General Critical Reasoning Strategies

Question 1

What are the Skills that the examiners are trying to test in Critical reasoning?

Answer 1

Attention to detail

Logical reasoning

Critical analysis

Vison

Good judgement

Execution of best judgement

Question 2

On average how much time should you spend on a verbal question

Answer 2

23 questions for 45mins

1.5 mins / Question

Question 3

The first thing to do when you encounter a CR passage is to ……

Answer 3

Identify the Heart of the passage by…

1. Identifying the main point ;
   
   • conclusion
     -discrepancy
   • paradox
   • hypothesis
   • argument vs set of facts
     Their words or your words?
2. How did the author get there? what supported his/her argument (logical structure)?
   - Their words or your words?
   - Link the logic!!!!
3. if an argument, Determine whether the argument is “strong” or “weak”.
   -Does the given facts support the conclusion?
   
   • Does the conclusion go beyond the scope of the premise?

4.Keep the main point and logical structure in mind when approaching question stem and answer choice.

5. What does the question really ask?
6. what does each option really say ? and what is its logical implication to the main point?

other tips

• Don’t jump straight to the question
• Make the upfront investment to digest the passage first. This helps you answer more efficiently, preventing back and forth.
• Read ALL the answer choices and eliminate all wrong answers until you get the right one

Question 4

General CR examiner tricks 1

Answer 4

1. Placing a highly attractive wrong answer choice immediately before the right answer choice, hoping that you will pick the wrong one and move to the next question without going through the rest of the answer options.

Strategy- Read all 5 answer choices carefully to avoid this trap

Question 5

What are the parts of an argument?

Answer 5

Conclusion

Evidence/ Premise

Assumption

Background Information

Question 6

What CR strategy is better?

Reading the passage first
Reading the Question stem first

Answer 6

Reading the passage First, then question stem, then 5 answer choices.. is the best strategy.

In summary its a HINDERANCE to read the question first and Not a HELP

Because;

• Understanding the passage is key to answering any question.
  reading the question stem first undermines your ability to fully understand the passage
• Reading the question stem first makes you waste time, as you will read quest-passage-quest again
  -Some question stem add new info not in the passage and this may confuse/distract you.
  -If you are a truly knowledgeable test taker, the question stem will often be predictable from understanding the passage

Question 7

General CR examiner tricks 2

Answer 7

They use small, seemingly nitpick variations in phrasing to test your reading and attention to detail.

Strategy - read very carefully, do not skip words

Question 8

General CR examiner tricks 3

Answer 8

They use big words/terminology (e.g in science passages) to confuse you and to make you miss the main point.

Strategy - Focus on understanding the relationship of the ideas and ignore big terminologies used. Reading passages is about seeing past the topic to analyse the structural relationships present in the stimulus.
Once you are able to see these relationships, the topic will become less important-

Question 9

The CR Primary objectives (when approaching a passage)

Answer 9

1. Determine whether the passage is an argument or a set of facts
   
   • identifying presence /absence of a conclusion
   • paradox
   • 2 speakers etc
2. If the stimulus contains an argument, identify the conclusion/main point
   -how did the author support its main point
   - what statement supports what? and how they lead up to the main point
   - What is the logical flow map?
   - look for the connection/inferences between premises
   
   • their words or my words?
3. If the stimulus contains a set of facts, examine each fact
   
   • main pont? conclusion, descripancy etc
     -how did the author support its main point
     - what statement supports what? and how they lead up to the main point
     - look for the connection between premises
   • their words or my words?
   • scope, intent, language of author
4. Map the logical link in your head like a flow chart!
5. Determine whether the argument is “strong” or “weak”. …. is there a logical gap?/missing link
   -Does the given facts support the conclusion?
   
   • Does the conclusion go beyond the scope of the premise?
6. if a conclusion is present, pre-think of the most critical assumptions. If set of facts, still pre-think the inferences from multiple statements, scope, and where the passage us leading to (direction of passage)
7. Read Closely and know precisely what the author said. Do not generalise! Pay attention to “modifiers”! Avoid Para-phrasing!
8. Carefully read and identify the question stem. What is this question stem asking of me? Do not assume that certain words are automatically associated with certain question types.
9. After reading the question stem, take a moment to mentally recap details you just gathered As is stated.
   -Look for Logical connections between statements
   - their words not your words
   - don’t just jump to answer choices
10. Phrase the right question in your head that will enable you eliminate and choose the right answer with precision.
11. Always read each of the five answer choices completely. Ask yourself… What is this option saying (main point?
12. As you read each option and undertsand it, then ask …………….so does the {main point of option} answer my question {question you have phrased for pricision}? Yes/No
13. If i have 2 or more “could be true” - look for clues of nuances between the contenders to find reasons to eliminate.
14. If still not able to eliminate, read all 5 ans choices again
15. if If all five answer choices appear to be Losers, return to the question stem for clue or nuance missed
16. IF not able, read passage again for clues and nuances and re-evaluate argument.
17. When deliberating the last 2, Ask yourself “do i have clear evidence to eliminate this?”. Do not select the one that feels right but the one that does not have any reason to eliminate.

Question 10

CR Execution strategy

Answer 10

1. Is it an argument or a set of facts?
2. What is the main point?
3. What is the logic structure of this argument?
   How is it supported?
   What are the logical connections?
4. Is the argument weakly or Strongly supported?
5. What is the extent, direction or scope of the argument?
6. What is the question stem asking of me?
7. As I read each answer choice, what is this choice saying?
8. What is the logical implication of what this answer choice is saying?
9. Do I have Clear proof why I choose to eliminate this choice?
10. Is my final answer supported by the passage?

Question 11

Premise indicators

Answer 11

1. Because
2. Since
3. For
4. For example
5. For the reason that
6. In that
7. Given that
8. As Indicated by
9. Due to
10. Owing to
11. This can be seen from
12. We know this by

Question 12

Conclusion indicators

Answer 12

Thus
Therefore
Hence
Consequently
As a result
So
Accordingly
Clearly
Must be that
Shows that
Conclude that
Follows that
For this reason

Question 13

General CR examiner tricks 4

Answer 13

They arrange premise and conclusions in a way to confuse you, By placing conclusion indicator and premise indicator back-to-back, separated by a come.

Therefore, since …
Thus, because …
Hence, due to …

E.g
Therefore, since higher debts has forced consumers to lower their savings, banks now have less money to loan.

Premise - higher debts ….their savings
Conclusion- banks now have….to loan

Question 14

What is an Additional Premise & list its indicators

Answer 14

Additional premise may/may not be essential to the argument but provides additional support for the conclusion and could be, if needed, used to prove the conclusion separately (if an objection was raised to the first premise)

Indicators;
Additionally
Furthermore
Moreover
Besides
In addition
What’s more

Question 15

What is a Counter-premise & list its indicators

Answer 15

A counter premise is a premise that contains an idea that is in contrast to the argument. Brings up points to compare and contrast, or points of opposition to a previously raised point.

Contrats Indicators;
But
Yet
however
on the other hand
admittedly
in contrast
even so (despite what has just been said)
Although
even though
still
whereas
in spite of
despite
after all

Question 16

What is the “Conclusion identification Method” used for?
How is it used?

Answer 16

It is a trick used to identify “conclusions without indicators”

How its used;
If you have two statements A & B.
use this template -

BECAUSE “statement A”, WE CAN CONCLUDE THAT “statement B”. - Does this make sense?

if no, then reverse it
BECAUSE “statement B”, WE CAN CONCLUDE THAT “statement A”

Question 17

What “clue” in a passage will make you suspect an “Opposing view” will be introduced?

Answer 17

Author raise a viewpoint at the beginning and then disagree with it immediately after

E.g
Some people claim…
Some people propose …
Some argue that …
Some critics claim …
Some scientists believe that…
It has been claimed that…

Question 18

Strong vs Weak argument

Answer 18

Weak - the premise does not support the conclusion. The conclusion may go beyond the scope of the premise.

Strong - the premise clearly proves the conclusion.

Note that the strength of an argument is based solely on the degree to which the premises prove the conclusion.

Question 19

Quantity Indicators

Answer 19

These indicators/modifiers refer to the amount/quantity in the relationship.

all
every
some
most
many
several.
a few
sole /only / exclusively
not all
none
at least one
A majority
A minority

Question 20

Probability indicators

Answer 20

These indicators/modifiers refer to ‘likelihood of occurrence’

must
will
can
may
always
not always
probably
likely
typically
generally
usually
often
should
would
not necessarily
could
rarely
never
uniquely

Question 21

What is a conclusion?

Answer 21

The authors statement of opinion/belief, the main point that all the information in the passage is leading up to.

Question 22

In CR we can argue with the premise

True of False?

Answer 22

False

We never ague with the premise. It is considered as FACT.

Question 23

Some

Answer 23

more than 1, possibly all

Question 24

Many

Answer 24

a large number of

Question 25

Several

Answer 25

3 or more but not many

Question 26

A few

Answer 26

not many but more than 1

Question 27

Majority

Answer 27

> 50% synonymous with "most"

Question 28

Minority

Answer 28

< 50%

Question 29

Uniquely

Answer 29

In a way that makes something or someone the only one

Question 30

Opinion indicators

Answer 30

Clearly Assert Argue that Believe Claim Contend Opinion Propose Should

Question 31

Simple vs Complex arguments

Answer 31

Unlike simple arguments that contain only 1 conclusion, Complex arguments contain more than one conclusion. In these instances, one of the conclusions is the main conclusion, and the other conclusions are subsidiary conclusions (also known as sub-conclusions).

Question 32

2 Forms of complex arguments

Answer 32

1. one of the most commonly used complex argument forms is to place the main conclusion in the first sentence of the argument, and then to place the sub-conclusion in the last sentence of the argument, preceded by a conclusion indicator. This form is quite useful since it tends to trick students into thinking the last sentence is the main conclusion. 2. Another form of complex argumentation occurs with two-speaker stimuli. In these questions, two separate speakers are identified, and each presents his or her own argument or comment.

Question 33

Inference vs Assumption

Answer 33

an inference can be defined as something that must be true. Thus, if you are asked to identify an inference of the argument, you must find an item that must be true based on the information presented in the argument. an assumption is simply the same as an unstated premise—what must be true in order for the argument to be true. In one sense, an assumption occurs “before” the argument, that is, while the argument is being made. An inference is made “after” the argument is complete, and follows from the argument.

Question 34

Things to beware of in CR passages

Answer 34

- dates / numbers - modifiers - extent of passage e.g all/none, some/most, best/effective -

Question 35

# How do you approach this question prompt Which of the following is **most supported** by the passage?

Answer 35

1. the correct answer** must be true** ( supported by facts in the passage whether it introduces new information or not) 2. The correct answer may capture the **main point** or be an **inference** 3. if i am stuck between 2 options that are supported by passage facts, i will look for **clues in the question stem** to decide which is the best answer (conclusion or inference)

Question 36

List the question types in the "**Prove/Must be true**" family

Answer 36

1. inference/Must be true 2. Conclusion/main point 3. Method of reasoning 4. Flaw of reasoning 5. Parallel reasoning

Question 37

How do you aproach questions in the **prove** family?

Answer 37

**[Stumulus] --------> [Anwer]** accepted ------------under suspicion 1. The stimulus/argument **proves** the answer choice is correct 2. The stimulus/argument** must be accepted as fact** even if it contains a flaw in the argument. You must use **only what was stated** in the stimulus to prove the answer choice. 3. The correct answer choice **must be supported by the stimulus.** Any option that contains information (existing / new) not supported by the stimulus is **incorrect**

Question 38

List the question types in the "**help**" family

Answer 38

1. Assumption 2. Strengthen the argument 3. Resolve the paradox 4. Justify the conclusion

Question 39

How do you aproach questions in the **help** family?

Answer 39

**[Stimulus]<------[Answer]** under supicion-----accepted 1. The answer choice helps the authors argument/statement in some way 2. The stimulus is under suspicion. Often there are reasoning errors or logic gaps, and you are asked to **find an answer choice that helps to close this gap**. 3. You must **accept** the **answer choices as fact,** even if it includes **new/outside information** not in the stimulus. ## Footnote “Which one of the following, if true,...” By including this phrase, the test makers indicate that they wish you to treat each answer choice as factually correct.

Question 40

List the question types in the "**hurt**" family

Answer 40

Weaken the argument

Question 41

How do you aproach questions in the **hurt** family?

Answer 41

**[Stimulus]<---/---[Answer]** 1. The answer choice **attacks** the argument 2.The stimulus is under suspicion. Often there are reasoning errors or logic gaps, and you are asked to find an answer choice that **further widens this gap.** 3.You must **accept **the **answer choices as fact**, even if it includes **new/outside information** not in the stimulus. ## Footnote opp of "help" family

Question 42

List the question types in the "**Cannot be true**" family

Answer 42

Cannot be true questions

Question 43

How do you aproach questions in the **Cannot be true** family?

Answer 43

**[Stimulus]---/---> [Answer]** 1. You use the stimulus to prove that one of the answer choices cannot occur or that the answer choice disagress with the information in the stimulus. 2. You must **accept the stimulus information**—even if it contains an error of reasoning—and use it to **prove that one of the answer choices cannot occur**. 3. The **correct answer** choice will **directly disagree** with the stimulus ## Footnote Opp of "prove" family

Question 44

When a passage **does not contain a conclusion**, suspect...

Answer 44

1. inference/must be true 2. conclusion/main point 3. cannot be true 4. resolve the paradox

Question 45

How do you approach passages without a conclusion?

Answer 45

Is there a paradox/discrepancy? 1. if **yes**, think... "**resolve the paradox**" 2. if **no**, think... "** inference/must be true**" or "**main point/conclusion**"

Question 46

When you see **passages with flawed or weak arguments that contain logic gaps**, think....

Answer 46

weaken or strengthen the argument

Question 47

Method of reasoning VS Flaw in reasoning

Answer 47

Flaw in the Reasoning question stems explicitly note that the stimulus contains an error of reasoning. In a Method of Reasoning question the stimulus contains valid or invalid reasoning.

Question 48

What is parallel reasoning?

Answer 48

Parallel Reasoning questions are a one-step extension of Method of Reasoning questions in that you must first identify the type of reasoning used and then parallel it.

Question 49

# How do you approach this question stem ... "Which of the following **most** weakens the argument" Which of the following **most** strengthens the argument Which of the following **Most** ......

Answer 49

**Most** is a trigger to suspect ..... You may have 2 or more choices that are very close . you have to pick the option that best answers/strengthens/weakenns (and with valid proof) ## Footnote Normally, the difference between the two answer choices is significant enough for you to make a clear distinction as to which one is the correct one.

Question 50

**Evaluate the argument** fits into which family?

Answer 50

it fits into both "**help**" and "**hurt**" family

Question 51

# What question type is this? “Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the viewpoint of the historians described above?”

Answer 51

Resolve the paradox ## Footnote Explanation: The presence of the phrase “Which one of the following, if true,”indicates that this question stem must be from either the help or hurt question family. Because the hurt family is Weaken, and the question stem asks you to “explain,” the question cannot be from the hurt family. Thus, the question must be from the help family and can only be an Assumption, Justify,Strengthen, or Resolve question. The idea of explaining is most closely aligned with Resolving the Paradox.

Question 52

What are the **keywords** that signal assumption questions?

Answer 52

Required/necessaryfor the conclusion Required/necessary assumption

Question 53

# Identify the question type “The advertisement proceeds by”...

Answer 53

By asking how the advertisement “proceeds,” the test makers wish to know the way in which the argument is made, in other words, the method of the reasoning.

Question 54

# Identify th question type “Which one of the following, if assumed, would allow the conclusion to be properly drawn?”

Answer 54

the presence of the words “**if**” and “**properly drawn**” along with “**assumed**” normally indicate a Justify question, as they do here.

Question 55

What is the strategy for seeing **Except** in the question stem?

Answer 55

“Each of the following weakens the argument EXCEPT,” One correct answer: Does not weaken Four incorrect answers: weakens so in options A to E A weakens- > ❌ B weakens- > ❌ C weakens- > ❌ D weakens- > ❌ E doesn't weaken- > ✅ E (no) ---> correct answer. ## Footnote so in normal question, if the option weekens you keep it, in "except" if the option weakens , you eliminate. In Except , you do the oposite of the original question

Question 56

How to you approach a "Least" in the question stem

Answer 56

when “**least**” appears in a question stem you should **treat it exactly the same as“except.**” Note: this advice holds **true only when this word appears in the question stem!** “Which one of the following, if true, helps LEAST to resolve the apparent discrepancy described above?” One correct answer: Does not Resolve the Paradox Four incorrect answers: Resolve the Paradox