Logical Reasoning Question Stems

Flaw

• The reasoning in the argument is flawed because…

• Which of the following most accurately describes a flaw in the reasoning?

• The argument is vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it...

Must Be True

• Which of the following can be properly inferred from the passage?

• Which of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?

Required Assumption

• The argument depends on assuming which of the following?

• Which of the following is an assumption on which the argument relies?

Weaken

• Which of the following, if true, would most call into question the argument’s conclusion?

• Which of the following would undermine the author’s reasoning?

Strengthen

• Which of the following would most support the claim made in the argument?

  Which of the following, if true, provides the strongest support for the conclusion?

Parallel

• Which of the following arguments is most similar in its reasoning to the argument above?

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

Resolve the Discrepancy

• Which of the following best explains the surprising result?

• Which of the following, if true, most helps to reconcile the statements above?

Argumentative Strategy

• The argument proceeds by...

• Which one of the following describes the argumentative technique used?

• The argument responds to the opponent by...

Main Conclusion

• The main point the argument seeks to establish is that...

• Which one of the following most accurately states the conclusion drawn in the argument?

Justify the Conclusion

• Which of the following, if assumed, allows the conclusion to be properly drawn?

• The conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?

• Which of the following principles justifies the argument above?

Illustration

• Which of the following best illustrates the principle stated in the argument?

• The reasoning above conforms most closely to which of the following propositions?

• Which of the following situations best exemplifies the principle described above?

Disagree/Agree

• Which of the following is a point at issue between the two speakers?

• On the basis of their statements, X and Y are committed to agreeing/disagreeing that...

Role

• Which of the following best describes the function of the statement?

• In the argument, the statement “___” serves to...

Must Be False

• Which of the following is inconsistent with the statements above?

• Which of the following cannot be true, given the information above?

Argument Evaluation

• Which of the following would help most in assessing whether the conclusion is valid?

Misinterpretation

• Which of the following best describes the misinterpretation in the argument?

• The argument misinterprets the original claim by…