Logic Flash Cards

squib

the fact pattern, the argument passage

conclusion

the author’s main point

an opinion, not a fact

premises

the facts the author uses to support the conclusion

assumptions

unstated, additional facts necessary to reach the conclusion

7 types of logical reasoning questions

conclusion

“resolve”

“strengthen”

“weaken”

reasoning strategy

analogous reasoning

controversy

Keywords to help identify a conclusion

conclusion, concludes, concluded

main point

deduced, deduction

inference, inferred

must be true

what is this an example of:

“the argument leads to the conclusion that…”

example of identifying a conclusion

what is this an example of:

“which one of the following most accurately states the main point of Noah’s argument”

example of identifying a conclusion

what is this an example of:

“if the statements above are true, it must also be true that”

example of identifying a conclusion

keywords to help identify a “resolve” question

resolve

explain, explanation

reconcile

what is this an example of:

“which one of the following best explains the apparent discrepancy in the results of the study?”

example of identifying a resolve question

what is this an example of:

“each of the following could be a possible solution to the paradox above EXCEPT”

example of identifying a resolve question 

Resolve questions frequently ask about

discrepancy

paradox

phenomenon

contradiction

keywords to identify a “strengthen” question

strengthen, support, justify

assumption, presupposes

principle

what is this an example of:

“which one of the following most strongly supports the doctors claim”?

example of identifying a “strengthen” question 

what is this an example of:

“the argument depends on which of the following assumptions?”

example of identifying a “strengthen” question 

what is this an example of:

“which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the speaker’s reasoning?”

example of identifying a “strengthen” question

keywords to identify a “weaken” question

weaken

cast doubt on, call into question

challenge, undermine, counter

criticism

what is this an example of:

“each of the following, if true, would weaken the economist’s argument EXCEPT”

example of identifying a “weaken” question 

what is this an example of:

“which one of the following, if true, most calls into question the claim above”

example of identifying a “weaken” question 

keywords to identify a reasoning strategy question

flaw, error

role, function

reasoning, strategy, method

by, proceeds by

what is this an example of:

“Kim attempts to counter Isabell’s conclusion by”

example of identifying a reasoning strategy question 

what is this an example of:

“the reasoning in the argument is flawed because the argument”

example of identifying a reasoning strategy question 

what is this an example of:

“which one of the following most precisely describes the role played in the argument by the claim that”

example of identifying a reasoning strategy question 

keywords to identify an analogous reasoning question

parallel

similar

resembles

what is this an example of:

“the pattern of reasoning in the argument above is most similar to that in which one of the following”

example of an analogous reasoning question

what is this an example of:

“the flawed pattern of reasoning in which one of the following most closely parallels that of the professor’s argument?”

example of an analogous reasoning question

keywords to identify a controversy question:

point at issue

disagree

responds, response

what is this an example of:

“the point at issue between Wendy and Katie can best be expressed as”

example of a controversy question

what is this an example of:

“the dialogue provides the most support for the claim that Randy and Cassie are committed to disagreeing about wether”

example of a controversy question

For the following question, identify the question type

The dialogue most strongly supports the claim that Jim and Laura disagree with each other about wether

this is a CONTROVERSY QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type

Which one of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the argument above?

this is a WEAKEN QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type

In order for the conclusion of the director’s argument to be properly inferred, which of the following must be assumed?

this is a STRENGTHEN QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type

Which one of the following most closely parallels the questionable reasoning cited above

this is an ANALOGOUS REASONING QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type 

Which one of the following, if assumed, enables the president’s conclusion to be properly drawn?

this is a STRENGTHEN QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type 

Which one of the following most logically completes the argument?

this is a CONCLUSION question

For the following question, identify the question type 

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the statements above?

this is a RESOLVE question

For the following question, identify the question type 

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument above?

this is a STRENGTHEN question

For the following question, identify the question type 

The reasoning in the argument is flawed because the argument

this is a REASONING strategy

For the following question, identify the question type 

The statements above, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?

this is a CONCLUSION QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type 

Of the following propositions, which one is best illustrated by the web designer’s statements?

this is a STRENGTHEN QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type 

Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the reviewer’s argument by the claim that the restaurants decor lacked sophistication?

this is a REASONING QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type 

Each of the following is a point on which Kathy and Britt disagree except

this is a CONTROVERSY QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type 

The reasoning above most closely conforms to which one of the following principles?

this is a STRENGTHEN question

For the following question, identify the question type 

Aaron’s response to Kai is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it

this is a REASONING STRATEGY QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type 

Which one of the following, if true, most helps to reconcile the conflicting results of the research study?

this is a RESOLVE QUESTION

For the following question, identify the question type 

Which one of the following has a logical structure most similar to that of the dairy farmer’s argument?

this is an ANALOGOUS REASONING QUESTION

Three steps in solving conclusion questions

1- determine whether the question is asking you for the conclusion of the squib or asking you for an inference

2- if the question asks for the main conclusion, the correct answer will be a paraphrase of the conclusion

3- if the question asks you to infer or draw a conclusion, choose an answer that you can prove using the information in the squib

Three steps in solving resolve questions

1- identify the two conflicting pieces of information in the squib

2- read each answer to determine wether it explains how both pieces of information can be true. watch out for answers that explain only one side

3- choose the answer that presents the best, most logical, and most complete explanation

three steps in solving strengthen questions

1- identify the main conclusion of the squib

2- identify the log flaw(s) in the argument

3- choose the answer that most strengthens the conclusion by addressing the logic flaw(s)

three steps in solving weaken questions

1- identify the main conclusion of the squib

2- identify the logic flaw(s) in the argument

3- choose the answer that most weakens the conclusion

THE ANSWER DOESN’T NEED TO INVALIDATE THE CONCLUSION- JUST CALL IT INTO QUESTION. (if more than one choice weakens the conclusion, choose the one that weakens it the most).

three steps in solving reasoning strategy questions

1- determine wether the argument is correct or flawed

IF IT IS A FLAWED ARGUMENT

2- identify the logic flaw (be careful- as sometimes the question will ask only about part of the argument)

3- choose the answer that best expresses the flaw

three steps in solving analogous reasoning questions

1- identify the main conclusion and logic flaw(s) in the squib

2- diagram the pattern of reasoning used in the squib

3- choose the answer that most closely parallels the structure or flaw of the squib.

If there is no exact match, choose the answer that matches most closely. Make sure that it has the same type of flaw

three steps in solving controversy questions

1- identify the main conclusion, premises, and logic flaw(s), if any, of the first speaker

2- identify the main conclusion, premiss, and logic flaw(s), if any, of the second speaker

3- choose the answer that identifies the central issue that the speakers agree of disagree about, depending on what the question asks

three steps in solving reasoning strategy questions

1- determine whether the argument is correct or flawed

\*\*IF it is a flawed argument

2- identify the logic flaw (be careful-sometimes the question will ask only about part of the argument

3- choose the answer that best expresses the flaw

three steps in solving analogous reasoning questions

1- identify the main conclusion and logic flaw(s) in the squib

2- diagram the pattern of reasoning used in the squib

3- choose the answer that most closely parallels the structure or flaw of the squib. IF there I son exact match, choose the answer that matches most closely.

three steps in solving controversy questions

1- identify the main conclusion, premises, and logic flaw(s), if any, of the first speaker

2- identify the main conclusion, premises & logic flaw(s), if any, of the second speaker

3- choose the answer that identifies the central issue that the speakers agree or disagree about, depending on what the question asks

three most common flaws

1) correlation vs. causation

2) analogy

3) statistical

a correlation vs. causation flaw assumes

since two events occurred, the first must have caused the second

what flaw assumes no other cause for the second event and denies the possibility of coincidence

correlation vs. causation

what is this an example of

Victor ate cheese on his sandwich at lunch and became ill.

Victor must be allergic to cheese

correlation vs. causation

an analogy flaw is

a faulty comparison of things that may or may not actually be similar

what flaw assumes total similiarity, usually without enough evidence

analogy flaw

What is this an example of

last year, our local Boy Scout troop’s fund-raiser raised enough $ for the troop to travel to Yellowstone. This year, they should be able to raise enough money for a trip to Glacier National Park

analogy flaw

a personal flaw…

draws a faulty conclusion about the verity and reliability of a person based on his or her personal characteristics.

assumptions are based not on logic, but on the authority or character of the person

personal flaw

two versions os a personal flaw

1- assuming that someone is right due to his or her character and experience

2- assuming that someone is wrong due to his or her character and experience

what is this an example of

the miss Universe pageant finalist would be the best spokesperson for your product, since she wear makeup everyday

personal flaw

what is this an example of

we cannot allow Mr. Bebout to chair the fund-raiser.

Twenty years ago, he went bankrupt

personal flaw

an evidentiary flaw…

misinterprets premise information

varieties of an evidentiary flaw

1- assuming that the absence of any evidence for something proves that it does not exist

2- a lack of differentiation between the premise and conclusion (circular reasoning)

3- a misinterpretation of/ or shift in the meaning of a term

example of what flaw in which language is confused

“a recent study showed that four out of 5 children prefer fruits to vegetables. Since people should eat five servings and vegetables a day, parents should give their children 4 servings of fruits and 1 serving of vegetables”

evidentiary flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

correlation vs. causation 

analogy flaw 

evidentiary

statistical

personal

“The director of the Creighton Playhouse recently reviewed box office receipts for the past year and discovered that the highest-grossing performances were those in which Elena Matthews was cast. She now plans to cast Ms. Matthews in every show next year”

correlation vs. causation

analogy flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s) 

correlation vs. causation 

analogy flaw 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical

“Dr. Lotze’s recent article on the origins of the writing system Linear A has reopened debate on the subject. If his conclusions are correct, there is insufficient evidence for concluding that the writing originated on Crete. SO, despite the claims of many archeologists that the writing originated on Crete, it must be true that it actually originated elsewhere”

evidentiary flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s) 

correlation vs. causation 

analogy flaw 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical

“Our company has a stated policy that an employee will be fired for missing more than three unapproved days of work or for being late to work more than five times. Sadie was recently fires, but she had never been late to work. Therefore, she must have missed more than three unapproved days.

correlation vs. causation flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s) 

correlation vs. causation 

analogy flaw 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical

“most people who become diabetic as adults were prone to eating sweets as children. Therefore, it stands to reason that a child who eats sweets is likely to develop diabetes as an adult.

analogy flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s) 

correlation vs. causation 

analogy flaw 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical

“mrs. Guerrero recently wrote a letter to the editor in which she complained of several spelling and grammar errors in the paper, but her judgment on such matters can hardly be trusted, since she received low grades in her high school English classes.”

personal flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

correlation vs. causation 

analogy flaw 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical

“There are only 10 people in the widget assembly department. Over the past month, productivity in the department has increased by 15%. Each of the employees must have increased his or her productivity in order to achieve this impressive result.

analogy flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

correlation vs. causation 

analogy flaw 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical

“the nation of Duristan implemented transportation safety legislation in 1990. Since that time, there have been fewer transportation-related deaths in the nation. It is clear that the 1990 legislation has increased transportation safety.

correlation vs. causation flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

correlation vs. causation 

analogy

evidentiary 

personal

statistical

“Webster High School is proud of its reputation for providing students with a good education. In a recent survey of alumni, 90% of former students reported that they had received a good education at Webster. This proves that Webster does provide students with a good education.”

statistical

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

analogy 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical 

“The most popular film star in the country recently made a plea for all registered voters to approve Proposition 27. It must be in the best interests of the people to approve this proposition.

personal flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

analogy 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical 

“My neighbor, Mrs. Bell, told me that she retired from her job at the phone company last year. My other neighbor, Mr. Week, told me that Mrs. Bell has been working at the local market every morning for the last three months. Clearly, Mrs. Bell has not retired.

evidentiary flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

analogy 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical 

“dirk missed the bus on Monday and was late to work. Since he was late again on Tuesday, he must have missed the bus again”

correlation vs. causation flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

analogy 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical 

“university professor claim that they undertake research in order to be better scholars and continue learning, but in truth, they are doing it primarily to further their own careers and secure tenure. Therefore, the activities of the academic elite are directed largely toward enhancing the prestige of their community and only tangentially toward increasing knowledge”

analogy flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

analogy 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical 

“Everyone who ate chick and rice on Thursday at Maison d’être became ill the next day. It is clear that the chicken was not cooked properly and that people who ate it got food poisoning.”

correlation vs. causation flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

analogy 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical 

“The idea that people think the United Nations is obsolete is unfounded. In a recent survey of the representatives of the member nations, nearly 100% felt that the United Nations plays a vital role in today’s world

statistical flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

analogy 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical 

“The claim that illegal drug dealing is a major problem in Bellville is false, because this claim is based on the large number of reports of illegal drug dealing on the local news. The local news always reports incidents of illegal drug dealing, because those incidents are so rare.”

evidentiary flaw

for the following squib, identify the main flaw(s)

analogy 

evidentiary 

personal

statistical 

“a recent poll found that 45% of those surveyed believe that a pro football player should be suspended if he is convicted of a misdemeanor crime. The same survey found that 65% of those surveyed believe that a pro football player should be suspended if he is indicted for a felony. These results show that more people believe in suspending pro football players for indictment for felonies than for conviction of misdemeanors”

statistical flaw

analogy flaw

sufficient factors

those that are sufficient alone to produce a particular result

necessary factors

those that are necessary to produce a particular result.

most common quantity terms

all every, each

most

many, some

few

a few

none

never

all, every, each

every single one, every member of the group

most

more than half

many, some

at least one, could be all

few

less than half, could be none

a few

more than one

none

not a single one

never

not ever

If the first statement below is true, must the second statement also be true?

People who are allergic to milk never eat chocolate.

People who never each chocolate are allergic to milk.

no

Are the two statements below compatible? Can both be true?

Few cats become friends with mice.

No cats become friends with mice.

yes