LSAT Types of Questions

Goal of Role Questions

Goal: pick answer that accurately describes what a particular statement in the stimulus is doing

Must know the Main Point and precise functions of other statements

Solving Role Questions

1. Identify the Main Idea nad Principles

2. Locate the claim and describe what it’s doing

3. Anticipate correct answers

Right and Wrong Answers for Role Questions

Correct Answers: accurate description of role played by claim the prompt is asking about

Wrong Answers: Identify statement as some point of argument that it is not OR mischaracterizes argument

Goal of Must Be True Questions

Asks what Must be True on basis of statements, and it will supply calid conclusions

(From the Implication Family)

Correct and Incorrect Answers for Must Be True

Correct Answers: Completely inarguable valid conclusions based on information provided in stimulus

Incorrect Answers: Could be false conclusions (Do not speculate and be on the lookout for converse and inverse fallacies)

Goal of Principle Questions

Step back and look at the bigger picture, to identify the principle in the argument

1. Identify the Principle

2. Apply the Principle

How to Solve Principle Questions

1. Read the stimulus

2. Summarize a general idea

3. Come up with a general motto

Strategies for Principle Questions

1. If diagrammable, DIAGRAM it

2. If not diagrammable, summarize or make mottos

3. Be on the lookout for negated prompts

Goals of Soft Must Be True Questions

From the Implication family

Soft Must Be True (~MBT) can be 99% true, but not necessarily logically valid.

Correct and Incorrect Answers for ~MBT

Correct Answers: Answers that have a significant amount of support

Incorrect Answers: Answers that are not supported

Considerations in ~MBT

1. Logical Force

2. Strong premises likely to support conclusion

3. Weak answers easier to support than stronger?

Solving ~MBT Questions

1. If diagrammable, DIAGRAM it

2. If NOT diagrammable, Summarize

   1. Pay attention to logically stronger statements

Correct answers often relate to stronger statements

Goal for Must Be False Questions

Find answer choice that CANNOT be true based on stimulus

Correct and Incorrect Answers for Must Be False

Correct Answers: Contradicts stimulus

Wrong Answers: Ha sa chance of being true, including converse and inverse fallacies

How to Answer Must Be False

1. If conditional language is present, then diagram

2. Look for answer choices that contradict

1. If no conditional language is present, then look for strong statements

2. Look at logical force