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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. 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
Premise definition
Errors of conditional reasoning
Weaken question signal words
Time shift errors
2. 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?
Weakening conditional reasoning
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Probability indicators
Conclusion definition
3. 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 identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
4. 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
Probability indicators
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Premise Indicators
Source argument AKA ad hominen
5. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken Negation
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Family #2: Help
6. 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 of composition and division
Survey errors
Exceptional case/over generalization
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
7. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
8. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #5
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Circular reasoning
9. 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
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Quantity indicators
How to determine the strength of an argument
Errors of composition and division
10. 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
Necessary Condition
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
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
Primary Objective #2
Time shift errors
Survey errors
Logical negation
12. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
2 roles played by assumptions
False dilemma
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
13. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Numbers and percentage errors
Survey errors
Family #1: Prove
Main Point Questions
14. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Family #2: Help
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Weakening conditional reasoning
15. 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
Family #3: Hurt
Primary Objective #3
Conclusion Identification Method
Common weakening scenarios
16. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Family #2: Help
Family #3: Hurt
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
17. 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.
Causal statements
Numbers and percentage errors
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
18. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Necessary Condition
Source argument AKA ad hominen
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Primary Objective #7
19. 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
Time shift errors
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
How to determine the strength of an argument
Rules for Family #3
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
Sufficient Condition
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #5
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
21. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Time shift errors
22. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Appeal Fallacies
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
23. 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
Causal statements
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
24. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Numbers and percentage errors
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
25. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Central assumption of causal conclusions
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.
Primary Objective #9
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #1
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
27. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Time shift errors
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Errors of composition and division
Sufficient Condition
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
Mistaken Negation
Weakening conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #1
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
29. 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
How to attack a causal conclusion
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #3
Causal statements
30. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Primary Objective #4
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
31. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Conclusion Indicators
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #9
32. 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
Rules for Family #3
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Primary Objective #1
33. 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
Logical opposites
Rules for Family #1
Primary Objective #4
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
34. 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
Rules for Family #1
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Primary Objective #3
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
35. 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
Main Point Questions
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
36. 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
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Errors in the use of evidence
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
37. 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
Sufficient Condition
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Circular reasoning
38. 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
Primary Objective #8
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Method of Reasoning
2 roles played by assumptions
39. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Method of Reasoning
2 speaker questions
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
40. 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
Primary Objective #7
Family #1: Prove
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
41. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Rules for Family #2
2 roles played by assumptions
Conclusion Indicators
42. 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
Primary Objective #9
Justify the conclusion formula
Family #2: Help
43. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
Conclusion Indicators
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #1
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
Errors in the use of evidence
Rules for Family #3
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Assumption Negation Technique
45. 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 numerical ideas
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Family #2: Help
Appeal Fallacies
46. 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
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Premise definition
Conclusion definition
Primary Objective #7
47. 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 -
Weaken question signal words
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Probability indicators
Mistaken cause and effect
48. 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.
Family #3: Hurt
Primary Objective #5
Weakening conditional reasoning
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
49. 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.
Counter Premise Indicators
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Errors in the use of evidence
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
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Mistaken cause and effect
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?