Assumption question tricks Flashcards
name some keywords to identify a conclusion
as a result, thus, therefore, so, as a result, it follows, clearly
opinion language in a conclusion
should, ought, will
1 sentence test
pinpoint a sentence that is the most important details that the author wants to get across
facts/evidence keywords
Keywords - since, because, for, after all…
After all - signals that there is a conclusion before it
contrast or rebuttal words
however, but, yet, although
continuation words
also, in addition, moreover, and
if you see this keyword, it is connecting two pieces of evidence
logical reasoning method
- Identify the question type
- Untangle the stimulus - where we paraphrase
- Make a prediction
- Evaluate the answer choices
what is the first thing you do with weaken questions?
first, always, we want to look for an alternative explanation
what if you see “if” in the question stem
sufficient assumption
types of filler
alternate point of view (“some people believe”)
asides (lift out of argument, has no effect)
examples
background information
subordinate evidence
which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
nec assumption
which one of the following most accurately describes a reasoning flaw in the argument?
flaw
Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?
strength
Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolves the apparent paradox described above?
paradox
The argument’s conclusion is strongly supported if which one of the following completes the passage?
sufficient assumption
The reasoning is questionable in that it…
flaw
The author’s reasoning is most strongly supported if which one of the following is true?
sufficient assumption
Which one of the following, if true, most calls into question the author’s reasoning?
weaken
Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apartment conflict above?
paradox
Which of the following is the conclusion of the argument?
main point
Which of the following is the overall conclusion of the argument?
main point
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument relies?
nec assumption
Which one of the following is an argumentative technique used by scientists?
method of argument
The dialogue provides the most support for the claim that X and Y disagree whether
point at issue
Every assumption family argument contains the following:
Conclusion (main point, assertion, evaluation, or recommendation), evidence (facts/information), assumption (unstated premise that connects C to E).
use the method
conclusion because evidence
mismatched concepts
Concepts in the evidence appear unrelated to those in the conclusion
A concept not discussed in the evidence is used in the conclusion.
Idea is that mismatched concepts when the author brings up a concept/idea in the conclusion. How are we going to draw a conclusion about it if we do not know any thing? There must be a concept that is dangling that you are assuming a connection between.
overlooked possibilities
Concepts in the evidence and conclusion ARE related. BUT the conclusion is too extreme for evidence (uses strong language or suggests that it MUST be this way)
are inferences arguments
no
Difference between inference and strengthen questions:
Question stems - inference questions
If X’s statements are true, then which one of the following must be true?
The word support comes in a lot
Flows downwards, the stimulus is providing support.
Strengthen questions
Flow upwards, answers support the stimulus
IDUS acronym -> inference down, UP strengthen
can an inference be simple
yes
inference - wimpy or strong?
wimpy
An inference can never be stronger than the stimulus
If formal logic involved, then can support a stronger answer choice.
traps with inferences
- Out of the scope (it talks about things that the author does not), irelevant comparisons (author does not make a comparison and the answer does, then eliminate)
- TOO Extreme language (language is stronger than used by the author, inference can never be more certain than the stimulus)
- 180 (answer is opposite for what we are looking for, answer contradict something you read)
necessary assumption process
1st look for mismatched concepts between conclusion and evidence, if you cannot find the mismatched concepts then overlooked possibilities
avoid or pursue extreme answers:
necessary assumption
once you know that it is a sufficient assumption question, you need weak or strong language in the answer?
strong! need to prove the conclusion
what is filler?
arguments in LR have more than just evidence and conclusions, LSAT adds extra details to hide the logic
can you ignore filler?
YES 99% of the time, the role of the statement is the only question type where you cannot.
name the question types where we can ignore filler
necessary assumption, sufficient assumption, strengthen/weaken, flaw
look for conclusion first and then
backtrack a sentence to the evidence
name the types of filler
alternative point of view
asides
examples
background information
subordinate evidence
which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?
necessary assumption
which one of the following most accurately describes a reasoning flaw in the argument?
flaw
Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?
strengthen
Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolves the apparent paradox described above?
paradox
The argument’s conclusion is strongly supported if which one of the following completes the passage?
sufficient assumption
want to find a FIRM ANSWER
The reasoning is questionable in that it…
flaw
The author’s reasoning is most strongly supported if which one of the following is true?
sufficient assumption
Which one of the following, if true, most calls into question the author’s reasoning?
weaken
what is the difference between weaken / flaw question?
flaw asks what is already wrong with the argument. Weaken will bring in new information.
Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apartment conflict above?
paradox
Which of the following is the conclusion of the argument?
main point
Which of the following is the overall conclusion of the argument?
main point
Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument relies?
nec assumption
The author’s argument depends on which one of the following assumptions?
nec assumption
The author’s argument makes which one of the following assumptions?
nec assumption
The conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?
suf assumption
The overall conclusion is strongly supported if which one of the following is assumed?
suf assumption
The conclusion can be properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed?
suf assumption
Need to close the gap between evidence and conclusion completely. Answer is usually extreme.
suf assumption
Just want the bare minimum to be true to have the conclusion be possible
nec assumption
Which one of the following is a questionable technique used by the author?
flaw
The argument overlooks which one of the following possibilities?
flaw
The argument is vulnerable to criticism in that it.
flaw
The author’s argument contains which one of the following errors in reasoning?
flaw
The argument is most strongly supported if which one of the following is true?
strengthen
Which one of the following, if true, most justifies the author’s reasoning?
strengthen
Which one of the following adds the most support to the argument?
strengthen
The answer to which of the following questions would be most helpful in evaluating the argument above?
strengthen
When you are told that the answer choices should be treated as true, then it will only be one of three question types
strengthen, weaken, paradox
what is the strategy for strengthen/weaken questions
make a general prediction
If the statements above are true, which one of the following must be true?
inference, must be true
Which one of the following most accurately expresses the overall conclusion drawn in the author’s argument?
main point
Which one of the following is an argumentative technique used by scientists?
method of argument
The dialogue provides the most support for the claim that X and Y disagree whether
point at issue
role of statement
The claim that there has been no increase in the last decade plays which one of the following roles in the argument?
The situation described above best illistrates which one of the following propositions?
principle
Every assumption family argument contains the following
Conclusion (main point, assertion, evaluation, or recommendation), evidence (facts/information), assumption (unstated premise that connects C to E).
are mismatched concepts and overlooked possibilities assumptions?
no they are mistakes
what are mismatched concepts
Concepts in the evidence appear unrelated to those in the conclusion, A concept not discussed in the evidence is used in the conclusion.
what are overlooked possibilities
Concepts in the evidence and conclusion ARE related. BUT the conclusion is too extreme for evidence
are inferences arguments
no
things to remember about LSAT inferences
An inference follows only from facts given. No outside knowledge is required.
An inference need not be mind-blowing. Sometimes it will be simple, even obvious.
An inference may come from a single fact, or it may require combining multiple facts. It may not be necessary to take into account all of the facts given in the stimulus.
wimpy or strong language in answers for inferences
wimpy, an inference can never be stronger than the stimulus
to confirm a valid inference
Begin with the most concrete/definite statements provided.
Carefully note and interpret keywords
Stay alert to the relationships between sentences
Don’t bother to predict if prediction seems impossible
Watch for common wrong answer types
Common mismatched concept patterns
equivalent
representation
need one for the other
mutually exclusive
nec assumption right answers
AVOID extreme answers. Looking for something that needs to be true.
The only way an extreme answer is right is if there is similar language about the same topic in the stimulus.
