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Logical Reasoning Question TypesA careful analysis of past, released LSAT exams reveal that there is a limited number of types of questions that appear on the Logical Reasoning sections. We’ve listed them below, along with specific strategies for each one. If you haven’t done so yet, review Chapter 3 before going any further in this chapter. In our following discussion, we assume that you are familiar with the terminology and concepts found in Chapter 3. The Logical Reasoning question types found on the LSAT are
Question Type: AssumptionAssumption questions ask you to identify the missing link in the logic of the stimulus argument. Some example question stems are
StrategiesThe most time-efficient way to answer assumption questions is to recognize the missing link in the argument as you read the stimulus. Sometimes, the wording of the argument and the answer choices can be confusing. So, you might want to employ the technique of negating the answer choices that you want to test. Negation is fully explained in Chapter 3, “Introduction to LSAT Logic.” Because an assumption is an unstated piece of evidence, this technique “knocks out” each answer choice that you test, one by one. When you test the correct answer, you are knocking out a piece of evidence, and the argument should suffer accordingly. In tutoring sessions, we often use the analogy of testing to see if a wall within a house or an office is important to the structure by knocking the wall down to see if the roof falls in. If the roof falls in, we have shown that the wall was important. If there is no effect on the structure, the wall was not a load-bearing wall. In other words, the wall was irrelevant to the strength of the structure. Sample Assumption QuestionConsider the following example:
The best answer is D. You might be able to answer the question directly by simply recognizing the missing piece of evidence and selecting it. However, if you aren’t able to do so, you can still determine the correct answer by negating whichever answer choices you view as potentially correct. It is not likely that you will have time to carefully negate each choice presented. So, you will need to “filter out” choices that you find clearly irrelevant. Let’s say that you could easily recognize that answer choice C is irrelevant since it discusses Country Y and, therefore, it can’t possibly be the missing link between the stated evidence and the stated conclusion, which both involve Country X. Likewise, let’s say that you could eliminate answer choice B, which is about predicting the future, whereas the stimulus argument is about the recent past. That leaves answer choices A, D, and E still in contention. Try to negate answer choice A. You should come up with something like: “The causes of the declining birthrate in Country X cannot be discovered through physician surveys.” Since physicians play no part in the stimulus argument, you should recognize that neither the original phrasing of answer choice A, nor its negation, has any bearing on the relationship between the evidence and the conclusion stated in the argument. Similarly, negating E with “The causes of the declining birthrate in Country X are not primarily economic in nature,” has no impact on the likelihood that the conclusion is valid. However, if you negate answer choice D, you get “There was significant migration into Country X during the time under discussion.” This would dramatically call into question the stated conclusion that the population of Country X is declining measurably. Therefore, answer choice D must be correct. Question Type: Weaken/StrengthenYou will have to attack a significant number of weaken and strengthen questions in order to end up with a respectable LSAT score. This question type also sometimes appears in the Reading Comprehension section of the exam. Since the LSAT is set up to test your understanding of the structure of arguments, the correct answer choices for weakening and strengthening questions will more often undermine or support their respective conclusions structurally rather than by directly attacking stated evidence, or by providing new evidence. You can undermine conclusions by finding a key assumption in the argument and then finding the answer choice that will make that assumption more likely to be true or less likely to be true, as the case may be. Some example question stems are Weaken
Strengthen
StrategiesTo answer either a weaken or strengthen question, you must first identify the key assumptions in the argument. This should become second nature to you as you practice for test day. Once you become proficient at identifying assumptions, you can more easily choose answers that either support or undermine them. In some cases of weaken questions, the correct answer actually contradicts a statement made in the stimulus argument. Sample Weaken/Strengthen QuestionsConsider the following example:
The best answer is A. If journalists must be able to understand the principles of grammar in order to effectively use the software described, the conclusion of the argument—that less emphasis should be placed on such principles in journalism school—is less likely to be true. Answer choices B, D, and E are irrelevant to the argument. Answer choice C actually strengthens the argument by making the conclusion just slightly more likely to be true. Question Type: ConclusionThese questions ask you to draw a conclusion from evidence presented within the stimulus. In some cases, the conclusion that you are asked to draw is based on only part of the stimulus and will not necessarily be the main idea of the stimulus paragraph. Some conclusion questions use the terms “infer” and “imply.” Some example question stems are
StrategiesTo correctly answer these questions you must consider the validity of the argument. Look for the logical end of the chain of reasoning started in the stimulus argument. Sample Conclusion QuestionConsider the following example:
The best answer is E. According to the physician, the fact that the drug might be somewhat effective is not enough reason to continue to use it. The physician suggests that other factors beyond mere effectiveness, such as cost and side effects, be considered when deciding whether to use the drug. Answer choice A is incorrect because, although it might be inferred from evidence presented in the stimulus, the question stem calls for the main point of the argument. Answer choices B and C are incorrect because no comparison is made between the drug and any other form of treatment for the disease. Answer choice D is incorrect because the physician also contends that the side effects of the drug should be considered when deciding whether to use the drug. Question Type: Method of ArgumentMethod of argument questions ask you to recognize the way that the argument is put together. You must choose the answer that properly describes the structure of the stimulus argument. Some, but certainly not all, method of argument questions are based on dialogues. Some examples of question stems are
StrategiesTo answer these questions correctly, you must pay attention to the structure of the argument rather than to the content or subject matter. Describe the argument in your own words (paraphrase) and try to match up the analogous parts of your paraphrased argument to the answer choices. Sample Method of Argument QuestionConsider the following example:
The best answer is B. The additional evidence provided is regarding hormonal changes causing weight gain; the alternative interpretation of the correlation between sugar consumption and weight gain is the possibility that both the weight gain and sugar consumption are, in fact, caused by stress. Question Type: PrincipleThese questions ask you to identify a rule, or principle, that supports the stimulus argument presented. In some cases, you are required to choose an argument that conforms to the stimulus principle. Some example question stems are
StrategiesThe first step in answering these questions is to identify the rule or principle in the stimulus argument. Then, select the answer choice that relies on the same rule or principle. You should generally avoid any answer choices that include the same subject matter as that of the stimulus argument; focus on the rule or principle, not on the content. Sample Principle QuestionConsider the following example:
The best answer is E. The underlying principle in the stimulus argument is that it is best to work backward from a desired result in order to achieve that result. In the stimulus, the desired result is a successful party. In the correct answer, the desired result is a great golf shot. Answer choices B, C, and D are incorrect because they work forward rather than backward. Question Type: Point of ContentionThese questions always involve a dialogue between two people who disagree about something. You are expected to choose the answer that best describes the crux of the disagreement. Some sample question stems are
StrategiesYour first step is to understand, then succinctly summarize the first party’s argument. Next, determine where the first and second parties differ in their statements. Paraphrasing will help you get to the root of the argument and quickly locate the correct answer. Sample Point of Contention QuestionConsider the following example:
The best answer is B. Jason thinks that experts will become irrelevant because of direct public access to information. Mark thinks that the opposite will occur. Question Type: Role of FactSome of the questions ask about the role, or function, of a specific fact that is included in the stimulus argument. Some sample question stems are
StrategiesTo answer these questions correctly, you must determine the reason why the author included this particular fact or detail. Most of the incorrect answer choices will either be too narrow or too broad, or beyond the scope of the stimulus argument. Sample Role of Fact QuestionConsider the following example:
The best answer is D. The author of the argument asks the reader to go along with the supposition that recycling is not economically efficient in order to show that a mere aversion to consuming pristine resources might not be a sufficient, independent justification for recycling after all. Answer choices A, C, and E are incorrect because the argument does not actually show that there is no support for recycling. Answer choice B is incorrect because the argument is meant to question the reasons given for recycling, not to shore up the reasons given by environmentalists. Question Type: FlawThese questions ask you to identify an error of reasoning in the stimulus argument. Some sample question stems are
StrategiesThe question stem tells you that a problem exists with the logic of the argument. You just have to choose the answer that describes the flaw. Most flawed arguments include an unwarranted assumption; in other words, the argument is weakened by a missing link between the stated evidence and the stated conclusion. The author of the argument is taking something for granted that is not necessarily true. Sample Flaw QuestionConsider the following example:
The best answer is D. The survey results only show the opinions of consumers. The stimulus argument relies upon those beliefs as fact in concluding that Giant Motors dominates the automobile market. There is no reason to accept the opinion of consumers as an accurate measure of Giant Motors’s actual share of the automobile market. Each of the other answer choices describes an error in reasoning that is irrelevant to the stimulus argument. Question Type: ParadoxA paradox arises when you are presented with two statements that are both true, yet they appear to be mutually contradictory. The key words to help you spot paradox question stems are “explain” and “reconcile.” Some sample questions stems are
StrategiesThe stimulus argument in paradox questions usually includes a term that either must be redefined in order to resolve the paradox, or contains a misinterpretation of a term upon which the author relies. You must recognize the contradiction that exists and look for an answer choice that more clearly defines a critical term. We often refer to the “bumblebee paradox” with our tutoring students. Current research suggests that a bumblebee’s wings are aerodynamically unsound; as a result, a bumblebee should not be able to fly. However, bumblebees do fly, so clearly the term “aerodynamically unsound” is poorly defined. Sample Paradox QuestionConsider the following example:
The best answer is D. Answer choice D provides an explanation for the suggestion not to remove the asbestos. Essentially, this answer boils down to pointing out that the act of removal itself is more dangerous than simply leaving the hazard in place. Answer choices A, C, and E are all incorrect because they focus on other potential sources of harm rather than the apparent conflict between the two positions that the researchers hold simultaneously: 1) that asbestos can cause serious harm, and 2) that it should not be removed from schools. Answer choice B is incorrect because it focuses on financial issues rather than the seemingly logical inconsistency inherent in the researchers’ positions. Question Type: Parallel StructureThese questions ask you to match up two arguments that share structural characteristics. There are usually two parallel structure questions in each Logical Reasoning section. They are usually in the second half of the section, and they can usually be recognized by their length since each answer choice is a complete argument. Sometimes the stimulus argument is flawed. In such a case, you must identify the answer choice argument that shares the same flaw. Some sample question stems are
StrategiesOne way to approach the parallel structure questions is to reason by analogy. In other words, if you match up the analogous parts, the structure becomes clearer. The structure of the argument is more important than the content or subject matter of the argument. Do not be fooled by answer choices that refer to the same subject matter as that presented in the stimulus argument. You are expected to see past the facts presented and look at the relationship between the evidence and conclusion in the argument. Sample Parallel Structure QuestionConsider the following example:
The best answer is A. The flaw in the stimulus argument is that it concludes that a reproduction of a flawed reproduction cannot, itself, be an accurate reproduction. Answer choice A makes the same mistake. In this instance, Murcheson’s drawing and Katrina’s presentation fill the same role as one another in their respective arguments. And, video recording of Katrina’s presentation is analogous to the attempted reproduction in the stimulus argument. Some of the other answer choices are also flawed arguments; however, they do not share the same structure. Which of ABE's statements represents an interest?Which of Abe's statements represents an interest? "I want to be on time."
When Jenny decided to have a baby before she was married her parents were very upset?Answer and Explanation: The most correct answer to this question is option B, cultural norms.
Which of the following is the best definition of consensus as applied to consensus based decision making?In simple terms, consensus refers to agreement on some decision by all members of a group, rather than a majority or a select group of representatives. The consensus process is what a group goes through to reach this agreement.
Which three roles are part of conflict containment?And if resolution doesn't work, then you're left with the three containment roles-- witness, referee, and peacekeeper. In very difficult intractable conflicts, Ury says that you need all 10 roles working at once in order to be able to bring about effective peace making and peacebuilding.
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