Question stems for principle, method of reasoning, role of a statement, and main point, with strategies.
35 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.
- What does a principle question stem typically ask?
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Which principle, if valid, would justify or support the reasoning in the passage?- Distinguish stimulus-based principle from rule-based principle questions.
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Stimulus-based asks what principle the author relies on; rule-based asks which principle's logic most resembles the argument's logic.- In principle questions, what must you test each answer against?
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The specific facts and reasoning in the stimulus; the correct principle must justify this particular argument without being too narrow or too broad.- What is a common trap in principle questions?
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Choosing an answer that matches the topic or conclusion but does not actually justify the specific reasoning given.- What does 'if accepted' or 'if valid' mean in a principle question stem?
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Treat the principle as a true general rule and use it as a new premise to evaluate the argument's logical strength.- How should you approach a rule-based principle question with the stem 'The reasoning above is most similar to...'?
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Identify the logical structure of the original argument, then find the answer with the same logical structure, ignoring content differences.- What is a 'too broad' principle answer in a principle question?
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An answer that is true as a general rule but does not specifically apply to or justify the particular facts and reasoning in the passage.- What is a 'too narrow' principle answer in a principle question?
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An answer that applies only to the specific facts in the passage but is not stated as a general principle that would apply broadly.- What does a method of reasoning question stem typically ask?
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How the author supports or justifies the conclusion; what logical technique or pattern the argument uses to reach its conclusion.- What is the first step in answering any method of reasoning question?
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Identify the author's conclusion and distinguish it clearly from the premises that support it.- How should you describe the method of reasoning in answer choices?
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In abstract, logical terms (such as uses an analogy, cites expert authority, identifies a contradiction, applies a counterexample) rather than repeating the argument's specific content.- What is a common trap in method of reasoning questions?
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Choosing an answer that accurately summarizes the argument's content but misdescribes the logical technique used to support the conclusion.- When a method question asks how the author 'argues for' a conclusion, what should you identify?
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The logical pattern or technique (such as analogy, authority, counterexample, or cause-and-effect reasoning), not the topic or subject matter.- How is a method of reasoning question different from a main point question?
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Method asks how the conclusion is supported; main point asks what the conclusion is.- In method of reasoning questions, how do you evaluate whether an answer choice is correct?
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Ask whether the logical structure described in the answer accurately matches the structure of the original argument, setting aside content.
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