The LSAT Logical Reasoning Questions
LSAT Logical Reasoning Questions
The LSAT Logical Reasoning (LR) sections consist of various question types, with each type assessing different aspects of critical thinking, argument evaluation, and logical analysis. Below are the main types of Logical Reasoning questions you will encounter:
Strengthen Questions
The task here is to identify the answer choice that makes the argument stronger or more logically sound. You might see variations of questions such as, "Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?" or "Which of the following provides the most support for the conclusion?" With these types of questions, the correct answer will fill in missing information between the premise(s) and the conclusion.
Weaken Questions
The task with these types of questions is to choose the answer that undermines the argument's validity. You may encounter variations of the question, "Which of the following, if true, most seriously weakens the argument?" Aside from the word "weakens," you may also see key words and phrases such as "undermine," or "calls into question." With Weaken questions, the correct answer will create or widen an existing gap between the premise(s) and the conclusion to make a potentially valid conclusion less convincing.
Assumption Questions
The task here is to identify a missing but necessary assumption that connects the premises to the conclusion. Questions may be phrased as some variation of, "Which of the following is an assumption required by the argument?" You may also note the key words "assumption" or "to assume." When it comes to Assumption questions, the correct answer will identify and make explicit some piece of information that is missing between the premises and the conclusion.
Flaw Questions
The task with Flaw questions is to detect the logical flaw or error in the reasoning. You may see variations of the question, "Which of the following describes a flaw in the argument's reasoning?" You may come across key words and phrases such as, "most vulnerable to criticism," "flawed," or "reasoning error." The correct answer to these types of questions will identify a truth that is not explicitly or clearly stated, but can be reached solely from the information provided.
Inference Questions
The task here is to identify the best-supported conclusion based on the given information. Questions may be phrased as some variation of, "Which of the following can be properly inferred from the statements above?" You may also encounter key words or phrases such as "most supported by the above statements," "must also be true," "properly inferred from" and "effectively completes the argument." Similar to Flaw questions, the correct answer to Inference questions will identify a truth that is not explicitly stated, but can be deduced solely from the information you have been given in the stimulus.
Must Be True Questions
The task with these types of questions is to choose the answer that must be true given the premises. Questions may be written as some variation of, "If the statements above are true, which of the following must also be true?" The correct answer to Must Be True questions will identify a truth that remains true within the parameters of the information you have been given.
Main Conclusion Questions
The task here is to identify the primary, or main, conclusion of the argument. You may encounter questions such as, "Which of the following best expresses the argument's main conclusion?" or "Which of the following best states the overall conclusion?" The correct answer to this type of question will identify the conclusion of the argument.
Principle/Scenario Questions
The task with Principle/Scenario questions is to select a scenario where the principle stated in the stimulus is applied accurately. You may note key words or phrases such as "principle" or "proposition" in the stimulus. The correct answer to Principle/Scenario questions will describe or identify a scenario where the principle that was stated in the stimulus is applied in a logical and accurate manner.
Scenario/Principle Questions
The task here is to select a principle from the answer choices that justifies the argument made in the scenario presented in the stimulus. You may encounter variations of the question, "Which of the following principles most justifies the argument?" Key words to look out for include "principle" or "proposition," with principles being stated in the answer choices rather than the stimulus. The correct answer to Scenario/Principle questions will identify a principle that justifies the argument or decision made in the stimulus scenario.
Parallel Reasoning Questions
The task with Parallel Reasoning questions is to find the answer choice that contains an argument structure logically identical to that used in the stimulus. You may encounter variations of the question, "Which of the following exhibits reasoning most similar to the argument above?" You may also note key words or phrases such as "pattern of reasoning," "most similar in reasoning to," and "most closely resembles." The correct answer to these types of questions will describe a scenario guided by the same logic as the scenario given as an example in the stimulus.
Paradox (Resolve the Discrepancy) Questions
The task here is to identify the answer that best explains an apparent contradiction, or paradox, in the stimulus. You may come across variations of the question, "Which of the following, if true, helps resolve the apparent discrepancy?" Key words and phrases may include "explain," "resolve," "contradiction," "discrepancy," "helps to account for," or "may account for." The correct answer to Paradox questions will provide a reasonable and plausible explanation of something that otherwise appears to be a contradiction.
Role of a Statement Questions
The task with these types of questions is to determine the specific function of a statement within an argument (e.g., premise, conclusion, background information). You may encounter variations of questions such as, "What role does the highlighted sentence play in the argument?" or "Which of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by…" The correct answer to Role of a Statement questions will not contradict any other information you have been given, while also demonstrating how the statement is valid by identifying the role it plays in the argument.
Method of Reasoning Questions
The task here is to identify how the argument is constructed (e.g., analogy, cause-effect, generalization). You may note variations of the question, "Which of the following best describes the method of reasoning used in the argument?" You may also encounter key words or phrases such as "argument proceeds by," "describes the manner in which," or "describes the argumentative technique of." The correct answer to Method of Reasoning questions will identify or describe a particular strategy or technique used in the stimulus.
The best way to become quick at differentiating between the various types of LR questions is to practice answering LR questions. Expose yourself to as many different types of LR questions as possible through practice tests, and take the time to understand why a certain question falls into a particular category. The more questions you work through, the more you will start to recognize key words or phrases, and the faster you will become at identifying question types. Once you have identified the question type, you can then select the best strategy to employ to answer the question, earning yourself impressively high scores on even the most challenging Logical Reasoning sections.