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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. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #1
Source argument AKA ad hominen
2. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Premise definition
Mistaken Negation
Primary Objective #2
How to strengthen an argument
3. 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.
Family #3: Hurt
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Premise Indicators
4. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Rules for Family #3
5. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Rules for Family #2
Time shift errors
Family #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #8
6. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Rules for Family #2
Family #3: Hurt
False analogy
Family #2: Help
7. 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+.
Numbers and percentage errors
Mistaken Reversal
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
8. 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
Logical opposites
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Causal statements
Counter Premise Indicators
9. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Rules for Family #1
10. 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
Common weakening scenarios
Assumption Negation Technique
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
11. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
How to attack a causal conclusion
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
12. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Justify the conclusion formula
13. 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
Rules for Family #3
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Typical assumption question stems
14. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Quantity indicators
How to attack a causal conclusion
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
15. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Necessary Condition
Premise Indicators
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
16. 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?
Numbers and percentage errors
Errors of conditional reasoning
Mistaken Negation
17. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Rules for Family #1
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Conclusion Indicators
18. 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
Rules for Family #1
Errors in the use of evidence
How to determine the strength of an argument
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
19. 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
Errors of composition and division
Errors of conditional reasoning
Mistaken cause and effect
How to strengthen an argument
20. 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
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Primary Objective #3
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
Method of Reasoning questions
How to determine the strength of an argument
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
22. 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
Rules for Family #3
Family #3: Hurt
How to determine the strength of an argument
Conclusion Indicators
23. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Exceptional case/over generalization
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Appeal Fallacies
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
24. 1. The info in the stimulus is suspect. There are often reasoning errors present and depending on the question - you will help shore up the argument in some way. 2. The answer choices are accepted as given - even if they include 'new' info. Your task
Assumption Negation Technique
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Rules for Family #2
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
25. 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.
Primary Objective #1
Quantity indicators
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Typical assumption question stems
26. 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
Sufficient Condition
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
27. 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
Circular reasoning
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
28. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
How to attack a causal conclusion
How to determine the strength of an argument
29. 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
Survey errors
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
30. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
31. 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?
Method of Reasoning questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Conclusion definition
Premise definition
32. 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?
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Primary Objective #1
Premise definition
Weaken question signal words
33. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Mistaken Negation
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
34. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Necessary Condition
Primary Objective #5
Weaken question signal words
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
35. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #9
36. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Mistaken Negation
Primary Objective #1
Sufficient Condition
Primary Objective #4
37. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Premise definition
Errors in the use of evidence
38. 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)
Exceptional case/over generalization
Central assumption of causal conclusions
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
39. 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
Rules for Family #3
Probability indicators
Circular reasoning
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
40. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Sufficient Condition
'Additional' Premise Indicators
How to attack a causal conclusion
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
41. 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 in the use of evidence
Appeal Fallacies
Logical opposites
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
42. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Weakening conditional reasoning
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Primary Objective #5
Sufficient Condition
43. 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
Method of Reasoning
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Circular reasoning
44. 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)
False dilemma
Conclusion Identification Method
Mistaken cause and effect
45. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Logical negation
False analogy
Mistaken Negation
Main Point Questions
46. 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 Indicators
Primary Objective #7
Quantity indicators
2 roles played by assumptions
47. 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
Survey errors
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Appeal Fallacies
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
48. 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
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Primary Objective #3
Appeal Fallacies
Errors of composition and division
49. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Probability indicators
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #2
50. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Typical assumption question stems
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Primary Objective #8