How to identify and attack assumption, strengthen, and weaken question types in LSAT logical reasoning. Front: the question type or term. Back: a strategy tip or definition.
35 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- Assumption Question
- Identifies an unstated premise the argument depends on to reach its conclusion
- Identifying Assumption Questions
- Look for 'assumes,' 'depends on,' or 'principle' in the stem; ask what the argument takes for granted
- Necessary Assumption
- A premise the argument must rely on; without it, the conclusion does not follow from the evidence
- Sufficient Assumption
- A premise that, if true, would guarantee the conclusion follows from the given premises
- Negation Test
- Negate each answer choice; if negating it breaks the argument's logic, it is a necessary assumption
- When to Use Negation Test
- Use negation test to find necessary assumptions; it identifies what the argument absolutely must have
- Assumption Trap Answer
- An answer that supports the conclusion but is not actually required for the argument
- Why Test Negation
- A necessary assumption's negation destroys the argument; other answers remain plausible when negated
- Strengthen Question
- Chooses an answer that makes the argument more convincing or logically stronger
- Identifying Strengthen Questions
- Look for 'strengthen,' 'best supports,' 'most helps,' or 'most assists' in the stem
- Strengthening with New Information
- Yes, strengthen answers often provide evidence not mentioned in the original argument
- Most Strengthen
- Choose the answer that provides the strongest possible support for the argument
- Strengthen Trap Answer
- Related to the topic but does not actually make the argument more convincing
- Types of Strengthening Evidence
- Statistics, expert opinion, specific examples, analogies, evidence addressing objections
- Strengthening a Premise
- Stronger premises make the conclusion they support more likely to be true