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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. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Family #2: Help
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
False analogy
2. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Time shift errors
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #4
3. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Weaken question signal words
Rules for Family #2
4. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Conclusion definition
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #6
5. 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.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Sufficient Condition
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Primary Objective #8
6. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Family #2: Help
Source argument AKA ad hominen
7. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Primary Objective #6
False analogy
Primary Objective #7
8. 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.
Time shift errors
Quantity indicators
Premise definition
Logical negation
9. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Survey errors
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
10. 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
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Rules for Family #1
Rules for Family #2
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
11. 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
Family #3: Hurt
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Exceptional case/over generalization
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
12. 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 necessary condition
2 roles played by assumptions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
13. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Rules for Family #2
Family #2: Help
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
14. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Survey errors
Main Point Questions
15. 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
Family #1: Prove
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Necessary Condition
16. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Family #4: Disprove
Errors of conditional reasoning
17. 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
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Rules for Family #3
18. 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.
Errors of composition and division
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Mistaken cause and effect
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
19. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Logical opposites
2 speaker questions
20. 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
Exceptional case/over generalization
Weakening conditional reasoning
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
How to strengthen an argument
21. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Circular reasoning
Conclusion definition
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Primary Objective #1
22. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
False dilemma
Weaken question signal words
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Rules for Family #3
23. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #3
Common weakening scenarios
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
24. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Errors in the use of evidence
25. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #8
26. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Primary Objective #3
Method of Reasoning questions
27. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Straw Man
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Method of Reasoning questions
28. 1. The info in the stimulus is supect. There are often reasoning errors present - and you will further weaken the argument in some way. 2. The answer choices are accepted as given - even if they include 'new' info. The task is to determine which answ
Rules for Family #3
Mistaken Negation
Premise definition
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
29. 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
Main Point Questions
Family #4: Disprove
False analogy
30. 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
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
How to attack a causal conclusion
Time shift errors
31. 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
Primary Objective #1
Conclusion Indicators
Common weakening scenarios
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
32. 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
Appeal Fallacies
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Exceptional case/over generalization
Premise Indicators
33. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Probability indicators
2 roles played by assumptions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
34. 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
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Straw Man
Numbers and percentage errors
35. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Primary Objective #8
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Primary Objective #6
False analogy
36. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Rules for Family #1
Mistaken Reversal
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Family #2: Help
37. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Assumption Negation Technique
Conclusion Identification Method
38. 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 -
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Probability indicators
Family #3: Hurt
Weaken question signal words
39. 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
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
How to attack a causal conclusion
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
40. 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
Time shift errors
Premise definition
Primary Objective #9
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
41. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
2 speaker questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #5
42. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
How to attack a causal conclusion
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Family #1: Prove
43. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Family #4: Disprove
Source argument AKA ad hominen
44. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Weakening conditional reasoning
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
45. 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
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Mistaken cause and effect
Assumption Negation Technique
46. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Primary Objective #1
Mistaken cause and effect
Errors of conditional reasoning
Uncertain use of a term or concept
47. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #2
Conclusion definition
48. 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.
Justify the conclusion formula
Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #2
Mistaken cause and effect
49. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Family #1: Prove
Sufficient Condition
Method of Reasoning
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
50. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)