SUBJECTS
|
BROWSE
|
CAREER CENTER
|
POPULAR
|
JOIN
|
LOGIN
Business Skills
|
Soft Skills
|
Basic Literacy
|
Certifications
About
|
Help
|
Privacy
|
Terms
|
Email
Search
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 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 a necessary condition
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Justify the conclusion formula
2. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
How to strengthen an argument
Errors in the use of evidence
3. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
4. 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 #1
Uncertain use of a term or concept
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Primary Objective #7
5. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Probability indicators
6. 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
Weaken question signal words
Source argument AKA ad hominen
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
7. 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
Family #3: Hurt
Conclusion Identification Method
Method of Reasoning questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
8. 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.
2 roles played by assumptions
Rules for Family #3
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Conclusion Identification Method
9. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Primary Objective #8
Counter Premise Indicators
10. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Family #4: Disprove
2 speaker questions
Family #3: Hurt
Rules for Family #1
11. 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
Primary Objective #5
Primary Objective #2
Straw Man
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
12. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
13. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
2 roles played by assumptions
Assumption Negation Technique
14. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Premise Indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
15. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Survey errors
Errors in the use of evidence
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Primary Objective #4
16. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Method of Reasoning
Typical assumption question stems
Logical negation
17. At least on of the two - possibly both.
Warning
: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in
/var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php
on line
183
18. 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
Family #2: Help
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Circular reasoning
How to attack a causal conclusion
19. 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.
Premise definition
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #7
Method of Reasoning questions
20. 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
Logical negation
Causal statements
Primary Objective #8
Mistaken Negation
21. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
22. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Main Point Questions
Rules for Family #3
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
23. 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.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
24. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Premise definition
Typical assumption question stems
25. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Family #2: Help
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #4
False dilemma
26. 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 -
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Assumption Negation Technique
Probability indicators
Conclusion definition
27. 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
False dilemma
False analogy
Primary Objective #7
28. 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)
Primary Objective #8
Exceptional case/over generalization
Premise Indicators
29. 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
Rules for Family #3
Circular reasoning
Errors of composition and division
30. 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
Weaken question signal words
How to attack a causal conclusion
Conclusion Identification Method
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
31. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Circular reasoning
2 roles played by assumptions
Primary Objective #9
32. 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
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Quantity indicators
Appeal Fallacies
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
33. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Primary Objective #5
Primary Objective #7
Conclusion Indicators
34. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Common weakening scenarios
Mistaken Negation
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
35. 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.
Circular reasoning
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Quantity indicators
Probability indicators
36. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Errors of composition and division
Rules for Family #3
Survey errors
37. 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
Primary Objective #8
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
How to strengthen an argument
Exceptional case/over generalization
38. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
Logical negation
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
39. 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
Causal statements
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
2 roles played by assumptions
40. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Family #1: Prove
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Logical negation
41. 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
Primary Objective #6
Time shift errors
Sufficient Condition
Circular reasoning
42. 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
Quantity indicators
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Main Point Questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
43. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Time shift errors
44. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #9
45. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Method of Reasoning questions
Logical opposites
46. 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.
Primary Objective #2
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #7
Family #1: Prove
47. 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
Conclusion definition
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #9
Typical assumption question stems
48. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Survey errors
Justify the conclusion formula
49. 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
Straw Man
Exceptional case/over generalization
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
50. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Mistaken Reversal
Primary Objective #1
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?