Logical Reasoning - Identifying Question Types + Review

Conclusion

“Which most accurately expresses the conclusion”, “The conclusion drawn is…”

Conclusion question strategy

Read the passage while searching for the author's MAIN POINT

Implication/Inference/Entailment

IF THE ABOVE STATEMENT(S) ARE TRUE… “Which can be properly inferred”, “Which must also be true?”, “Which follows logically?”, “If the above is true, which can’t be true?”

Implication/Inference/Entailment strategy

1. Read question CAREFULLY

2. DIAGRAM

3. Read answer choices CAREFULLY

4. Predict

Most Strongly Supported

IF THE ABOVE STATEMENT(S) ARE TRUE… “Which can most reasonably be concluded?”,”The statements, most strongly support which?”, “Which is most ______ ______?”

Difference between Entailment and Most Strongly Supported?

One is right for sure vs. One is the most right.

Dispute

“These two agree/disagree over whether…?”

Dispute (Agree/Disagree) strategy

1. Read Q CAREFULLY (agree/disagree vs. most support for agree/disagree)

2. Find RELATED STATEMENTS

3. Understand what each person agrees/disagrees with (predict)

4. Read answer choices CAREFULLY

5. TRUST YOUR CHART (If answer choices don’t add up, you missed something)

Technique/Method

“The argument proceeds by?”, “Method of reasoning used in the argument?”, “Reasoning does which of the following?”, “Responds to the argument by doing what?”

Technique/Method strategy

1. Find the CONCLUSION

2. Identify the EVIDENCE

   1. USE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT CONCLUSION, not other way around

3. Diagram + PREDICT

4. Read answers CAREFULLY

Role (So Fast + So Easy)

“The claim plays which role?”, “Most accurately describes the role?”

Difference between Technique and Role questions?

One is asking HOW the arguer is making an argument, the other is asking what the PURPOSE of a specific claim is. (how vs. why)

Role strategy (BBQ Chicken)

1. Find the CONCLUSION (Makes solving these questions FAST and EASY) 

2. Determine what the claim DOES (Conclusion, Support, Oppose, Neutral)

3. Read answers CAREFULLY

Principle (Identify) - More common

• “Generalizations is illustrated?”, “Justify reasoning?”, “Illustrates which of the following?”

Principle (identify) strategy

1. Find the CONCLUSION

2. Read answers CAREFULLY

Principle (Conforms)

1. “Most closely conforms to the principle?”, “Which best illustrates the principle?”

Principle (Conforms) Strategy

1. Find CONCLUSION

2. PREDICT

3. Read answers CAREFULLY

Definition of “principle?”

 A general rule, definition, or value that can apply to many different specific scenarios. For example, “Sometimes, unforeseen challenges can make you stronger.” Laws are a type of this.

Parallel

1. The pattern of reasoning in which of the following arguments is most similar to that in the argument above?

2. Which one of the following arguments is most similar in its reasoning to the argument above?

3. The principle underlying the argument above is most similar to the principle underlying which one of the following arguments?

4. Which one of the following most closely conforms to the principle illustrated by the argument above?

Parallel Strategy (BBQ Chicken)

1. Find the CONCLUSION 

2. Find the EVIDENCE + DIAGRAM

3. Read answer choices CAREFULLY + PREDICT

Flaw (most common)

1. “The argument commits which error of reasoning?”,

2. “Reasoning is questionable because it fails to rule out…”,

3. “Most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it…”

4. “TAKES FOR GRANTED”

5. “Which is most similar in its flawed reasoning?”,

Flaw strategy (worst one)

1. Find the CONCLUSION

2. Find the EVIDENCE → Does conclusion follow from evidence? FIND GAP

3. Predict the MISSING PIECE + PREDICT

You really have to understand the passage. Understand the correlation between the conclusion and the evidence, and literally FIND the ____

“Takes for Granted” means…?

Assumes (necessary)

Necessary Assumption (common)

1.  “The argument relies on assuming which?”

2. “The argument depends on the assumption that…?”

3. “Which is an assumption required by the argument?”

Necessary Assumption strategy (Lowkey free if you find the missing link)

1. Find THE CONCLUSION

2. Find the EVIDENCE that supports

3. Find the MISSING LINK (gap)

   1. You REALLY have to know the passage for this one. Trust your chart and predict wisely.

4. PREDICT BEFORE EVEN READING ANSWERS

Sufficient Assumption (Mostly if-then logic)

1. “Which of the following enables the conclusion to be drawn?”

2. “The conclusion above is properly drawn IF which of the following is assumed?”

3. “From which does the conclusion logically follow?”

Sufficient Assumption strategy (Must predict)

1. Find CONCLUSION

2. Find EVIDENCE

3. Find the GAP and PREDICT

Difference between Necessary and Sufficient Assumptions?

1. One must be present in order for a particular outcome to occur, impossible to happen without. Only guarantees the possibility of desired outcome, many may exist.

2. The other guarantees, by its presence alone, the desired outcome, regardless of any other factors. Guarantees the achievement of desired outcome, only one needed.

Strengthen Argument

1. “Which most supports the argument?”

2. “Which most strengthens the argument?”

3. “Which would most justify the argument?”

Don’t confuse Strengthens vs. Most strongly supported

Strengthen strategy

1. Conclusion

2. Evidence

3. Find WHY THE CONCLUSION IS NOT TRUE

this is huge.

+predict

Weaken Argument

1. “Which most seriously weakens the argument?”

2. “Which casts the most doubt the argument?”

3. “Which would most undermine the argument?”

Weaken strategy (BBQ chicken)

1. Find the CONCLUSION

2. Identify the Evidence (ASSUME IS TRUE)

3. Find if Conclusion HAS TO BE TRUE based on EVIDENCE (if evidence was true)

4. Predict

Helpful 2 Know (Rare)

1. Which would be most/least useful to know in evaluating the argument

Helpful to Know (evaluate) strategy

1. Conclusion

2. Evidence

3. Ask WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW to CONNECT CONCLUSION TO EVIDENCE

Explain/Resolve

1. Which most helps to explain how that happened?”,

2. “Which most helps to resolve the discrepancy?

Explain/Resolve strategy

1. Find UNEXPECTED RESULT

2. Think about what could be the SOLUTION

3. PREDICT + READ CAREFULLY