SUBJECTS
|
BROWSE
|
CAREER CENTER
|
POPULAR
|
JOIN
|
LOGIN
Business Skills
|
Soft Skills
|
Basic Literacy
|
Certifications
About
|
Help
|
Privacy
|
Terms
|
Email
Search
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. 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.
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Quantity indicators
How to determine the strength of an argument
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
2. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Sufficient Condition
Family #1: Prove
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
3. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Family #3: Hurt
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Logical negation
4. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
'Additional' Premise Indicators
False dilemma
Primary Objective #6
Family #2: Help
5. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
How to strengthen an argument
How to determine the strength of an argument
Premise definition
6. 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.
Quantity indicators
Family #1: Prove
Necessary Condition
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
7. 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?
2 roles played by assumptions
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Premise definition
8. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #4
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Main Point Questions
9. 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
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Mistaken Reversal
False analogy
10. 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+.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Weaken question signal words
Mistaken Reversal
Family #4: Disprove
11. 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
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Errors of conditional reasoning
Justify the conclusion formula
12. 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?
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Conclusion definition
13. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Conclusion definition
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
14. 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
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Straw Man
2 roles played by assumptions
Method of Reasoning
15. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
False dilemma
Rules for Family #3
Primary Objective #8
Conclusion Indicators
16. 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
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
17. 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
Straw Man
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Causal statements
18. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Circular reasoning
19. 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
Primary Objective #3
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Logical negation
20. 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
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Causal statements
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
2 roles played by assumptions
21. 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
Family #4: Disprove
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
22. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
'Additional' Premise Indicators
2 roles played by assumptions
Method of Reasoning
23. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Main Point Questions
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
24. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
Primary Objective #8
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Family #1: Prove
False dilemma
25. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Primary Objective #5
Primary Objective #6
2 roles played by assumptions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
26. 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
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Uncertain use of a term or concept
How to attack a causal conclusion
27. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Rules for Family #3
Method of Reasoning
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
28. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Rules for Family #2
False analogy
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
29. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Primary Objective #4
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
False analogy
30. 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
Weaken question signal words
'Additional' Premise Indicators
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Logical negation
31. 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
Premise Indicators
Main Point Questions
Exceptional case/over generalization
Common weakening scenarios
32. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Primary Objective #2
Premise definition
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
Primary Objective #5
False dilemma
2 roles played by assumptions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
34. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Method of Reasoning
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
35. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Conclusion Identification Method
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
36. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Appeal Fallacies
Family #3: Hurt
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
37. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Primary Objective #3
Primary Objective #2
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
38. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Justify the conclusion formula
Assumption Negation Technique
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Weaken question signal words
39. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Necessary Condition
Logical negation
Method of Reasoning questions
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
40. 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
2 roles played by assumptions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
False analogy
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
41. 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
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Method of Reasoning
Errors in the use of evidence
42. 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.
Central assumption of causal conclusions
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
2 roles played by assumptions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
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
Mistaken cause and effect
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Counter Premise Indicators
Errors in the use of evidence
44. 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
Straw Man
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
How to strengthen an argument
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
45. 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.
Logical negation
Quantity indicators
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
46. 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
Causal statements
Necessary Condition
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Appeal Fallacies
47. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Method of Reasoning
48. 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
Primary Objective #8
Family #2: Help
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
49. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #4
Survey errors
50. 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
Family #4: Disprove
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories