(obsolete) LSAT Short Argument Q Type Identification (18 q types)

Question 1

Question Stem Language:

“Conclusion will follow logically if AC is true…”

“Conclusion will be properly drawn if AC is true…”

“AC justifies the conclusion…”

“Conclusion can be properly inferred if which of the following is assumed”

Answer 1

Assumption Sufficient SUF:

answer choices (ACs) will *prove* the *assumption* to be true, thereby proving the conclusion to be true

Assumption Based

Question 2

Question Stem Language:

“Assumption required…”

“Assumption on which the argument depends/relies/needs”

“Assumption underlies argument…”

Answer 2

Assumption Necessary NEC:

answer choices (ACs) will provide information that is *needed* for the *assumption* to be true (3 types)

Assumption Based

Ask yourself “Do I need to know?” for each AC and some ACs will be extra, but correct AC will be what you need to know

Question 3

Question Stem Language:

Answer 3

Strengthen STN:

answer choices (ACs) will make the *assumption* more *likely* to be true Assumption Based

Question 4

Question Stem Language:

“weaken…”

“undermines…”

“call in to question…”

Answer 4

Weakens WKN:

answer choices (ACs) will make the *assumption* less *likely* to be true

Assumption Based

Question 5

Question Stem Language:

“flaw…”

“error in reasoning…”

“vulnerable to criticism…”

“reasoning in argument is flawed…”

Answer 5

Flaw FL: answer choices (ACs) will describe the *assumption* in a negative way

Assumption Based

**always draw out conclusion in symbols for Flaw Questions! and look for flow words and match E and C in AC to E and C in argument**

Question 6

Question Stem Language

“evaluate the argument”

“assess the validity…”

Answer 6

Evaluate EVAL:

answer choices (ACs) will ask a question that addresses the assumption

Assumption Based

Question 7

Question Stem Language

“error in reasoning similar to which one of the following…”

Answer 7

Parallel Flaw LLF:

will have a correct answer choice (AC) that contains an argument that displays the same assumption as the argument in question

Assumption

Based must symbolize

Question 8

Question Stem Language:

“argument conforms to which of the following principles…”

Answer 8

Reasoning Conforms RCON:

Answer choices (AC) will state the assumption of the argument in language that is slightly broader or stronger than the perfect assumption –

think of “conform” as meaning “close” (i.e. slightly more or slightly less)

Assumption Based

Question 9

Question Stem Language:

“inference…”

“argument supports AC…”

“AC supported by argument…”

“AC must be true/false…”

“a conclusion…”

“follows logically…”

“AC is properly drawn from the argument…”

Answer 9

Inference INF:

answer choices (AC) will provide a statement that “almost has to be true” according to the information given and “Generally Accepted Reality”

Inference Based

Question 10

Question Stem Language

“point at issue…”

“disagree…”

“agree…”

Answer 10

Point at Issue PAI: will provide a statement that both speakers addressed dirctly or indirectly in such a way that you infer that they disagree with one another about that statement

Inference Based

Question 11

Question Stem Language

“most appropriately fills in the blank…”

“most logically completes the argument…”

Answer 11

Guided Inference GI aka Fill in the Blank: answer choices (AC) will build on information given in the argument and key words close to the blank to be filled in

Inference Based

Question 12

Question Stem Language

“main point…”

“the conclusion…”

“stmt the argument is attempting to prove…”

Answer 12

Main Point MP: Answer choices (AC) simply state THE conclusion of the argument

Structure Based

Question 13

Question Stem Language “method of argument…” “method of reasoning…” “proceeds by…” “technique…” “by…”

Answer 13

Method of Argument (METH) Answer choices (AC) describe what the argument is doing, usually in very vague terms (5 types) Structure Based

Question 14

Question Stem Language “function…” “role…” “figures in the argument…” “purpose…”

Answer 14

Function FUN: Answer choices describe how one particular part of the argument fits into the argument as a whole (4 types) Structure Based

Question 15

Question Stem Language

Answer 15

Parallel Reasoning LL: Answer choices will have an entire argument that parallels the logical (not necessarily physical) argumentative structure of the main argument above (2 types) Structure Based

Question 16

Question Stem Language “resolves the paradox…” “explains the surprising results…” “resolve or reconcile the discrepancy…” “explain the difference…”

Answer 16

Paradox DOX: Answer choices will *explain* or *resolve* the situation in the argument that seems contradictory (4 types) Situational Question

Question 17

Question Stem Language “principle illustrated above…” “principle stated above…”

Answer 17

Principle Above PA: Answer choices will take the general principle that was *stated* or illustrated in the argument above and apply the principle to a new, specific situation (2 types) Situational Question

Question 18

Question Stem Language “situation above most conforms to…” “the following principle/generalization…” “situation above best illustrates the following…”

Answer 18

Situation Conforms (SCON) Answer choices will state a general principle or just an idea that applies to the situation described in the argument above. (3 types) Situational Question think of “conform” as meaning “close” (i.e. slightly more or slightly less)

Question 19

As compared to the assumption in the main argument, how do assumptions in the correct Answer Choices to the following Q-types differ from one another? Assumption- Sufficient Assumption-Necessary Assumption-Reasoning Conforms Assumption-Strengthen

Answer 19

Assumption in correct AC as compared to perfect articulation of the Assumption in main argument… Sufficient: more, broader, stronger Necessary: less, narrower, weaker RCON: slightly more, slightly less (note that “conforms” means close) Strengthen: all of the above