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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. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Appeal Fallacies
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Primary Objective #1
Necessary Condition
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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Rules for Family #1
Rules for Family #3
Primary Objective #1
3. 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
Logical negation
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Appeal Fallacies
Counter Premise Indicators
4. 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+.
Conclusion definition
Method of Reasoning
Circular reasoning
Mistaken Reversal
5. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Family #4: Disprove
Mistaken Negation
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Primary Objective #9
6. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Rules for Family #1
Primary Objective #6
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
7. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Common weakening scenarios
8. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #4
Mistaken cause and effect
Family #3: Hurt
9. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Survey errors
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
10. 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
Primary Objective #1
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Assumption Negation Technique
11. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Conclusion Indicators
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Sufficient Condition
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
12. 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
Primary Objective #9
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Weaken question signal words
13. Refer to the amount or quantity in the relationship. Examples: (do not need to memorize) all - every - most - many - several - sole - only - not all - none - few.
Quantity indicators
Straw Man
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Survey errors
14. 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 numerical ideas
How to attack a causal conclusion
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Assumption Negation Technique
15. 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.
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Causal statements
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
16. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #5
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
17. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
How to attack a causal conclusion
Time shift errors
18. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #9
Conclusion Identification Method
Conclusion Indicators
19. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
20. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #9
False dilemma
21. 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
Rules for Family #1
Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #2
Assumption Negation Technique
22. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Causal statements
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
23. 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
Primary Objective #7
Common weakening scenarios
Probability indicators
Central assumption of causal conclusions
24. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Central assumption of causal conclusions
'Additional' Premise Indicators
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
25. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
2 speaker questions
2 roles played by assumptions
26. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
How to strengthen an argument
2 speaker questions
Common weakening scenarios
Primary Objective #1
27. 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.
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Survey errors
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Premise Indicators
28. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
2 speaker questions
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Primary Objective #1
29. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Source argument AKA ad hominen
30. 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
Primary Objective #8
How to attack a causal conclusion
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
31. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Primary Objective #4
Family #2: Help
Rules for Family #2
Primary Objective #8
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
Justify the conclusion formula
Mistaken Negation
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
33. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Primary Objective #3
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #5
How to attack a causal conclusion
34. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
How to attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #4
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
35. 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
Family #2: Help
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
36. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Mistaken Reversal
Logical negation
Weakening conditional reasoning
Justify the conclusion formula
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
Method of Reasoning
Numbers and percentage errors
Errors in the use of evidence
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
38. 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 -
Probability indicators
Main Point Questions
Primary Objective #6
Errors of conditional reasoning
39. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Typical assumption question stems
Assumption Negation Technique
Justify the conclusion formula
40. 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.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Causal statements
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Premise Indicators
41. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Mistaken Negation
Numbers and percentage errors
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
42. 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
Rules for Family #1
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Conclusion Indicators
43. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Main Point Questions
Quantity indicators
False analogy
Primary Objective #6
44. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Family #2: Help
Family #4: Disprove
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
45. 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?
Logical negation
Conclusion Identification Method
Errors in the use of evidence
46. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Errors in the use of evidence
47. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #4
Appeal Fallacies
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
48. 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
Survey errors
False dilemma
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
49. 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
Family #2: Help
Weaken question signal words
Causal statements
Errors of conditional reasoning
50. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Rules for Family #3