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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. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Numbers and percentage errors
Typical assumption question stems
2. 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
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #2
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
3. 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
Method of Reasoning
Errors of conditional reasoning
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
How to attack a causal conclusion
4. 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
Mistaken Reversal
False analogy
Survey errors
How to attack a causal conclusion
5. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Sufficient Condition
Method of Reasoning questions
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #8
6. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Conclusion Indicators
Family #4: Disprove
Typical assumption question stems
Central assumption of causal conclusions
7. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Family #2: Help
Mistaken Negation
8. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Primary Objective #7
Errors in the use of evidence
9. At least on of the two - possibly both.
10. 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
Primary Objective #1
False analogy
Primary Objective #4
Straw Man
11. 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
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Causal statements
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
12. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Family #4: Disprove
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Exceptional case/over generalization
13. 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.
14. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Method of Reasoning questions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
15. 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
Rules for Family #2
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Logical opposites
Primary Objective #2
16. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Source argument AKA ad hominen
'Additional' Premise Indicators
17. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
How to attack a causal conclusion
Mistaken Negation
Primary Objective #3
18. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Logical negation
2 roles played by assumptions
19. 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
Family #1: Prove
Main Point Questions
Errors of conditional reasoning
20. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Conclusion Identification Method
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #6
21. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
False analogy
Family #2: Help
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Family #3: Hurt
22. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Primary Objective #7
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #2
23. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Time shift errors
Common weakening scenarios
24. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Typical assumption question stems
Errors of composition and division
Method of Reasoning
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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
2 roles played by assumptions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
26. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Causal statements
How to attack a causal conclusion
Numbers and percentage errors
27. 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
False dilemma
Common weakening scenarios
Assumption Negation Technique
Errors of composition and division
28. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Sufficient Condition
Conclusion Indicators
Conclusion definition
Main Point Questions
29. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Premise definition
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #2
30. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #4
Counter Premise Indicators
Common weakening scenarios
Family #1: Prove
31. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Primary Objective #1
Numbers and percentage errors
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Counter Premise Indicators
32. 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.
Survey errors
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Appeal Fallacies
Errors of composition and division
33. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Assumption Negation Technique
Conclusion Identification Method
34. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
35. 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
Probability indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
36. 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 #6
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
37. 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
Causal statements
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Main Point Questions
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
38. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Necessary Condition
39. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
2 speaker questions
Rules for Family #3
Family #3: Hurt
40. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Family #2: Help
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Primary Objective #3
Typical assumption question stems
41. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Main Point Questions
Sufficient Condition
Family #1: Prove
42. 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.
Primary Objective #7
Primary Objective #8
Method of Reasoning
Common weakening scenarios
43. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Family #3: Hurt
Primary Objective #6
Typical assumption question stems
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
44. 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
Primary Objective #1
Appeal Fallacies
Justify the conclusion formula
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
45. 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
Circular reasoning
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Rules for Family #1
46. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
How to determine the strength of an argument
Circular reasoning
Probability indicators
47. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Appeal Fallacies
Errors in the use of evidence
Primary Objective #9
48. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Premise Indicators
49. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Typical assumption question stems
Rules for Family #1
False analogy
50. 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.
Family #3: Hurt
Common weakening scenarios
Conclusion definition
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features