Lesson 11: Situational Questions (paradox, principle above and situation conforms)

Question 1

Paradox

3 steps

Answer 1

1. read the question and ID question type
   
   • will tell you that the argument does not seem to make sense (two facts conflict w/ each other) and the correct AC will resolve the conflict between the two facts
   • the question stem will identify the actual outcome
2. argument analysis
3. go to answer choices
   
   • explain why the actual outcome is true
     
     • • correct AC will contain new info but it must be relevant to the paradox

Question 2

Paradox

the actual outcome

Answer 2

will be stated

**identify this first

Question 3

Paradox

the expected

Answer 3

the expected outcome is usually the opposite of the actual outcome
(will typically be unstated)

** rare (can be inferred by taking the negative of the actual)

Question 4

Paradox

Because statement

Answer 4

why we expected the wrong thing to happen

** most important part

Question 5

what does the contrast word do?

Answer 5

Contract word will usually separate the BECAUSE from the ACTUAL 
Ex: 
1. although bc, ac 
2. while bc, act 
3. bc. however act 
4. bc, yet act

Question 6

Paradox

key words

Answer 6

• paradox
• apparent discrepancy
• resolve
• explain

Question 7

Principle Above

3 steps

Answer 7

1. read the question and ID question type
   
   • will tell you if the principle is stated or illustrated
2. principle argument analysis (big LSAT concepts)
3. go to ACs
   
   • the correct AC will illustrate or apply the same principle as the main argument
     
     • potentially match the big lsat concepts identified in the main argument

Question 8

Principle Above

Principle Illustrated Above

Answer 8

argument will apply a general principle to a very specific situation (an illustration)
AC will apply the same principle to another specific situation

Question 9

Principle Above

Principle stated above

Answer 9

argument will present the principle in general terms and AC will apply the same principle to a more specific situation (an illustration)

Question 10

Principle Above

Big LSAT concepts

Answer 10

if/then statements 
causality 
comparisons 
recommendations 
strong language concepts like superlatives and 1%, 51% words ect
qualifiers 

• • these concepts will be part of the principle
• • need to generalize further when principle is illustrated above

Question 11

Principle above

key words

Answer 11

• principle illustrated above
• principle stated above
• policy above

Question 12

Situation Conforms

3 steps

Answer 12

1. read the question and ID question type
   
   • question stem will tell you that the argument above is the specific situation that is an ex of a more general AC
2. Argument analysis
   
   • 2 parts
3. go to AC
   
   • Correct AC will describe the relationship between the background and the result
   • prefer weak language in AC

Question 13

Situation Conforms

2 parts

Answer 13

1. the result: usually last and frequently ID’d by a contrast word (not full arguments so dont look for conclusions)
2. the background: something that happened or something that someone is trying to do

** before going to the ACs, assess the relationship between the background and the result (paraphrase and make the relationship sound vague. this will guide you to the right AC)