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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. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Assumption Negation Technique
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
False dilemma
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
2. 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 #5
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Errors of conditional reasoning
Weaken question signal words
3. 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+.
Mistaken Reversal
Probability indicators
Circular reasoning
Method of Reasoning questions
4. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Errors of composition and division
5. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
6. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Mistaken Negation
Typical assumption question stems
7. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Rules for Family #3
Conclusion definition
Family #1: Prove
8. 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.
9. 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
Premise Indicators
Errors of conditional reasoning
Numbers and percentage errors
Quantity indicators
10. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
How to strengthen an argument
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
How to determine the strength of an argument
11. 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
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Primary Objective #7
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
12. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Central assumption of causal conclusions
13. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
14. 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
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #8
Time shift errors
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
15. 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
Causal statements
Family #4: Disprove
Appeal Fallacies
16. 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?
Premise definition
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Probability indicators
17. 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
Method of Reasoning
Necessary Condition
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
18. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Primary Objective #3
Source argument AKA ad hominen
19. 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.
Method of Reasoning
Mistaken Negation
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Rules for Family #1
20. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Primary Objective #6
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
21. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Appeal Fallacies
Errors of composition and division
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #5
22. 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
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Weaken question signal words
Rules for Family #3
23. 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
Necessary Condition
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Quantity indicators
24. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Conclusion Indicators
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Logical negation
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
25. 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
Time shift errors
Errors in the use of evidence
Counter Premise Indicators
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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #4
Primary Objective #2
Logical negation
27. 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?
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Conclusion definition
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Family #4: Disprove
28. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
29. 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.
2 roles played by assumptions
Primary Objective #6
Primary Objective #7
Errors in the use of evidence
30. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Logical negation
Weakening conditional reasoning
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
31. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Probability indicators
32. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Logical negation
Family #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #4
33. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Family #2: Help
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
34. 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
Family #4: Disprove
Mistaken cause and effect
How to strengthen an argument
Survey errors
35. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Counter Premise Indicators
Common weakening scenarios
2 speaker questions
36. At least on of the two - possibly both.
37. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Primary Objective #8
Primary Objective #2
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Necessary Condition
38. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Numbers and percentage errors
Necessary Condition
Primary Objective #3
Family #4: Disprove
39. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #8
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Conclusion definition
40. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Primary Objective #7
2 roles played by assumptions
How to determine the strength of an argument
False dilemma
41. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Source argument AKA ad hominen
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Primary Objective #1
42. 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.
Main Point Questions
Primary Objective #1
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Justify the conclusion formula
43. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Main Point Questions
How to attack a causal conclusion
Family #2: Help
44. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
False analogy
Appeal Fallacies
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
45. 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
Errors in the use of evidence
Assumption Negation Technique
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
46. 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.
How to determine the strength of an argument
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Method of Reasoning
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
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
Family #3: Hurt
Typical assumption question stems
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Logical negation
48. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Typical assumption question stems
Necessary Condition
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Common weakening scenarios
49. 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.
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Common weakening scenarios
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Logical opposites
50. 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
Circular reasoning
Premise definition
Main Point Questions
Primary Objective #4