Chapter 2: Basics

Question 1

LSAT stimuli fall into 2 categories:

Answer 1

1. Argument
2. Set of facts

Question 2

what is primary objective #1

Answer 2

determine if stimulus is argument or facts

Question 3

what are the premise indicator words

Answer 3

1. because
2. since
3. for, for example
4. for the reason that
5. in that
6. given that
7. as indicated by
8. due to
9. owing to
10. this is seen from
11. we know this by

Question 4

what are the conclusion indicator words

Answer 4

1. thus
2. therefore
3. hence
4. consequently
5. as a result
6. so
7. accordingly
8. clearly
9. must be that
10. shows that t
11. concludes
12. follows that
13. for this reason

Question 5

if there is a conclusion stem . . .

Answer 5

identify if before identifying the question stem

Question 6

primary objective #2

Answer 6

if the stimulus contains an argument, identify the conclusion. if it contains a fact set, examine each fact

Question 7

what is “conclusion/premise form”

Answer 7

when the premise is held by commas after the conclusion indicator.
Ex: “Therefore, since (premise)

Question 8

additional premise indicators

Answer 8

1. furthermore
2. moreover
3. besides
4. in addition
5. what’s more

Question 9

counter premises

Answer 9

points that can be brought up to compare and contrast or to minimize the damage of a counterpoint

Question 10

counter premise indicators

Answer 10

1. but
2. yet
3. however
4. on the other hand
5. admittedly
6. although
7. in contrast
8. even though
9. still
10. whereas
11. after all
12. in spite of
13. despite

Question 11

how do you recognize conclusions without indicators #1

Answer 11

you can try to turn an argument into a conversation.
Ex: conclusion. Really? Why? Premise.

Question 12

how do you recognize conclusions without indicators #2

Answer 12

conclusion identification method.
take the statements and place them in order so one is conclusion. then add indicators. do this until it logically makes sense.

Question 13

Whats a simple conclusion

Answer 13

premise -> conclusion

Question 14

whats a complex conclusion

Answer 14

premise -> conclusion/premise->conclusion

Question 15

primary objective #3

Answer 15

if the stimulus contains an argument, determine if it is strong or weak.
*ask if the premise justifies the conclusion

Question 16

whats an inference

Answer 16

what follows from an argument
(i.e., conclusion)(after argument). must be true

Question 17

whats an assumption

Answer 17

what is taken for granted in an argument
(i.e. before argument) must be true

Question 18

primary objective #4

Answer 18

read closely and know precisely what the author said. do not generalize

Question 19

what are the quantity indicators

Answer 19

1. all
2. every
3. most
4. many
5. some
6. several
7. few
8. sole
9. only
10. not all
11. none

Question 20

what are the probability indicators

Answer 20

1. must
2. will
3. always
4. not always
5. probably
6. likely
7. should
8. would
9. not necessarily
10. could rarely
11. never