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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. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Time shift errors
Mistaken cause and effect
Family #4: Disprove
Assumption Negation Technique
2. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #1
3. 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
Straw Man
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Method of Reasoning
Source argument AKA ad hominen
4. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Method of Reasoning questions
Exceptional case/over generalization
5. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Primary Objective #9
6. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Errors in the use of evidence
Exceptional case/over generalization
Sufficient Condition
Primary Objective #5
7. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Quantity indicators
Central assumption of causal conclusions
8. 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
Main Point Questions
Causal statements
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
9. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Assumption Negation Technique
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
10. 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)
Mistaken Negation
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
11. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Family #3: Hurt
Causal statements
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
12. 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 answers in Point at Issue questions
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
13. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Family #3: Hurt
Causal statements
Necessary Condition
Primary Objective #3
14. 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
Primary Objective #5
Counter Premise Indicators
Logical opposites
15. 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+.
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Mistaken Reversal
Primary Objective #8
Logical negation
16. 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
Weaken question signal words
Family #1: Prove
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
How to attack a causal conclusion
17. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Primary Objective #8
Primary Objective #3
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
18. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #8
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
19. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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20. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #9
Family #3: Hurt
21. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Probability indicators
22. 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
Primary Objective #3
Time shift errors
2 speaker questions
Family #4: Disprove
23. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Assumption Negation Technique
Premise Indicators
24. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Primary Objective #6
Primary Objective #7
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
25. 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
Primary Objective #4
Method of Reasoning questions
Survey errors
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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Circular reasoning
Family #1: Prove
Causal statements
27. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
How to strengthen an argument
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Conclusion Identification Method
28. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Causal statements
Counter Premise Indicators
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
29. 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.
Method of Reasoning questions
Circular reasoning
Premise Indicators
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
30. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Errors of composition and division
Justify the conclusion formula
31. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #4
Primary Objective #5
32. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Mistaken Negation
How to determine the strength of an argument
Common weakening scenarios
33. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #8
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
34. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
35. 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?
Conclusion definition
2 roles played by assumptions
Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #9
36. 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
Method of Reasoning
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
37. 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
Mistaken Reversal
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Primary Objective #6
38. 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
Typical assumption question stems
Exceptional case/over generalization
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
39. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Causal statements
Family #4: Disprove
40. 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.
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41. 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.
Exceptional case/over generalization
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Primary Objective #7
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
42. 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
How to strengthen an argument
Weakening conditional reasoning
Rules for Family #3
43. 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
Primary Objective #9
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Main Point Questions
Exceptional case/over generalization
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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Errors in the use of evidence
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
45. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Mistaken Negation
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
46. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
False dilemma
Conclusion definition
Assumption Negation Technique
Source argument AKA ad hominen
47. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Straw Man
Source argument AKA ad hominen
2 roles played by assumptions
Primary Objective #2
48. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #9
Primary Objective #6
Rules for Family #3
49. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Rules for Family #1
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
50. 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.
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Rules for Family #2
Exceptional case/over generalization
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated