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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. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Rules for Family #1
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
2. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Premise definition
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Common weakening scenarios
Primary Objective #5
3. 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
Mistaken Reversal
2 roles played by assumptions
Primary Objective #8
Justify the conclusion formula
4. 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
Time shift errors
Primary Objective #4
Errors in the use of evidence
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
5. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Primary Objective #8
Family #3: Hurt
Family #2: Help
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
6. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Mistaken Reversal
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
7. 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
Straw Man
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Weaken question signal words
8. 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
Weaken question signal words
Conclusion definition
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
9. 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
Errors of conditional reasoning
Assumption Negation Technique
How to attack a causal conclusion
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
10. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
Sufficient Condition
Assumption Negation Technique
Errors of conditional reasoning
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
Family #3: Hurt
Mistaken cause and effect
Primary Objective #9
Numbers and percentage errors
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
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Common weakening scenarios
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Exceptional case/over generalization
13. At least on of the two - possibly both.
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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
Necessary Condition
Justify the conclusion formula
Straw Man
Primary Objective #5
15. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Rules for Family #3
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
16. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Necessary Condition
False dilemma
Circular reasoning
17. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Quantity indicators
Primary Objective #8
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Counter Premise Indicators
18. 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
Counter Premise Indicators
Primary Objective #7
Straw Man
19. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
How to determine the strength of an argument
Logical negation
Survey errors
20. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Family #4: Disprove
21. 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
False analogy
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
22. 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
Rules for Family #3
Primary Objective #8
Rules for Family #1
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
23. 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.
Premise Indicators
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Necessary Condition
24. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Primary Objective #7
Primary Objective #2
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
'Additional' Premise Indicators
25. 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.
Quantity indicators
Family #1: Prove
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Typical assumption question stems
26. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Method of Reasoning questions
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Errors of conditional reasoning
27. 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
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Time shift errors
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
28. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
Family #4: Disprove
False analogy
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
False dilemma
29. 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
How to strengthen an argument
False dilemma
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
30. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Main Point Questions
Exceptional case/over generalization
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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Logical negation
Family #2: Help
Common weakening scenarios
32. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
2 roles played by assumptions
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Necessary Condition
33. 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
Primary Objective #4
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
34. 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
Main Point Questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Rules for Family #1
35. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Premise definition
Logical negation
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
36. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Mistaken Negation
Quantity indicators
2 roles played by assumptions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
37. 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
Survey errors
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
38. 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
Primary Objective #6
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
39. 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
Family #2: Help
Family #3: Hurt
Central assumption of causal conclusions
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
Circular reasoning
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
2 speaker questions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
41. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Primary Objective #9
How to attack a causal conclusion
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Errors of conditional reasoning
42. 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
Primary Objective #7
Justify the conclusion formula
Rules for Family #2
43. 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
Primary Objective #8
Method of Reasoning questions
False analogy
44. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Family #4: Disprove
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Conclusion Indicators
Primary Objective #9
45. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Necessary Condition
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Counter Premise Indicators
46. 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
Errors of composition and division
Premise definition
Circular reasoning
Primary Objective #9
47. 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
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Family #1: Prove
48. 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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49. 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
Weaken question signal words
Exceptional case/over generalization
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
50. 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.
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Main Point Questions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Premise Indicators