Logical Reasoning II

Question 1

With Main Point Questions, be careful…

Answer 1

Even if an answer choice must be true according to the stimulus, if it fails to capture the main point it cannot be correct.

Question 2

Every MP Questions contains…

Answer 2

an argument. You should identify the conclusion. The correct answer will be rephrasing of the main conclusion.

Question 3

2 Incorrect Answers: Main Point Questions

Answer 3

1. Answers that are true but do not encapsulate the author’s point.
2. Answers the repeat premises of the argument.

Question 4

If an argument contains two conclusions…

Answer 4

you will be forced to identify which one is the main conclusion and which one is the subsidiary conclusion.

Question 5

Any conditional statement consists…

Answer 5

of at least one sufficient condition and at least one necessary condition.

Question 6

Sufficient Condition

Answer 6

an event whose occurrence indicates that a necessary condition must also occur.

Question 7

Necessary Conditon

Answer 7

an event whose occurrence is required in order for a sufficient condition to occur.

Question 8

If someone gets an A on the test, then they must have studied.

Answer 8

S: A
N: must have studied

Question 9

The sufficient condition does not…

Answer 9

make the necessary condition occur. The A does not make studying occur.

Question 10

To introduce a sufficient condition:

Answer 10

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

Question 11

To introduce a necessary condition:

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Use the double arrow when:

Answer 12

1. If and only if
2. Vice versa
3. Repeating and reversing (“If A attends then B attends, and if B attends then A attends”).

Question 13

Weaken Questions

Answer 13

1. Stimulus will almost always contain an argument.
2. Focus on the conclusion.
3. Information in stimulus is suspect.
4. Yield strong prephrases.
5. Answer choices accepted as given, even if they include “new” information.

Question 14

The key to weakening an argument…

Answer 14

is to attack the conclusion.

“Would this answer choice make the author reconsider his/her position or force the author to respond?” If so, you have the correct answer.

Question 15

Personalizing

Answer 15

Most students perform considerably better when they see the argument from their perspective.

Would you use answer A or B to respond?