LSAT Short Arguments - How to ID + Process for Inference Questions in ARGUMENTS (not Reading Inference Qs)

Question 1

What are four things to check for in an Inference Argument, after reading it and before moving to Answer Choices?

Answer 1

Strong-Weak language?

Thought vs Reality language?

Causal langauge?

Qualifier language?

Notice these things (SW, TR, C, Q, along with if-then) in the ARGUMENT and take and look for AC with similar (or weaker) elements that match. Beware AC with WRONG qualifiers, or missing qualifiers. It is a CAREFUL, MATCHING process.

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**Label + make a “cut” between different topics/points in time**

**Label + make a “cut” between different POVs**

**Label strong/weak language**

**Label pronouns**

note that correct AC for inference arguments will not bring up New Stuff

note that when you see percentage words, try to highlight nearby qualifiers

Question 2

What are the 3 types of Short Argument - Inference Questions?

Answer 2

Inference

Point at Issue

Guided Inference

Question 3

“inference…”

“of the following would also have to be true…”

“of the following is most strongly supported by the arg above…”

“argument supports AC…”

“AC supported by argument…”

“AC must be true/false…”

“passage supports/suggests”

“a conclusion…”

“follows logically…”

“AC is properly drawn from the argument…”

Answer 3

Inference Inference

infers FROM passage, rather than completing a link between things in the passage

note WEAK LANGUAGE is PREFERRED

1. Read the Question ID whether one of 4 types:

must be true (most common inference Q type): inferred from argument, inference supported by argument, passage supports, suggests, indicates, follows logically, properly drawn

could be true: consistent, compatible, could be true. Remember that consistent and compatible simply mean something could exist

must be false: inconsistent (i.e. cannot exist, contradictory), incompatible, must be false, cannot be true

could be false: could be false

2. Argument Analysis:

read argument, label S/W language, label POVs and cut POVs, label thought vs reality, pronouns *do not ID conclusion or evidence*

3. Go to ACs –

note WEAK language in AC makes that AC more likely. We want STRONG in the argument to validate WEAK in correct AC

If MBT question - eliminate CBF ACs

If CBT question - eliminate MBF ACs

if MBF question - eliminate CBT ACs

if CBF question - eliminate MBT ACs

Question 4

“point at issue…”

“disagree…”

“agree…”

like disagreement between two speakers, rarely agreement

Answer 4

Inference - PAI questions

1. Read the Question ID in question stem something
2. Argument Analysis:

read ONLY FIRST SPEAKER’s argument,

label S/W language, label POVs and cut POVs

label thought vs reality, pronouns

3. Go to ACs! Label whether First Speaker would Agree, Disagree, or neutral for each AC.

Eliminate neutrals! Note that USUALLY you will have 2 or 3 NEUTRALS for the first speaker alone. Rare to get zero neutrals on a speaker.

4. Repeat step 2 but for Second Speaker’s Argument
5. Repeat #3, Eliminate Neutrals

**you cannot infer a COMPARISON if stmt does not address both things being compared**

Question 5

“most appropriately fills in the blank…”

“most logically completes the argument…”

Answer 5

Inference - Guided Inf!

WEAK LANGUAGE in ACs is preferred

1. Read Question ID in question stem a _______ to fill in
2. Argument Analysis:

read argument, label S/W language

label POVs and cut POVs

label thought vs reality

pronouns

Can predict AC before you leave the argument

Prefer weak language for the blank, correct answer will not have new ideas, just building on argument

Question 6

How can 100% words be symbolized?

Answer 6

An if-then statement

Question 7

If you see an inference AC with “most” that matches “most” in the argument, but qualifiers are difft, what is that called?

Answer 7

Wrong “most” and makes it a wrong answer

Question 8

What is risky about inferring an answer choice with 51% qualifier (most, majority, etc) attached to the group from an passage that uses a 51% qualifier attached to a group?

Answer 8

It better be the same exact GROUP to which the 51% words are attached!

E.g. do not infer most coffeehouses are well designed from

• most public places are well designed &
• all coffeehouses are public places