Verbal - critical reasoning

Question 1

Signaled by words such as, because of, since, due to, as a result of, after all

Answer 1

Premise

Question 2

Conclusion is signaled by

Answer 2

therefore, thus, so, consequently

Question 3

Background is almost always

Answer 3

Fact-based - historical info, data, descriptions, definitions, etc.

Question 4

Signaled by although, though, ,however, yet, but

Answer 4

Counterpoint

Question 5

Argument structure

Answer 5

Background
Counterpoint
Premise
Conclusion

Question 6

What does “even though” (though, althouhg, whereas, despite, while it is true that) signal?

Answer 6

an acknowledgment to or a concession to an opposing point of view.

Question 7

Cause and effect clues

Answer 7

Therefore, thus, so, consequently, for this reason, it follows that, as a result

Question 8

How identify the final conclusion?

Answer 8

Plug the two claims into two sentences using because and therefore and ask which is true; the one with “therefore” is the final conclusion:

Because A (he’s likely to get caught), therefore B (he will end up in jail)

vs.

Because B (he will end up in jail), therefore A (he’s likely to get caught

Question 9

Profit =

Answer 9

revenue minus cost

Question 10

Premise is a piece of evidence (fact or claim)

Answer 10

that supports the author’s conclusion

Question 11

Final conclusion is the author’s

Answer 11

main claim

Question 12

intermediate conclusion is both a

Answer 12

claim and a premise; supports the final conclusion

Question 13

background info helps to

Answer 13

set context for an argument

Question 14

counterpoint goes against

Answer 14

the conclusion

Question 15

What are three types of critical reasoning questions?

Answer 15

Structure based; assumption-based; evidence-based

Question 16

Name as many traps as possible (there are at least 6)

Answer 16

Direct contradiction
True BUT NOT RIGHT - the passage says this (or it’s true in the real world, but it does not answer the question asked.
Too EXTREME, passage can’t support
One word off – looks tempting but one or two words are wrong.
Out of scope - goes beyond what the passage says.
Mix-up – uses words directly from the passage but the meaning is not what the passage says.

Question 17

How do you approach EXCEPT questions?

Answer 17

Identify the question type, then work backwards: Go straight to the answers and try to find them in the passage – cross off the four true answers and select the one false answer.

Question 18

What are 3 examples of misperceptions in INFER question?

Answer 18

Real-World Distraction (logical in rel world, but not necessarily true based on argument)
Reverse Direction (says X leads to Y, when really Y leads to X)
Switch Terms (leads to different meaning: not the right group, object, or idea)

Question 19

What is different about Discrepancy question?

Answer 19

Looking for PREMISES (no conclusion! no assumptions!)

Question 20

What are 2 things to look out for in Discrepancy questions?

Answer 20

Reverse Logic - highlights the discrepancy rather than resolving it
Half Way - addresses one of the premises but not both