Logical Reasoning Ch 11

What are the question stem keywords for Principle Conform questions?

Principle/Propositions, Most closely conforms, Situation/example.

What are you looking for in a Principle Conform question?

Matching example or matching principle.

What is the role of the Inference or Loophole in Principle Conform questions?

Principle Stimulus: Your Inference puts the principle into action, like the correct answer. Example Stimulus: Your Loophole blows up the gap in the example’s reasoning; the principle in the correct answer bridges the gap.

What is a Principle in Principle Conform questions?

A general rule.

What is the strategy for Principle Conform questions?

Prepare an Inference or Loophole. For Principle Stimulus, memorize the principle and activate it with an example for your CLIR Inference. For Example Stimulus, create a principle bridging the Loophole’s gap. Choose the matching principle or example from the answer choices.

What is the Back-Up Plan for Principle Conform questions?

Principle Stimulus: Does this embody the principle? Example Stimulus: Does this underlie the example?

What is the game plan for Principle Conform questions?

Match principles to examples. For Principle Stimulus, pick an example following the rule. For Example Stimulus, choose a principle supporting the situation. Ensure the match is interchangeable, like a conditional statement (e.g., flake → worst).

What is a common mistake in Principle Conform questions?

Assuming a question is Principle Conform just because “principle” is in the stem. Follow Strengthen or SA advice if principles are in answer choices. Avoid skimming the question stem.

How do Principle Stimulus and Example Stimulus differ in Principle Conform questions?

Principle Stimulus: General rule in stimulus, example in answer choices. Example Stimulus: Specific situation in stimulus, principle in answer choices.

How should you think of principles in Principle Conform questions?

Think of principles as conditional statements (e.g., flake → worst). They can prove the necessary condition or its contrapositive, but not the opposite.

What should you beware of in Principle Conform answer choices?

Avoid answer choices that prove the opposite of what you have evidence for.

How are Principle and Example stimuli typically phrased?

Principle stimuli are phrased as Premise Sets. Example stimuli are phrased as Arguments.

What are the question stem keywords for Parallel Reasoning questions?

Parallel, Most similar, Pattern of reasoning, Analogy.

What are you looking for in a Parallel Reasoning question?

The answer that’s built around the same Skeleton as the stimulus.

What is the role of the Loophole in Parallel Reasoning questions?

Your Loophole forces you to analyze how the argument is operating, providing information to create a Skeleton.

What is the strategy for Parallel Reasoning questions?

Use your Loophole to understand the argument. Abstract a Skeleton by removing specific nouns and verbs (e.g., “Thing 1 is a consequence of thing 2”). Overlay the Skeleton on each answer choice and choose the one that fits.

What is the Back-Up Plan for Parallel Reasoning questions?

Does this match the stimulus?

What is the game plan for Parallel Reasoning questions?

Translate and CLIR the stimulus, create a Skeleton using general terms (e.g., “Thing 1 causes Thing 2”), compare to answer choices, and pick the one matching the logical structure, avoiding same flashy words.

What is a Skeleton in Parallel Reasoning questions?

A stripped-down version of the stimulus’s logical structure, using general placeholders (e.g., thing, group, cause) instead of specific nouns and verbs.

What are flashy words and boring connectors in Parallel Reasoning?

Flashy words: Specific nouns/verbs (e.g., Sammy, hamstring). Boring connectors: Linking words (e.g., of, could, that) kept in the Skeleton.

What is a tip for creating a Skeleton in Parallel Reasoning?

Don’t stress about the perfect Skeleton; it should be general enough to apply to answer choices and get the job done.

How do you identify Wordy Parallel questions?

If the stimulus is hard to understand on the first read due to repeated phrases in different combinations, it’s a Wordy Parallel question.

What is the strategy for Wordy Parallel questions?

Use “Running the Numbers”: Assign numbers to each new idea (e.g., 1 for first term, 2 for second), repeat for recurring ideas, diagram conditionals or write connections, and match the number pattern in answer choices.

What is the “Running the Numbers” process for Wordy Parallel questions?

Start with 1 for the first idea, assign new numbers to new ideas, repeat for recurring ideas, note negations by crossing off, diagram conditionals or write connections, and match the pattern in answer choices.

What is a tip for numbering in Wordy Parallel questions?

Number answer choices in the same argument part order as the stimulus, stop if the pattern differs, and skip non-matching choices like “some/most” if the stimulus uses “if/then.”

Why prefer numbers over letters in Wordy Parallel questions?

Numbers avoid confusion with stimulus terms (e.g., “D” for dalmatians), ensuring clarity when labeling ideas.

What should you beware of in Parallel Reasoning answer choices?

Answer choices using the same flashy words as the stimulus are almost always wrong.

What are the question stem keywords for Parallel Flaw questions?

Parallel, Pattern of reasoning, Flawed/dubious/questionable/faulty, Analogy.

What are you looking for in a Parallel Flaw question?

The answer choice that exhibits the same flaw as the stimulus.

What is the role of the Loophole in Parallel Flaw questions?

Your Loophole identifies the flaw to match. Choose the answer with the same Loophole as the stimulus.

What is the strategy for Parallel Flaw questions?

Use your Loophole to reveal the flaw and find an answer choice exhibiting the same flaw.

What is the Back-Up Plan for Parallel Flaw questions?

Does this match the flaw in the stimulus?

What is the game plan for Parallel Flaw questions?

Identify the Loophole’s flaw in the stimulus, find an answer with the same flaw, using Parallel Reasoning techniques if multiple answers seem to match, but avoid overly strict application. Avoid valid reasoning answers.

How do Parallel Flaw questions differ from Parallel Reasoning questions?

Parallel Flaw focuses on matching the same flaw, allowing more structural flexibility than Parallel Reasoning, which requires an exact logical structure match.

What is a general tip for Principle and Parallel questions?

Memorize question stem keywords and never skip translating them to avoid mistakes.