Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is necessary for a student to graduate according to the conditions given?
What is necessary for a student to graduate according to the conditions given?
- Being intelligent
- Having excellent grades
- Being both smart and resourceful (correct)
- Being resourceful
Which of the following options would most effectively weaken a conditional statement?
Which of the following options would most effectively weaken a conditional statement?
- Strengthening the premise
- Attacking the necessary condition (correct)
- Confirming the conclusion
- Adding another premise
In cause and effect reasoning, what is a primary indicator that causality exists?
In cause and effect reasoning, what is a primary indicator that causality exists?
- The cause is a separate event
- The cause directly influences the effect (correct)
- The events occur simultaneously
- The cause must occur after the effect
Which of the following phrases indicates a causal relationship?
Which of the following phrases indicates a causal relationship?
What effect does strengthening an argument have on its conclusion?
What effect does strengthening an argument have on its conclusion?
Which of the following describes the type of question focused on assumptions?
Which of the following describes the type of question focused on assumptions?
Which situation typically leads to causal reasoning errors?
Which situation typically leads to causal reasoning errors?
What is the role of weakening questions in argument analysis?
What is the role of weakening questions in argument analysis?
Which of the following statements is a misconception regarding numbers and percentages?
Which of the following statements is a misconception regarding numbers and percentages?
In evaluating an argument, which approach should be used to determine its validity?
In evaluating an argument, which approach should be used to determine its validity?
What must be considered when ensuring parallel reasoning in an argument?
What must be considered when ensuring parallel reasoning in an argument?
Which of the following describes a key component when assessing point of issue questions?
Which of the following describes a key component when assessing point of issue questions?
What is a common pitfall when interpreting numeric data in the presence of percentage information?
What is a common pitfall when interpreting numeric data in the presence of percentage information?
What is the primary objective when analyzing LSAT stimuli?
What is the primary objective when analyzing LSAT stimuli?
Which of the following words is a conclusion indicator?
Which of the following words is a conclusion indicator?
What should you identify first when analyzing a stimulus that contains an argument?
What should you identify first when analyzing a stimulus that contains an argument?
Which of the following is NOT a premise indicator?
Which of the following is NOT a premise indicator?
What is indicated by a counter premise?
What is indicated by a counter premise?
What is the purpose of the 'Conclusion identification method'?
What is the purpose of the 'Conclusion identification method'?
Which sentence structure is indicated by 'Therefore' followed by a premise?
Which sentence structure is indicated by 'Therefore' followed by a premise?
Which term would best indicate a counter point in an argument?
Which term would best indicate a counter point in an argument?
What is the main difference between an inference and an assumption in an argument?
What is the main difference between an inference and an assumption in an argument?
Which of the following indicators primarily denote probability?
Which of the following indicators primarily denote probability?
Which family of logical question stems do you refer to for questions that ask for assumptions?
Which family of logical question stems do you refer to for questions that ask for assumptions?
When faced with a question about the main point of an argument, which family of question stems should you consult?
When faced with a question about the main point of an argument, which family of question stems should you consult?
What strategy is recommended if all five answer choices appear unviable?
What strategy is recommended if all five answer choices appear unviable?
What is a characteristic of a 'Must be true' question stem?
What is a characteristic of a 'Must be true' question stem?
Which option is NOT a quantity indicator?
Which option is NOT a quantity indicator?
How should one approach reading the question stem in a critical reasoning context?
How should one approach reading the question stem in a critical reasoning context?
What is the first step in the Rules of Strengthening?
What is the first step in the Rules of Strengthening?
Which statement best justifies a conclusion?
Which statement best justifies a conclusion?
Which of the following is NOT a common wrong answer in strengthening questions?
Which of the following is NOT a common wrong answer in strengthening questions?
In the context of strengthening causal statements, which action should be taken?
In the context of strengthening causal statements, which action should be taken?
What type of response is likely to be correct if there is no response given in assumption questions?
What type of response is likely to be correct if there is no response given in assumption questions?
What should be eliminated to support a strong assumption about causality?
What should be eliminated to support a strong assumption about causality?
Which of the following actions would NOT strengthen a causal relationship?
Which of the following actions would NOT strengthen a causal relationship?
What can be concluded when an answer in an assumption question contains elements not present in the conclusion?
What can be concluded when an answer in an assumption question contains elements not present in the conclusion?
Which of the following describes an incorrect answer type due to exaggeration?
Which of the following describes an incorrect answer type due to exaggeration?
What type of reasoning flaw incorrectly uses causal assumptions based on event order?
What type of reasoning flaw incorrectly uses causal assumptions based on event order?
Which reasoning error involves misinterpreting an argument to make it easier to attack?
Which reasoning error involves misinterpreting an argument to make it easier to attack?
Which of the following is a type of erosion in reasoning characterized by a failure to define key terms?
Which of the following is a type of erosion in reasoning characterized by a failure to define key terms?
What reasoning flaw involves assuming that only two options exist where there might be more?
What reasoning flaw involves assuming that only two options exist where there might be more?
Which flaw in reasoning is characterized by attributing individual characteristics to a group or vice versa?
Which flaw in reasoning is characterized by attributing individual characteristics to a group or vice versa?
Which type of reasoning flaw occurs when one assumes that a future occurrence will reflect past events?
Which type of reasoning flaw occurs when one assumes that a future occurrence will reflect past events?
What reasoning flaw distorts an argument to make it easier to argue against it rather than addressing the original claim?
What reasoning flaw distorts an argument to make it easier to argue against it rather than addressing the original claim?
Flashcards
Argument
Argument
A statement or group of statements that aim to prove a point.
Set of facts
Set of facts
A collection of facts or pieces of information presented without any attempt to prove a point.
Conclusion
Conclusion
A statement that concludes or summarizes an argument.
Premise
Premise
Signup and view all the flashcards
Conclusion Indicators
Conclusion Indicators
Signup and view all the flashcards
Premise Indicators
Premise Indicators
Signup and view all the flashcards
Counter Premise
Counter Premise
Signup and view all the flashcards
Counter Point Indicators
Counter Point Indicators
Signup and view all the flashcards
Inference
Inference
Signup and view all the flashcards
Assumption
Assumption
Signup and view all the flashcards
Strong Argument
Strong Argument
Signup and view all the flashcards
Weak Argument
Weak Argument
Signup and view all the flashcards
Must Be True
Must Be True
Signup and view all the flashcards
Main Point
Main Point
Signup and view all the flashcards
Contrapositive
Contrapositive
Signup and view all the flashcards
Weakening an Argument
Weakening an Argument
Signup and view all the flashcards
Causal Statement
Causal Statement
Signup and view all the flashcards
Causal Error
Causal Error
Signup and view all the flashcards
Strengthening an Argument
Strengthening an Argument
Signup and view all the flashcards
Justifying an Argument
Justifying an Argument
Signup and view all the flashcards
Assumption Question
Assumption Question
Signup and view all the flashcards
Weakening Arguments
Weakening Arguments
Signup and view all the flashcards
Strengthening Arguments
Strengthening Arguments
Signup and view all the flashcards
Justify a Conclusion
Justify a Conclusion
Signup and view all the flashcards
Resolved Paradox
Resolved Paradox
Signup and view all the flashcards
Parallel Reasoning Order
Parallel Reasoning Order
Signup and view all the flashcards
Parallel Reasoning Structure
Parallel Reasoning Structure
Signup and view all the flashcards
Variance Test
Variance Test
Signup and view all the flashcards
Source Argument/ Ad Hominem
Source Argument/ Ad Hominem
Signup and view all the flashcards
Circular Reasoning
Circular Reasoning
Signup and view all the flashcards
Mistake Cause and Effect
Mistake Cause and Effect
Signup and view all the flashcards
Straw Man
Straw Man
Signup and view all the flashcards
Appeals to Fallacies
Appeals to Fallacies
Signup and view all the flashcards
Exceptional Case/ Overgeneralization
Exceptional Case/ Overgeneralization
Signup and view all the flashcards
False Analogy
False Analogy
Signup and view all the flashcards
False Dilemma
False Dilemma
Signup and view all the flashcards
Study Notes
LSAT Stimuli Categories
- LSAT stimuli fall into two categories: arguments and sets of facts.
Primary Objective #1
- Determining if the provided stimulus is an argument or a set of facts.
- Determining if a conclusion is present.
Premise Indicators
- Because
- Since
- For example
- For the reason that
- In that
- Given that
- As indicated by
- Due to
- Owing to
- This is seen from
- We know this by/because
Conclusion Indicators
- Thus
- Therefore
- Hence
- Consequently
- As a result
- So
- Accordingly
- Clearly
- Must be that
- Shows that
- Concludes
- Follows that
- For this reason
Note on Order
- Conclusions and premises can be in any order. The order of presentation does not affect the logical structure of an argument.
Primary Objective #2
- Identify the conclusion of an argument.
- Identify each fact and examine it closely if the stimulus contains a set of facts.
Additional Premises
- Authors sometimes add additional premises for good measure.
- Additional premises aren't always essential to the conclusion.
Counter-Premise Indicators
- But
- Yet
- However
- On the other hand
- Admittedly
- Although
- In contrast
- Even though
- Still
- Whereas
- After all
- In spite of
- Despite
Additional Tips and Techniques
- Turn an argument into a conversation.
- Take statements and order them so one statement is a conclusion, then add indicators.
- Repeat this until the logical structure makes sense.
Primary Objective #3
- Determine if an argument is strong or weak.
- Determine if premises justify the conclusions.
- Distinguish between inferences and assumptions.
Inference
- Inferences follow from an argument. (Occur after the argument).
Assumption
- Assumptions are taken for granted in an argument. (Occur before the argument).
Identifying The Question Stem
- Carefully read and identify the question stem.
- Do not assume words automatically associate with certain question types.
Thirteen Logical Question Stems
- Must be true/most supported
- Main point
- Point of issue
- Assumption
- Justify the conclusion
- Strengthen the support
- Resolve the paradox
- Weaken
- Method of reasoning
- How in the reasoning
- Parallel reasoning
- Evaluate the argument
- Cannot be true
Probability Indicators
- Must
- Will
- Always
- Not always
- Probably
- Likely
- Should
- Would
- Could
- Not necessarily
- Rarely
- Never
Primary Objective #5
- Carefully read and identify the question stem.
- Do not assume certain words automatically associate with certain question types.
Primary Objective #6
- Prephrase your answer to the stem after reading the question.
Primary Objective #7
- Always read all five answer choices.
Primary Objective #8
- Separate answers into contenders and losers.
Primary Objective #9
- If all of the options appear to be wrong, return to the stimuli and re-evaluate.
Chapter 4: Must Be True
- The correct answers must be proven by facts in the stimulus.
- Incorrect answers include exaggerations, new information, opposite answers, and reversed answers.
Chapter 5: Main Point Questions
- Incorrect answer types include statements that are true but not the main point, and premises of the argument.
Chapter 6: Conditional Reasonings
- Contrapositive negates both parts and reverses the arrow.
- Sufficient indicators include when, whenever, if, every, all, etc.
- Necessary indicators include then, only, if, when, whenever, etc.
Chapter 7: Weakening Questions
- Correct answers weaken the conclusion, not necessarily the premise (though sometimes a premise can be weakened if it's a subconclusion).
- Flaws in arguments include incomplete information, improper correlation, and out of scope answers.
Chapter 8: Cause and Effect Reasoning Questions
- The cause must make the effect happen.
Chapter 9: Strengthen and Justify Conclusion Questions
- Understand the argument's structure and focus on the conclusion.
- The stimulus might be suspect.
Chapter 10: Resolved Paradox
- The answer will prove how both elements can happen, not disprove one.
Chapter 11: Method of Reasoning
- If an answer describes an event that didn't happen, it will be incorrect.
Chapter 13: Flaw in Reasoning
- Common flaws include uncertain use of words or terms, source arguments, circular reasoning, and mistaken causal relationships.
Chapter 15: Numbers and Percentages
- Increasing percentages equal increasing numbers, and vice versa.
- Decreasing percentages equal decreasing numbers, and vice versa.
Chapter 16: Evaluate the Argument
- Use the variance test to use polar opposite answers and see if one proves or disproves the conclusion.
Chapter 17: Cannot Be True
- Accept the stimulus.
- If an answer contains new or combined information from the stimulus, it is wrong.
Chapter 18: Point of Issue
- Identify facts to fix (ethical disagreements), facts agreed upon, and unknown speakers' views.
Chapter 19: Principles Questions
- Apply the principle in a broad context.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
