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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. 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?
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
Conclusion definition
Primary Objective #4
Family #3: Hurt
2. 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
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Family #3: Hurt
3. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
4. Carefully read and identify the question stem. DO NOT assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain questions types.
Appeal Fallacies
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
Typical assumption question stems
Primary Objective #5
5. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
6. 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.
False analogy
Method of Reasoning questions
Mistaken Reversal
Logical opposites
7. Then - only - only if - must - required - unless - except - until - without.
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
Appeal Fallacies
Assumption Negation Technique
8. 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.
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
Primary Objective #9
Assumption Negation Technique
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
9. Immediately look for the repeat or contrapositive in the answer choices. Avoid mistaken reversals and mistaken negations.
Exceptional case/over generalization
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
How to strengthen an argument
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
10. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
How to attack a causal conclusion
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Prephrasing Method of Reasoning questions
11. 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.
Counter Premise Indicators
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
12. 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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13. 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
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Common weakening scenarios
False dilemma
14. 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
Numbers and percentage errors
Time shift errors
Family #1: Prove
Quantity indicators
15. 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
Primary Objective #2
Assumption Negation Technique
Method of Reasoning
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
16. 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
Straw Man
Primary Objective #3
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
17. 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
Common weakening scenarios
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Assumption Negation Technique
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
18. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Straw Man
Primary Objective #8
19. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
How to strengthen an argument
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
20. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Errors in the use of evidence
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
21. Involves judgements made about groups and parts of a group. an error or composition occurs when the author attributes a characteristic of part of the group to the group as a whole or to each member of the group Error of division - author attributes c
Appeal Fallacies
Errors of composition and division
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Source argument AKA ad hominen
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
Primary Objective #9
Common weakening scenarios
2 roles played by assumptions
Necessary Condition
23. 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
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Typical assumption question stems
Errors in the use of evidence
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
24. 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
Rules for Family #1
Errors of composition and division
Conclusion Identification Method
Primary Objective #4
25. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Logical negation
How to identify Justify the Conclusion questions
Method of Reasoning questions
26. 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
Weakening conditional reasoning
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Premise Indicators
27. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
Necessary Condition
Primary Objective #3
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
28. 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
Primary Objective #8
Necessary Condition
Circular reasoning
Premise Indicators
29. 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
Premise definition
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Premise Indicators
Main Point Questions
30. 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
Mistaken cause and effect
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Probability indicators
Primary Objective #6
31. 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 -
Rules for Family #2
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Probability indicators
Time shift errors
32. 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
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Quantity indicators
Numbers and percentage errors
Errors of conditional reasoning
33. 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
Probability indicators
Premise Indicators
How to determine the strength of an argument
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
34. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Justify the conclusion formula
35. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
False dilemma
Causal statements
Words used to introduce a necessary condition
36. 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
Assumption Negation Technique
Appeal Fallacies
Primary Objective #5
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
37. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
Counter Premise Indicators
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
Family #2: Help
38. Prephrase: after reading the question stem - take a moment to mentally formulate your answer to the question stem.
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
Exceptional case/over generalization
Primary Objective #1
Primary Objective #6
39. Amount - quantity - sum - total - count - tally.n
Common weakening scenarios
Conclusion Indicators
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
40. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Weaken question signal words
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Sufficient Condition
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
41. 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
Primary Objective #4
Family #2: Help
Mistaken Negation
Exceptional case/over generalization
42. 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
Source argument AKA ad hominen
Logical negation
How to approach causality and strengthen questions?
Method of Reasoning
43. 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
Logical negation
Weakening conditional reasoning
Causal statements
Rules for Family #1
44. 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
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Family #3: Hurt
Fact test for Method of Reasoning questions
Rules for Family #3
45. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Errors of conditional reasoning
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
46. 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
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Premise definition
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
How to determine the strength of an argument
47. 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
Straw Man
Premise Indicators
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
48. 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.
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Sufficient Condition
Assumption Negation Technique
Premise definition
49. If - when - whenever - every - all - any - people who - in order to.
Primary Objective #6
Circular reasoning
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Premise definition
50. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
2 speaker questions
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Family #1: Prove
Primary Objective #1
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