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. Always read each of the five answer choices. If an answer choice appears somewhat attractive - interesting or even confusing - keep it as a contender and move to the next answer.
Primary Objective #7
Rules for Family #2
False dilemma
Primary Objective #2
2. 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
Method of Reasoning questions
Main Point Questions
Causal statements
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
3. 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
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Exceptional case/over generalization
4. 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.
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Quantity indicators
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
5. 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
Primary Objective #3
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Mistaken cause and effect
Causal statements
6. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Conclusion definition
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Counter Premise Indicators
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
7. 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
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Errors of conditional reasoning
8. Stimulus (accepted) --/-> answer choices (affected or determined) cannot be true.
Family #4: Disprove
Common weakening scenarios
Conclusion Indicators
Family #2: Help
9. 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 #6
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Errors in the use of evidence
10. 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
Family #3: Hurt
Rules for Family #3
How to determine the strength of an argument
Primary Objective #8
11. Separate the answer choices into 'contenders' and 'loser'. After completing this process - review the contenders and decide which answer correct.
Circular reasoning
Conclusion Indicators
Primary Objective #8
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
12. 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
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Common weakening scenarios
13. 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
Family #1: Prove
Time shift errors
Survey errors
Conclusion Identification Method
14. 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
Primary Objective #1
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Sufficient Condition
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
15. 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?
Conclusion definition
Logical negation
Justify the conclusion formula
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
16. 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
How to determine the strength of an argument
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
17. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Primary Objective #2
Mistaken Negation
Errors of composition and division
Counter Premise Indicators
18. 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
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Weaken question signal words
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
19. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #5
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
20. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Primary Objective #5
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Weakening conditional reasoning
21. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #6
Primary Objective #2
22. 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
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Mistaken cause and effect
2 roles played by assumptions
Main Point Questions
23. Occurs when the author uses an analogy that is two disimilar to the original situation to be applicable. n
False analogy
Conclusion Indicators
Premise Indicators
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
24. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Appeal Fallacies
Method of Reasoning questions
Primary Objective #1
25. 1. An indication that the answer choices should be accepted as true 2. Keywords that indicate your task is to resolve the problem Action: Problem: Resolve Paradox Explain Contradiction Reconcile Discrepancy Conflict Puzzle *Attempt to prephrase Corre
Errors of conditional reasoning
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Counter Premise Indicators
26. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Premise Indicators
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Primary Objective #7
Family #2: Help
27. 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
Uncertain use of a term or concept
2 roles played by assumptions
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
Primary Objective #4
28. 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
Probability indicators
How to strengthen an argument
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Mistaken cause and effect
29. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Probability indicators
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Family #2: Help
Primary Objective #6
30. 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.
Warning
: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in
/var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php
on line
183
31. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Weaken question signal words
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Errors of composition and division
Family #3: Hurt
32. 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?
Uncertain use of a term or concept
Family #1: Prove
Errors of composition and division
33. 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+.
Method of Reasoning
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
How to attack a causal conclusion
Mistaken Reversal
34. 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
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
35. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Necessary Condition
36. 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.
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Exceptional case/over generalization
37. 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
2 speaker questions
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
38. If the stimulus contains an argument - determine whether the argument is strong or weak.
Logical negation
How to attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #3
Errors of composition and division
39. 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
False dilemma
Primary Objective #7
Typical assumption question stems
Primary Objective #4
40. 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
Common weakening scenarios
Primary Objective #8
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Logical negation
41. 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?
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Premise definition
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
42. If all 5 answer choices appear to be 'losers' - return to the stimulus and re-evaluate the argument.
Errors of conditional reasoning
Primary Objective #9
Mistaken cause and effect
Mistaken Reversal
43. 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.
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Errors of conditional reasoning
44. 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
Weaken question signal words
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Family #2: Help
45. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Primary Objective #4
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Uncertain use of a term or concept
46. 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 attack a causal conclusion
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Primary Objective #3
Family #3: Hurt
47. 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 of composition and division
Errors in the use of evidence
2 speaker questions
Typical assumption question stems
48. 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
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Appeal Fallacies
49. At least on of the two - possibly both.
Warning
: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in
/var/www/html/basicversity.com/show_quiz.php
on line
183
50. 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
Circular reasoning
How to attack a causal conclusion
Numbers and percentage errors
Conclusion Identification Method