Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

LSAT prep > Assumption Family > Flashcards

Assumption Family Flashcards

1
Q

Every assumption family contains

A

A conclusion - the author’s main point - an assertion, evaluation, or recommendation
Evidence - facts and information the author presents in support of the conclusion
An assumption - the unstated premise that logically connects the evidence to the conclusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

mismatched concepts arguments

A

The author moves from a discussion of particular terms and concepts in the evidence to a conclusion that introduces a new seemingly unrelated term or concept

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

overlooked possibilities argument

A

The author uses relevant evidence to jump to a conclusion that is too extreme, without considering potential objections or alternatives to that conclusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

How can you tell an argument contains mismatched concepts?

A

The terms or concepts in the evidence appear unrelated to the conclusion.
A new term or concept - not related to the evidence - appears in the conclusion

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Most commonly assumed relationships between mismatched concepts

A

the terms or concepts are alike or equivalent
The terms or concepts are mutually exclusive
One term or concept is needed for the other
One term or concept represent another

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Formal logic in mismatched concepts

A

Most assumption family questions do not have conditional statements at all
The most important skill is developing mismatched concepts arguments is the ability to recognize the gap between evidence and conclusion and then connect the mismatched terms of concepts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

When tackling an argument that has overlooked possibilities

A
  1. Focus on the conclusion
  2. Determine the possible objections to that conclusion
  3. Understand the assumption in negative terms: the author assumes that the possible objections are not present or did not happen
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Identifying overlooked possibilities:

A
  1. Terms in the evidence are related to the conclusion
  2. Conclusion reached is too strong or extreme based on the evidence.
  3. The author has failed to consider possible objections to the conclusions
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Overlooked possibilities are best thought of as negative assumptions - why?

A
  • they are about all of the things that the author did not consider or did not mention considering or ruling out as possibilities
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Common patterns and relationships in arguments with overlooked possibilities

A

No other explanation, reason, or outcome - Conclusion that posits only one explanation or reason for something or only one likely outcome

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Necessity versus sufficiency: assuming that what is sufficient is actually necessary

A

Occasionally, though, an author will commit a formal logic error in an overlooked possibilities argument.
This happens when an argument either confuses sufficient and necessary terms or incorrectly negates the terms. The result of both of these errors is that the author overlooks other potential causes for a given event

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Three possible objections to any casual argument

A
  1. There is an alternate cause.
  2. The causation is reversed
  3. The correlation is purely coincidental
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

types of overlooked possibilities

A

Fails to consider other explanations, reasons, or outcomes based on the evidence
Confuses sufficient and necessary terms
Does not consider potential advantages or disadvantages when making a recommendation
Assumes that something will occur just because it could occur
Author arrives at a claim of causation based on evidence that is only correlated
Prediction is based on an assumption that circumstances will or will not change

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument depends?
what type of assumption are you looking for?

A

necessary - the one that is required for the conclusion to follow

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Sufficient assumption questions

A

Find an assumption that would be sufficient to establish the conclusion from the evidence (when added to the evidence, the assumption will guarantee that the conclusion is true)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

these words indicate what type of question
“if assumed”, “conclusion follows logically”, “or allows the conclusion to be drawn”

A

sufficient assumption

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

these words indicate what type of question “needs, requires, depends”

A

necessary assumption

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

sufficient question strategy

A

Goal is to find the mismatched terms between the evidence and the conclusion, connect those terms, and eliminate any answer choices that bring in outside information
Recognize these questions by the phrasing “if assumed” or “conclusion follows logically”
The correct answer, when combined with the evidence, will guarantee the conclusion
Mismatched concept arguments with formal logic dominates sufficient assumption questions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

sufficient assumption questions use overlooked possibilities, mismatched concepts, or both?

A

mismatched concepts

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

how are necessary assumption questions different than sufficient assumption questions?

A

Different than sufficient assumption questions in that they ask for an assumption that is necessary for the argument’s conclusion to make sense

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Which one of the following is an assumption that the argument requires in order for its conclusion to be properly drawn?
sufficient or necessary

A

necessary

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Which one of the following, if assumed, allows the argument’s conclusion to be properly drawn?
sufficient or necessary?

A

sufficient

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

necessary assumption questions use overlooked possibilities, mismatched concepts, or both?

A

both

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

strategy for necessary assumption questions

A

Recognize these questions by the phrasing “an assumption required by the argument” or “the argument depends on the assumption that”
The correct answer does not have to be sufficient for the conclusion to be drawn, just necessary
Both mismatched concepts and overlooked possibilities arguments will be tested
Use the denial test to distinguish the correct answer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
overlooked possibility in necessary assumption questions
your approach will change slightly. Seek an answer choice that removes at least one possible objection to the author’s conclusion
26
Flaw questions
Asked to determine the error in the author’s reasoning
27
Stem: “point out a flaw, identify the error in reasoning, vulnerable to criticism”
flaw questions
28
Flaw questions are dominated by these common argument types
Overlooked possibilities: failure to consider alternative explanations Overlooked possibilities: a conclusion of causation based on evidence of correlation Overlooked possibilities: confusing necessary and sufficient terms Mismatched concepts: including alike/equivalent, mutually exclusive, and representation
29
Mismatched concepts - equivocation
Equivocation - using the same word or phrase twice in an argument but with two different meanings almost never shows up as a correct answer
30
Mismatched concepts - parts to whole
Very similar to representation argument Argument looks at one piece of something and uses that to make a conclusion about the entirety of that thing OR author looks at many pieces individually and then makes a deduction regarding the pieces together
31
Circular reasoning
Argument in which the author uses equivalent statements for both the evidence and conclusion Almost never shows up as a correct answer
32
Evidence contradicts conclusion
Ex: book did not sell well; nearly all copies printed were returned to the publisher. It follows that the publisher should print as many copies as possible. Common incorrect answer
33
extremely rare flaw arguments
Conflating numerical values with percentage values Using evidence of belief to draw a conclusion of fact Attacking a person making the argument instead of the argument itself Stating the absence of evidence is evidence of absence Making an inappropriate appeal to authority Failing to address the other speaker’s point
34
Look at answer choices and see the flawed argument they are describing Overlooks the possibility that there are some red cars that do not take unleaded gas
Overlooked possibilities
35
Look at answer choices and see the flawed argument they are describing Two events that merely occur together are taken as though one is the cause of the other
Flaw of confusing correlation for causation
36
Look at answer choices and see the flawed argument they are describing Bases a general claim on a few instances
Representation
37
Look at answer choices and see the flawed argument they are describing Treats as similar two cases that may be different in a fundamental way
Mismatched concepts - alike/equivalent
38
Look at answer choices and see the flawed argument they are describing Mistakes something that is necessary to bring about a situation for something that merely can bring about that situation
Overlooked possibilities - necessary vs sufficient
39
Look at answer choices and see the flawed argument they are describing Allows a key term to shift in meaning during the course of an argument
Equivocation
40
Look at answer choices and see the flawed argument they are describing Presupposes what it seeks to establish
Circular reasoning
41
Common wording of flaw types in answer choices - Overlooks the possibility that Ignores the possibility that Fails to consider Assumes only one possibility when more existed
Overlooked possibilities
42
Common wording of flaw types in answer choices - Mistakes a correlation for causation Presumes that because one event was followed by another, the first event caused the second Ignores the possibility that two things that occur together may be only coincidentally related
causation
43
Common wording of flaw types in answer choices - Confuses a result with a condition that is required to bring about that result Mistakes something that is necessary for a particular outcomes for something that is merely sufficient for that outcome Ignore the possibility that a particular outcome may be sufficient but not necessary for another
necessary vs sufficient
44
Common wording of flaw types in answer choices - Facts that are not directly related to the case are used to support a conclusion about it Draws an analogy between two things that are not alike enough in the ways they would need to be in order for the conclusion to be properly drawn
mismatched concepts
45
Common wording of flaw types in answer choices - Draws a general conclusion from a few isolated instances Generalizes from an unrepresentative sample Treats the children living in County X as though they were representative of all children living in State Y
representation
46
Common wording of flaw types in answer choices -Relies on an ambiguity in the term plant Allows a key phrase to shift in meaning from one use to the next Fails to provide a sufficient definition of a key term
equivocation
47
Common wording of flaw types in answer choices - The conclusion is no more than a restatement of the evidence used to support it Restates its conclusion without providing sufficient justification for accepting it Presupposes the truth of what it seeks to establish
circular reasoning
48
Common wording of flaw types in answer choices - The evidence undermines the conclusion Some of the evidence is inconsistent with other evidence presented Draws a recommendation that is inconsistent with the evidence given to support it
evidence contradicts the conclusion
49
Weaken questions
Tests ability to evaluate an argument and asks you to identify a piece of information that, if true, would weaken the author’s argument Does not mean you have to conclusively disprove the conclusion. Need to find a fact that makes the author’s conclusion less likely to be true based on evidence.
50
Key words indicating this type of question - weakens, calls into question, undermines
weaken questions
51
difference between weaken and flaw
Flaw - asked to describe the argument’s error in reasoning Weaken - testmaker wants you to identify a new piece of information, that if true, will undermine the author’s assumption and thus weaken the conclusion
52
weaken questions are usually overlooked possibilities or mismatched concepts
overlooked possbilities
53
strengthen questions
Identify a piece of information that, if true, would strengthen the argument Does not mean prove or confirm the conclusion
54
approach for strengthen questions
Mismatched concepts - look for answer choice that affirms the relationship the author assumes exists between mismatched terms Overlooked possibilities- seek answer choice that removes a potential objection that the author is overlooking In both - answer that provides info that directly strengthens the author’s conclusion
55
Weaken AND strengthen except questions
The correct answer does not need to strengthen or weaken an argument. The correct answer has no impact on the argument.
56
Evaluate questions
Break into evidence and conclusion, determine assumption and use that information to identify an answer choice that will help you evaluate an argument Answers are not straightforward strengtheners or weakeners, typically phrased as questions whose answers may or may not help you evaluate the validity of an argument Select an answer choice that allows you to say that the argument is strong or weak
57
what is a principle
law-like general rule that can be applied not only to the particular situation in an argument, but also to other comparable situations
58
Principle, proposition, policy, most likely conforms to, best illistrates, all indicate a ? question
principle
59
1. Identify the principle 2. Apply the principle 3. parallel principle
1. -asks to identify an applicable, more generalized principle in the answer choice 2. will present a general principle in the stimulus then ask you to identify a more specific, non-conflicting situation in the correct answer choice 3. combine the actions in identify and apply the principle questions. First identify the principle in the situation and then apply that general principle to a new specific situation located in one of the answer choices
60
parallel flaw strategy
Same approach as flaw questions - identify the author’s conclusion and evidence, and determine why her assumption is flawed. Correct answer will have flawed in precisely the same way Causation vs correlation, necessity vs sufficiency, unrepresentative sample… Identify the type of conclusion used in the stimulus argument. The correct conclusion type will match,
61
parallel principle questions
Need to identify the principle underlying the argument in the stimulus and then apply the principle to a similar argument in the correct answer Correct answer will likely discuss a different topic than the stimulus
62
Which of the following, if added to the premises, allows the argument’s conclusion to be properly drawn?
Sufficient assumption Correct answer will guarantee the conclusion
63
Which of the following best characterizes the argument’s error of reasoning?
Flaw question Correct answer will describe the flawed assumption
64
Each of the following, if true, casts doubt on the argument EXCEPT:
Weaken EXCEPT question Correct answer will either strengthen or have no effect on conclusion.
65
In evaluating the argument’s conclusion, it would be most valuable to know whether
Evaluate question Correct answer would provide information will either strengthen or weaken the conclusion.
66
Which of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
Necessary assumption Correct answer will state an assumption that is necessary for the conclusion to stand. Confirm answer using the denial test - when a necessary assumption is negated, the conclusion falls apart.
67
Which of the following, if true, would do most to justify the conclusion drawn above?
Strengthen question Correct answer will strengthen the conclusion by supporting the assumption
68
Which of the following, if true, most calls into question the argument above?
Weaken question Correct answer will weaken the conclusion by attacking the assumption
69
The reasoning in the argument above is questionable because…
Flaw question Correct answer will describe the argument’s flawed assumption
70
Which of the following is an assumption upon which the argument depends?
Necessary assumption question Correct answer will state an assumption that is necessary for the conclusion to stand. Confirm correct answer by the denial test - when the correct answer is negated, the conclusion falls apart
71
The argument is vulnerable to criticism on which of the following grounds?
Flaw question Correct answer will describe the argument’s flawed assumption
72
Which of the following lends most support to the argument above?
Strengthen question Correct answer will support conclusion by supporting the assumption
73
The conclusion drawn above is unwarranted because
Flaw Correct answer will describe the argument’s flawed assumption
74
Which of the following principles most helps justify the reasoning above?
Principle-strengthen Correct answer will strengthen the conclusion in broadly worded terms.
75
The conclusion of the argument follows logically if which one of the following is presupposed?
Sufficient assumption Correct answer will guarantee the conclusion
76
Which of the following, if true, most undermines the argument above?
Weaken question Correct answer will weaken the conclusion by attacking the argument’s assumption.
77
The author makes which one of the following assumptions?
Necessary assumption Correct answer will state an assumption that is necessary for the conclusion to stand. Confirm correct answer by the denial test - when the correct answer is negated, the conclusion falls apart
78
The flawed reasoning in which one of the following is most similar to that in the argument above?
Parallel flaw Correct answer will contain argument that is flaws in the same way that the argument in the stimulus is flawed

LSAT prep (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions