Logical Reasoning Question Types

Flashcards to help memorize the 13 question types in the Logical Reasoning sections of the LSAT.

Must Be True

Asks you to identify the answer choice that is best proven by the information in the stimulus

Main Point

Asks you to find the primary conclusion made by the author

Point at Issue/Agreement

Asks you to identify a point of contention or agreement between two speakers

Assumption

Ask you to identify an assumption of the author’s argument

Justify the Conclusion

Asks you to supply a piece of information that, when added to the premises, proves the conclusion

Strengthen

Asks you to select the answer choice that provides support for the author’s argument or strengthens it in some way

Resolve the Paradox

• Every stimulus contains a discrepancy or seeming contradiction

• Asks you to find the answer choice that best resolves the situation

Weaken

Ask you to attack or undermine the author’s argument

Method of Reasoning

Asks you to describe, in abstract terms, the way in which the author made their argument

Flaws in the Reasoning

Asks you to describe, in abstract terms, the error of reasoning made by the author

Parallel Reasoning/Flaw

Asks you to identify the answer choice that contains reasoning most similar in structure to the reasoning presented in the stimulus

Evaluate the Argument

Asks you which answer choice will allow you to determine the logical validity of the argument

Cannot Be True

Asks you to identify the answer choice that cannot be true or is most weakened based on the information in the stimulus

Except or Least Questions

• Asks you to do the opposite of the normal question structure

• Ex: All of these strengthen the argument EXCEPT

First Family: Prove

• Must Be True, Main Point, Point at Issue/Agreement, Method of Reasoning, Flaw in the Reasoning, Parallel Reasoning/Flaw

• Accept the stimulus information as given; answer choices are under suspicion

• Any information in an answer choice that doesn’t appear in the stimulus, as a combination of items in the stimulus, or under the umbrella of a concept in the stimulus will be incorrect

Second Family: Help

• Assumption, Justify the Conclusion, Strengthen, Resolve the Paradox

• Accept the answer choices as given; stimulus is under suspicion

• Choosing the answer choice that “helps” the stimulus as the question asks

Third Family: Hurt

• Weaken

• Accept the answer choices as given; stimulus is under suspicion

• Choosing the answer choice that “hurts” the stimulus as the question asks

Fourth Family: Disprove

• Cannot Be True

• Accept the stimulus information as given; answer choices are under suspicion

• The correct answer choice will directly disagree with the stimulus or a consequence of the stimulus

When a stimulus without a conclusion is presented, only three types of questions can be posed:

Must Be True, Cannot Be True, or Resolve the Paradox

“Which of the following, if true” or similar wording

Question stem must be from either the second or third question family

“If the statements above are true” or similar wording

Question stem must be from either the first or fourth question family