LSAT Vocabulary Flashcards
First Family
Question types that use the stimulus to prove that one of the answer choices must be true. No info outside the sphere is allowed in the correct answer.
- must be true/most strongly supported
- main point
- point at issue/point of agreement
- method of reasoning
- flaw in the reasoning
- parallel reasoning
Third Family
Question types that take the answer choices as true and uses them to hurt the stimulus. Info outside the sphere is allowed in the correct answer choice.
* weaken
Second Family
Questions that take the answer choices to be true and uses them to help the stimulus. Info outside the sphere is allowed in the correct answer choice.
- assumption
- justify the conclusion
- strengthen/support
- resolve the paradox
Inference
Something that must be true. If asked to identify the inference of an argument, you must find an item that must be true BASED on the information presented in the argument.
Fourth Family
Question types that use the stimulus to prove that one of the answer choices cannot occur. No info outside the sphere is allowed in the correct answer choice.
* cannot be true
Least
Treat it exactly as “except “, ONLY when it appears in the question stem.
Except
Turns the question stem upside down. It negates the question.
Four of the answers will meet the stated criteria, ONE will not (that one will be the correct answer).
Assumption
An unstated premise of the argument. Left unsaid by the author.
Premise Indicators
- because
- since
- for
- for example
- for the reason that
- in that
- as indicated by
- due to
- owing to
- this can be seen from
- we know this by
- thereafter
Premise
A fact, proposition, or statement from which a conclusion is made.
Additional Premise
May be central to the argument or may be secondary.
Additional Premise Indicators
- furthermore
- moreover
- besides
- in addition
- what’s more
- after all
How can you tell if an argument is WEAK or STRONG ?
1) suppose all premises are true
2) would the conclusion then be likely to be true?
3) if YES = Strong Argument
if NO = Weak Argument
What does an argument require?
A conclusion.
INCORRECT answers for Must Be True and Most Strongly Supported questions
1) COULD be true or POSSIBLY true
2) exaggerated answers
3) “new” information in answer choice
4) She’ll: similar idea changed slightly
5) opposite answer
6) reverse answer: takes two words and switches them
Cannot Be True Question
Family #4- identify the answer choice that cannot be true or is most weakened based on the stimulus.