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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. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Premise Indicators
Causal statements
Justify the conclusion formula
Probability indicators
2. 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
Sufficient Condition
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
3. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Appeal Fallacies
Method of Reasoning
False analogy
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
4. 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.
2 speaker questions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Premise Indicators
Straw Man
5. 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
Logical negation
Appeal Fallacies
Causal statements
6. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Circular reasoning
Family #4: Disprove
7. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
How to attack a causal conclusion
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
8. 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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
False analogy
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
9. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Appeal Fallacies
10. 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?
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Straw Man
Method of Reasoning
11. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
12. 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.
Mistaken Negation
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Straw Man
13. 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
Family #3: Hurt
2 speaker questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #9
14. 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
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Rules for Family #3
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
15. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Primary Objective #6
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
16. 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
Probability indicators
Conclusion definition
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
17. 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 conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #8
Quantity indicators
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
18. 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
Necessary Condition
2 roles played by assumptions
Exceptional case/over generalization
Mistaken cause and effect
19. 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
Family #3: Hurt
Rules for Family #1
Errors of conditional reasoning
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
20. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Primary Objective #4
21. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Primary Objective #4
22. 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.
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Circular reasoning
23. 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.
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Assumption Negation Technique
Causal statements
24. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Errors in the use of evidence
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Rules for Family #2
25. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Premise Indicators
False dilemma
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #6
26. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Errors of conditional reasoning
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #1
27. 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.
Errors in the use of evidence
Errors of conditional reasoning
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
28. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
29. 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
Straw Man
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #3
30. 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
Main Point Questions
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
31. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Causal statements
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Primary Objective #5
32. 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
Probability indicators
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Main Point Questions
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
33. 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
2 speaker questions
How to strengthen an argument
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Exceptional case/over generalization
34. 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
Family #3: Hurt
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Typical assumption question stems
35. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Primary Objective #7
Primary Objective #9
Probability indicators
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
36. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Mistaken Negation
Time shift errors
Primary Objective #6
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
37. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #1
38. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Family #4: Disprove
Straw Man
Typical assumption question stems
Mistaken cause and effect
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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken cause and effect
Family #4: Disprove
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
40. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #6
Conclusion Identification Method
Method of Reasoning
Primary Objective #4
41. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Family #4: Disprove
Conclusion Indicators
How to attack a causal conclusion
42. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Primary Objective #1
Premise Indicators
43. 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
Typical assumption question stems
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
44. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
2 roles played by assumptions
How to strengthen an argument
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
45. 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?
How to determine the strength of an argument
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Family #2: Help
Premise definition
46. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Logical opposites
47. 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
Mistaken Negation
Assumption Negation Technique
Family #3: Hurt
48. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Assumption Negation Technique
Counter Premise Indicators
49. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Family #2: Help
Method of Reasoning
50. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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