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. 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
Justify the conclusion formula
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #7
2. 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
Main Point Questions
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
3. 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?
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Survey errors
Conclusion definition
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
4. 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
Typical assumption question stems
Main Point Questions
Sufficient Condition
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
5. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
Primary Objective #6
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
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
Rules for Family #1
False analogy
How to determine the strength of an argument
Family #3: Hurt
7. 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
Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #8
Mistaken Reversal
8. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #2
Causal statements
9. 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.
Primary Objective #5
False analogy
Logical opposites
Premise definition
10. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Justify the conclusion formula
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Primary Objective #6
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
11. 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.
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
12. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Primary Objective #6
2 roles played by assumptions
Primary Objective #2
Rules for Family #2
13. 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
Mistaken Negation
2 roles played by assumptions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Errors of composition and division
14. 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
Premise Indicators
Family #2: Help
Straw Man
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
15. 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.
Weakening conditional reasoning
Logical negation
Primary Objective #7
Exceptional case/over generalization
16. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #4
Mistaken Negation
17. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #4
Family #1: Prove
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Common weakening scenarios
18. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Weaken question signal words
Numbers and percentage errors
Mistaken Negation
19. 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
Survey errors
Source argument AKA ad hominen
2 speaker questions
Premise Indicators
20. 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.
Warning
: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in
/var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php
on line
183
21. 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
22. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Mistaken Reversal
Family #4: Disprove
Method of Reasoning questions
23. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Mistaken cause and effect
Uncertain use of a term or concept
24. 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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
How to attack a causal conclusion
Errors in the use of evidence
Premise definition
25. 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
Errors of composition and division
Rules for Family #2
Straw Man
Conclusion Identification Method
26. If an answer choice describes an event that did not occur in the stimulus - then that answer is incorrect. Watch for answers that are partially true - that is answers that contain a description of something that happened in the argument but that also
Probability indicators
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Appeal Fallacies
27. 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.
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Rules for Family #3
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
28. Involves judgements made about groups and parts of a group. an error or composition occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of part of the group to the group as a whole or to each member of the group Error of division - author attributes c
Errors of composition and division
Primary Objective #5
Mistaken Reversal
Appeal Fallacies
29. 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
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Common weakening scenarios
Mistaken Negation
Conclusion definition
30. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Probability indicators
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
31. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Sufficient Condition
32. 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
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
33. 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
Family #2: Help
Mistaken Negation
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
34. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Family #3: Hurt
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
False dilemma
Mistaken Negation
35. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Primary Objective #9
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Primary Objective #8
36. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Primary Objective #9
Mistaken cause and effect
Premise definition
Causal statements
37. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Mistaken Reversal
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
38. 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
Mistaken Reversal
Assumption Negation Technique
Survey errors
Premise definition
39. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Primary Objective #3
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Appeal Fallacies
Primary Objective #9
40. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Family #3: Hurt
41. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Necessary Condition
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
42. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Primary Objective #1
Time shift errors
Probability indicators
Necessary Condition
43. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Quantity indicators
False analogy
Primary Objective #4
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
44. 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
Primary Objective #5
Primary Objective #8
Conclusion Identification Method
45. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Errors in the use of evidence
46. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Primary Objective #2
How to determine the strength of an argument
47. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
48. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Method of Reasoning questions
2 speaker questions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
49. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Survey errors
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
50. 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 determine the strength of an argument
Weaken question signal words
Primary Objective #7
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically