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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. 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
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Errors of composition and division
Quantity indicators
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
2. 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
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Assumption Negation Technique
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
2 roles played by assumptions
3. 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.
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
'Additional' Premise Indicators
Logical opposites
Family #3: Hurt
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.
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Conclusion Indicators
Common weakening scenarios
Quantity indicators
5. 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
Straw Man
Primary Objective #2
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
6. 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 composition and division
How to attack a causal conclusion
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Primary Objective #8
7. 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
Primary Objective #4
Primary Objective #6
Main Point Questions
Straw Man
8. Read closely and know precisely what the author said. DO NOT GENERALIZE!.
Mistaken Reversal
Weaken question signal words
Primary Objective #4
How to determine the strength of an argument
9. Determine whether the stimulus contains an argument or if it is only a set of factual statements. MUST recognize whether a conclusion is present.
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Straw Man
Primary Objective #1
Causal statements
10. 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
Circular reasoning
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Primary Objective #7
11. If the stimulus contains an argument - identify the conclusion. If the stimulus contains a fact set - examine each fact.
Typical assumption question stems
Family #4: Disprove
Primary Objective #2
Mistaken Negation
12. An event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.
3 incorrect answer traps (weaken)
Sufficient Condition
Necessary Condition
Counter Premise Indicators
13. 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
Rules for Family #3
Causal statements
LSAT Definition of 'either/or'
Errors of composition and division
14. Assumes that only 2 courses of action are available when there may be others. n
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
False dilemma
Family #1: Prove
Logical negation
15. 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.
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Primary Objective #3
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Probability indicators
16. 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
Conclusion definition
Rules for Family #2
Primary Objective #8
Mistaken Negation
17. 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
Primary Objective #2
Primary Objective #3
Incorrect answers in Point at Issue questions
18. Premises + answer choice = conclusion When approaching answers - separate them into winners and losers - then apply the justify formula.
Justify the conclusion formula
Weaken question signal words
Rules for Family #2
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
19. 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
Probability indicators
Words used to introduce a sufficient condition
Primary Objective #9
Common weakening scenarios
20. 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 percentage errors
How to strengthen an argument
Primary Objective #6
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
21. 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
Primary Objective #2
Rules for Family #1
False dilemma
Words used to introduce cause and effect relationships. (memorize)
22. 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
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Method of Reasoning questions
Straw Man
General lack of relevant evidence for the conclusion
23. Thus - therefore - hence - consequently - as a result - so - accordingly - clearly - must be that - shows that - conclude that - follows that - for this reason.
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Typical assumption question stems
Family #1: Prove
Conclusion Indicators
24. 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
'Additional' Premise Indicators
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Circular reasoning
25. An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.
Sufficient Condition
Errors of composition and division
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Rules for Family #3
26. 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.
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
Rules for Family #1
Primary Objective #2
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
27. 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.
2 speaker questions
Family #2: Help
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Family #3: Hurt
28. 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.
Source argument AKA ad hominen
the unless equation (conditional reasoning)
Primary Objective #8
Errors of conditional reasoning
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
Causal statements
Premise definition
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
How to strengthen an argument
30. 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
Conclusion Identification Method
Assumption Negation Technique
What is the biggest reason students miss questions?
False dilemma
31. Stimulus (affected or determined) ---> answer choices (accepted) AKA: Help Family assumption - justify the conclusion - strengthen/support - resolve the paradox.
Family #2: Help
Necessary Condition
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Mistaken Negation
32. 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
One of the most commonly used stimulus structures is what? How are they recognized?
Numbers and percentages Common misconceptions
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Mistaken cause and effect
33. Stimulus (affected or determined)--/-> answer choices (accepted) Negative sign on the arrow reflects attacking or hurting the argument (weaken).
Circular reasoning
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
Family #3: Hurt
How to attack a causal conclusion
34. 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.
Circular reasoning
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Primary Objective #7
How to solve Justify questions mechanistically
35. 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
Time shift errors
Conclusion Identification Method
Weaken question signal words
Counter Premise Indicators
36. 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?
2 speaker questions
How to attack a causal conclusion
Primary Objective #7
37. To logically negate a conditional statement - negate the necessary condition. Example: neither...nor becomes either...or.
Logical negation
Family #4: Disprove
Straw Man
What to do when a stimulus that contains conditional reasoning is combined with a must be true question stem
38. 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
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
Solving Parallel Reasoning questions in the order stated
Errors in the use of evidence
Numbers and percentage errors
39. 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
Common features of Resolve the Paradox
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Primary Objective #4
Causal statements
40. 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
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Central assumption of causal conclusions
Family #2: Help
Justify the conclusion formula
41. Negates both conditions - creating a statement that does not have to be true. Given: A+ --> Study Mistaken Negation: Not A+ --> Not Study
Survey errors
Errors in the use of evidence
Mistaken Negation
Typical assumption question stems
42. 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
False analogy
Incorrect Method of Reasoning answers
Primary Objective #3
Method of Reasoning
43. 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.
Premise Indicators
Rules for Family #1
Family #1: Prove
Necessary Condition
44. 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
Premise Indicators
Words used to introduce numerical ideas
Appeal Fallacies
Probability indicators
45. Percent - proportion - fraction - ratio - incidence - likelihood - probability - segment - share. n
Words used to introduce percentage ideas
Rules for Family #1
Method of Reasoning questions
Fundamental rules for strengthen - justify the conclusion and assumption questions
46. 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+.
Assumption Negation Technique
Mistaken Reversal
Conclusion definition
Errors of conditional reasoning
47. Occurs when an author improperly equates a percentage with a definate quantity or vice versa. n
Assumptions and conditionality: the two types of answer choices normally produced are?
Resolve the Paradox question stem features
Numbers and percentage errors
Probability indicators
48. Occurs when an author makes conflicting statements. n
Assumptions and causality: typical correct answer categories
Appeal Fallacies
Internal contradiction AKA self contradiction
LSAT Conclusion trick for Method AP questions
49. 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
Survey errors
Things to remember in regards to WEAKEN questions
Weakening conditional reasoning
3 quirks of assumption question answer choices
50. 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
Justify the conclusion formula
Strengthen questions ask you to identify the answer choice that best supports the argument. 2 common features
3 logical features of conditional reasoning
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