an argument
Conclusion Indicators
Errors of conditional reasoning
45. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Main Point Questions
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Rules for Family #2
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
46. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Premise definition
Mistaken Negation
Conclusion definition
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
47. 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 -
Method of Reasoning
Causal statements
Probability indicators
Conclusion Indicators
48. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Source argument AKA ad hominen
49. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Premise Indicators
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #4
Conclusion Indicators
50. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Primary Objective #5
Weaken question signal words
Words used to introduce percentage ideas