Critical Thinking and Argument Analysis Quiz

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Questions and Answers

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?

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?

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?

As a result of Signup and view all the answers

What effect does strengthening an argument have on its conclusion?

Confirms its truthfulness Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the type of question focused on assumptions?

What must hold true? Signup and view all the answers

Which situation typically leads to causal reasoning errors?

Assuming a relationship from sequences Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of weakening questions in argument analysis?

To challenge the validity of the conclusion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is a misconception regarding numbers and percentages?

A decreasing number always leads to a decreasing percentage. Signup and view all the answers

In evaluating an argument, which approach should be used to determine its validity?

The variance test. Signup and view all the answers

What must be considered when ensuring parallel reasoning in an argument?

The type of conclusion and the certainty expressed. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes a key component when assessing point of issue questions?

Identifying facts that are fixed and those agreed upon is essential. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common pitfall when interpreting numeric data in the presence of percentage information?

Using percent information to arrive at numeric conclusions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary objective when analyzing LSAT stimuli?

To determine whether the stimuli is an argument or a set of facts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following words is a conclusion indicator?

Thus Signup and view all the answers

What should you identify first when analyzing a stimulus that contains an argument?

The conclusion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a premise indicator?

Thus Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by a counter premise?

It minimizes the impact of a contrast point Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the 'Conclusion identification method'?

To rearrange statements until coherence is achieved Signup and view all the answers

Which sentence structure is indicated by 'Therefore' followed by a premise?

Conclusion, premise format Signup and view all the answers

Which term would best indicate a counter point in an argument?

However Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between an inference and an assumption in an argument?

An inference follows the conclusion; an assumption precedes it. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following indicators primarily denote probability?

Probably Signup and view all the answers

Which family of logical question stems do you refer to for questions that ask for assumptions?

Family 2 Signup and view all the answers

When faced with a question about the main point of an argument, which family of question stems should you consult?

Family 1 Signup and view all the answers

What strategy is recommended if all five answer choices appear unviable?

Return to the stimulus and re-evaluate. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a 'Must be true' question stem?

It can be proven by facts stated within the stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

Which option is NOT a quantity indicator?

More likely Signup and view all the answers

How should one approach reading the question stem in a critical reasoning context?

Identify the question without making assumptions about its type. Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the Rules of Strengthening?

Identify the conclusion Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best justifies a conclusion?

Using statistics can allow for conditional reasoning. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a common wrong answer in strengthening questions?

Direct evidence Signup and view all the answers

In the context of strengthening causal statements, which action should be taken?

Validate the data provided. Signup and view all the answers

What type of response is likely to be correct if there is no response given in assumption questions?

Some or at least one. Signup and view all the answers

What should be eliminated to support a strong assumption about causality?

Alternative causes. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions would NOT strengthen a causal relationship?

Showing that the effect occurs without the cause. Signup and view all the answers

What can be concluded when an answer in an assumption question contains elements not present in the conclusion?

It will usually be correct. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes an incorrect answer type due to exaggeration?

An answer that claims something unrealistically large occurred. Signup and view all the answers

What type of reasoning flaw incorrectly uses causal assumptions based on event order?

Mistake cause and effect Signup and view all the answers

Which reasoning error involves misinterpreting an argument to make it easier to attack?

Straw man Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a type of erosion in reasoning characterized by a failure to define key terms?

Uncertain use of terms Signup and view all the answers

What reasoning flaw involves assuming that only two options exist where there might be more?

False dilemma Signup and view all the answers

Which flaw in reasoning is characterized by attributing individual characteristics to a group or vice versa?

Errors of composition and division Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reasoning flaw occurs when one assumes that a future occurrence will reflect past events?

Time shift error Signup and view all the answers

What reasoning flaw distorts an argument to make it easier to argue against it rather than addressing the original claim?

Straw man Signup and view all the answers

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.

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Description

Test your understanding of critical thinking concepts and argument analysis with this quiz. It covers essential topics such as causal reasoning, assumptions, and validity in arguments. Challenge yourself to strengthen your reasoning skills and identify common pitfalls in argument evaluation.