Logical Reasoning

Question 1

How do you form a contrapositive statement?

Answer 1

Take the original relationship, flip it and then negate both terms

Question 2

What does the negative of X mean?

Answer 2

Not X

Question 3

What are the Group 1 sufficient indicators?

Answer 3

1. If
2. All
3. When
4. Whenever
5. Every
6. Anyone
7. Where
8. Any/the only

Question 4

What are the Group 2 necessary indicators?

Answer 4

1. Only/only ____
2. Always
3. Requires
4. Must
5. Necessitates

Question 5

What are the Group 3 indicators and how do you handle them?

Answer 5

Pick one of the components, negate it and make it the sufficient condition

1. Unless
2. Until
3. Without

Question 6

What are the Group 4 indicators and how do you handle them?

Answer 6

Same as Group 3, but make it the necessary condition

1. No
2. None
3. Never
4. Cannot
5. Not both

Question 7

How do you weaken an argument?

Answer 7

Concede the premises and show that the conclusion does not follow (DON’T ATTACK PREMISES)

Question 8

Do you accept the premises/conclusion or the answers with MSS questions?

Answer 8

The premises/conclusion

Question 9

Do you accept the premises/conclusion or the answers with Weakening questions?

Answer 9

The answers

Question 10

How do you handle strengthening questions?

Answer 10

Find gap between premise/conclusion and try to bolster it

Question 11

How do you handle MBT questions?

Answer 11

1. Ask if the conclusion must be true
2. Ask if you could say “not necessarily” (don’t fall for could be true)

Question 12

What should you do if the author’s scope/claims are broad and general?

Answer 12

Avoid answers that are specific or absolute

Question 13

Watch out for exaggerations (like going from “some” in the stimulus to “most” in the answer choices)

Answer 13

Ok

Question 14

What will correct answers usually offer in MBT questions?

Answer 14

1. Restate the stimulus (watch out for exaggerations/slight manipulations)

or

2. Result from combining two elements from the stimulus

Question 15

What’s the biggest logical trap you need to avoid?

Answer 15

Sufficient/Necessary swap

Question 16

What is true about correct answers for MBT?

Answer 16

They can always be proven by the stimulus

Question 17

What are some common question stems for MBT?

Answer 17

…which of the following must also be true? …which of the following can be properly inferred? …most strongly support which of the following?

Question 18

What types of answers should you avoid in MBT?

Answer 18

1. Could be true
2. Exaggerated
3. New information

Question 19

What types of incorrect answers appear for MP?

Answer 19

1. Answers that are true, but don’t encapsulate the point
2. Answers that repeat premises

Question 20

What does the word “some” mean?

Answer 20

At least one, possibly all

Question 21

What does the word “most” mean?

Answer 21

A majority, possibly all

Question 22

Do contrapositives exist for “most” or “some” statements?

Answer 22

No

Question 23

Which logical indicators DO NOT have reversible relationships?

Answer 23

All or most

Question 24

Which logical indicators do have reversible relationships?

Answer 24

None, some, if-but-only-if

Question 25

What is the square-rectangle of most, all, and some?

Answer 25

All → Most → Some

Question 26

What is the negative square-rectangle?

Answer 26

None → Most are not → Some are not

Question 27

What is a sufficient condition?

Answer 27

An event or circumstance whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.

Question 28

What is a necessary condition?

Answer 28

A necessary condition can be defined as an event or circumstance whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.

Question 29

What is the relationship between sufficient and necessary conditions?

Answer 29

If a sufficient condition occurs, you know that a necessary condition also occurs

Question 30

What logical issue should you watch out for?

Answer 30

Mistaken reversal (of the sufficient and necessary conditions)

Question 31

What phrases often introduce a sufficient condition?

Answer 31

1. If 2. When 3. Whenever 4. Every 5. Any 6. All 7. People who 8. In order to

Question 32

What phrases often introduce a necessary condition?

Answer 32

1. Then 2. Only 3. Only if 4. Must 5. Required 6. Unless 7. Except 8. Until 9. Without

Question 33

How should you handle Weaken questions?

Answer 33

1. Focus on the conclusion 2. Suspect information in the stimulus 3. New information is fine in Weaken questions

Question 34

What phrases often introduce Weaken questions?

Answer 34

1. Weaken 2. Attack 3. Undermine 4. Refute 5. Argue against 6. Call into question 7. Cast doubt 8. Challenge 9. Damage 10. Counter

Question 35

What should you be looking for in Weakening questions?

Answer 35

1. Incomplete information 2. Improper comparisons 3. Qualified conclusions

Question 36

If a stimulus is particularly difficult, beware answer choice A

Answer 36

Ok

Question 37

How do you attack a causal conclusion?

Answer 37

1. Find an alternate cause for the effect 2. Show that when the cause happens, the effect does not follow 3. Show that the effect can occur w/o the cause being present 4. Show reverse causality 5. Show the statistics used are questionable

Question 38

For Strengthen, Justify the Conclusion, and Assumption questions: what part of the stimulus should you focus on?

Answer 38

The conclusion

Question 39

What will the correct answer choice for a Strengthen question do?

Answer 39

Strengthen the argument by 1-100%

Question 40

What will the correct answer for a Justify the Conclusion question do?

Answer 40

Prove it 100%

Question 41

What will the correct answer for an Assumption question do?

Answer 41

Show what must be true for the argument to be true

Question 42

What must correct answers for assumption questions do?

Answer 42

Make a statement that the author relies upon/is fully committed to

Question 43

What is the logical opposite of "all"?

Answer 43

Not all

Question 44

What is the logical opposite of "some"?

Answer 44

None

Question 45

What are three quirks of Assumption questions?

Answer 45

1. Choices that start w/ "at least one" or "at least some" have an unusually high chance of being correct 2. Avoid answers that claim a point was the most important consideration 3. Watch out for "not" or other negatives in the answer choice 4. Avoid answers that describe a cause of the cause or effect of the effect