i knew why it was wrong, but I struggle with the way the answers are written the language seems more unnatural than the question. :-( I just don't know how to decipher the answers when they use that sort of abstract vocabulary vs if they had actually used phrases like government agencies etc I would've been able to understnad it in relation to the questions and passage more.
What is a correlation? Two factors happening in relation to each other (rates ppl buy ice cream and amt of shark attacks)
What is one causal explanation for that correlation? (ppl buy ice cream when its hot out, when its hot out ppl like to swim in the ocean leading to more shark attacks)
What are a few alternative explanations for that correlation? (the shark attacks cause the ice cream sales, the ice cream sales cause the shark attacks, the heat leads to both high ice cream sales and shark attacks, no correlation)
Do alternative explanations “counter” a correlation? Why or why not? (no because the correlation occurs regardless of if there is an alternate explanation, its an imperfect relationship allowing for some leeway)
@themoodyactivist i've unintentionally been reading a bit more this year but things that i try to do (that i've found helpful for studying too) are:
being deliberate about reading (even up to this point, did you read every single word i so painstakingly took the time to type up or did you notice you filled in the blank or skipped a word? sometimes it'll be okay but sometimes, it can cause you to switch or remove a keyword that could be a difference in understanding the stimulus, the stem, miss the argument, etc.)
i'm sure this has origins in literature (one of the english majors can probably confirm) but one thing i noticed while starting to study for the LSATs, is that when i read, i end up doing it in a sort of a waltz. a good portion of music (to be conservative) is written in 4/4 time (or common time, appropriately named) but the waltz is in 3. so instead of counting (1,2,3,4), you will count (1,2,3).
looking at the stimulus here, first who is the voice or author or whatever you call them? editorial. moving on, "Many observers note" 3 words, 3 items. what are we talking about? observers. just one? no, many. what are they doing? they're noting. ok move on.
to build upon the above, sometimes, you could even just take out the modifiers, identify the subjects and the actions and just get the more explicit details later if you feel the need based on the stem (or sometimes i'll go back and forth, read a line of the stimulus and then just glance over real quick to make a note of the stem)
@yesterdayseeker thanks for the tips. I'm going to attempt them when I read. I also need to leisurely read on my own time aside from studying! Something that is fun and gets me invested. One of the tutors did mention seeking out subjects, verbs, etc when reading so that we get the basis of what it is saying so I'm going to try that and see where it leads me!
@Isabella! It depends on what the question is asking of you or what the stimulus says. An alternative explanation is anything that is different from a single explanation. The alternative explanation in Answer D is not countering the correlation, it is proposing an alternative as to why that correlation exists. Instead of A causing B, it is instead B that causes A.
On another question it could very well be that two things appear correlated, but actually are not. An alternative explanation for why they seem correlated but are not would likely be Hypothesis 4 from before, that they aren't actually correlated. Or Hypothesis 3, that it is not necessarily A and B that are correlated with each other, but instead that both A and B are correlated with C.
I think my biggest issue is second guessing myself causing my time to increase. Got this one right, but took way to much time. When I do get questions wrong, I find often I had the right answer at first and then over thought it. Anyone else have this problem?
I think this will be answered in later sections, but I have seen the word "generalization" appear a lot on potential LSAT answers like this. Maybe someone could let me know is there is something specific they mean when they mention this?
@Garrett_dom I think the best way to think about it is a claim that applies to more than just specific examples.
"My brother likes swords." -- not a generalization
"Most people like swords." -- generalization
"All people like swords" -- generalization
"Children tend to like swords" -- generalization
I'm sure it can get more nuanced, because it's possible that a claim becomes a generalization depending on the context around it, but that's...generally (usually) how I think about it.
The reason I didn't choose D is because of the verbiage in the answer choice: "offering an alternate explanation of the CORRELATION cited"
I thought because of the wording in the stimulus, "caused by" was indicating a casual relationship. Therefore, I thought answer D was a trick question answer choice.
@Edbnapa Other people are saying the decline is caused by growth in government services. But the editorialist is pushing back on that and suggesting a different explanation.
A is correlated with B
Some people say: A causes B.
Editorialist says: B might cause A.
"B might cause A" is an alternate explanation for the correlation between A and B.
@iammichaelscott That's not our intention! J.Y. is just sharing a high-scorer's analysis of the different answers and why they're wrong or right. Is there a particular answer choice on this one that you felt this "judgy" tone? And to be clear, do you feel that this tone is suggesting judgment of viewers? Or is there some line of reasoning for a wrong answer that you felt was not addressed, and so eliminating the answer is unsatisfying? Just trying to get clear on exactly what the problem is and how it can be cleared up here or in future explanations.
@Kevin_Lin Sorry, I commented this when I was tired and in a bad mood. I guess I submitted C for my blind review and was really angry with "wow, this is so wrong I don't even know where to begin." Just felt a little condescending. But kind of a silly thing for me to nitpick about
@Feitan Right, I don't think anyone is suggesting we should draw a diagram for this question. Many explanations simply use visuals for the purpose of clarifying the logic for those who don't understand it well. But by no means should you be drawing out stuff on the vast majority of questions. Probably just 1 or 2 questions in a section are worth some kind of diagram.
Wahoo, I got it correct! It took me about 2 and half minutes but I was able to explain to myself why each answer choice was wrong. I believe it is a strong step in the right direction!
I knew it was either B or D. I think B confused me because of the language. I wasn't sure what counterexample really meant ("now knowing it means an example that contradicts the given statement") and thought at the time it meant that the author was providing an alternate example, similar to D. Should we consider this a missed question since it was due to a language misunderstanding?
I believe a lesson on how correlations can't have counterexamples would be very helpful because I didn't know that.
Been feeling a bit low since I have been struggling, not just with the material but trying to get up early in the morning to study before work then working a full shift and right back at it, but I finally got an answer right without having to do the blind review!!! I know it will take time and more practice but I just want to test good now!
@LoganHjermstad I completely understand I have been struggling to find time between school and other obligations to work on these lessons. I have been feeling behind like I should be doing more than the lessons also but I just don't have enough time.
78 comments
i knew why it was wrong, but I struggle with the way the answers are written the language seems more unnatural than the question. :-( I just don't know how to decipher the answers when they use that sort of abstract vocabulary vs if they had actually used phrases like government agencies etc I would've been able to understnad it in relation to the questions and passage more.
I got it right on the first try, but I feel like I still need to study more
Got it right on the first try! Which honestly quite proud of myself. Been struggling with eliminating answer choices!!
the competing hypotheses don't counter the correlation, they exist to compete as the explanation of the correlation
@ArthurMorgan thanks a ton, arthur. here's some jelly beans
Was stuck between B and D but ultimately made the right choice. Thanks for these preparatory lessons 7Sage!
@petvma Got it right on BR but B and D felt SO SIMILAR I need more practice LOLL im glad its not just me
What is a correlation? Two factors happening in relation to each other (rates ppl buy ice cream and amt of shark attacks)
What is one causal explanation for that correlation? (ppl buy ice cream when its hot out, when its hot out ppl like to swim in the ocean leading to more shark attacks)
What are a few alternative explanations for that correlation? (the shark attacks cause the ice cream sales, the ice cream sales cause the shark attacks, the heat leads to both high ice cream sales and shark attacks, no correlation)
Do alternative explanations “counter” a correlation? Why or why not? (no because the correlation occurs regardless of if there is an alternate explanation, its an imperfect relationship allowing for some leeway)
D was my initial guess early on but i spent extra time just convincing myself the other ones weren't correct (moreso B)
@yesterdayseeker How do you read so fast 😞
@themoodyactivist i've unintentionally been reading a bit more this year but things that i try to do (that i've found helpful for studying too) are:
being deliberate about reading (even up to this point, did you read every single word i so painstakingly took the time to type up or did you notice you filled in the blank or skipped a word? sometimes it'll be okay but sometimes, it can cause you to switch or remove a keyword that could be a difference in understanding the stimulus, the stem, miss the argument, etc.)
i'm sure this has origins in literature (one of the english majors can probably confirm) but one thing i noticed while starting to study for the LSATs, is that when i read, i end up doing it in a sort of a waltz. a good portion of music (to be conservative) is written in 4/4 time (or common time, appropriately named) but the waltz is in 3. so instead of counting (1,2,3,4), you will count (1,2,3).
looking at the stimulus here, first who is the voice or author or whatever you call them? editorial. moving on, "Many observers note" 3 words, 3 items. what are we talking about? observers. just one? no, many. what are they doing? they're noting. ok move on.
to build upon the above, sometimes, you could even just take out the modifiers, identify the subjects and the actions and just get the more explicit details later if you feel the need based on the stem (or sometimes i'll go back and forth, read a line of the stimulus and then just glance over real quick to make a note of the stem)
no tl;dr (of course)
@yesterdayseeker thanks for the tips. I'm going to attempt them when I read. I also need to leisurely read on my own time aside from studying! Something that is fun and gets me invested. One of the tutors did mention seeking out subjects, verbs, etc when reading so that we get the basis of what it is saying so I'm going to try that and see where it leads me!
got it right on br, I NEED TO READ THOROUGHLY!!!!
I'm confused by what this means: Do alternative explanations “counter” a correlation? Why or why not? #help
@Isabella! It depends on what the question is asking of you or what the stimulus says. An alternative explanation is anything that is different from a single explanation. The alternative explanation in Answer D is not countering the correlation, it is proposing an alternative as to why that correlation exists. Instead of A causing B, it is instead B that causes A.
On another question it could very well be that two things appear correlated, but actually are not. An alternative explanation for why they seem correlated but are not would likely be Hypothesis 4 from before, that they aren't actually correlated. Or Hypothesis 3, that it is not necessarily A and B that are correlated with each other, but instead that both A and B are correlated with C.
I think my biggest issue is second guessing myself causing my time to increase. Got this one right, but took way to much time. When I do get questions wrong, I find often I had the right answer at first and then over thought it. Anyone else have this problem?
@oldguy exactly! I chose the right answer then went over the time thinking about it was the right one!
Light
ok that was light work
Timing is improving
yay, finally something that makes sense to me!
I think this will be answered in later sections, but I have seen the word "generalization" appear a lot on potential LSAT answers like this. Maybe someone could let me know is there is something specific they mean when they mention this?
@Garrett_dom I think the best way to think about it is a claim that applies to more than just specific examples.
"My brother likes swords." -- not a generalization
"Most people like swords." -- generalization
"All people like swords" -- generalization
"Children tend to like swords" -- generalization
I'm sure it can get more nuanced, because it's possible that a claim becomes a generalization depending on the context around it, but that's...generally (usually) how I think about it.
The reason I didn't choose D is because of the verbiage in the answer choice: "offering an alternate explanation of the CORRELATION cited"
I thought because of the wording in the stimulus, "caused by" was indicating a casual relationship. Therefore, I thought answer D was a trick question answer choice.
@Edbnapa Other people are saying the decline is caused by growth in government services. But the editorialist is pushing back on that and suggesting a different explanation.
A is correlated with B
Some people say: A causes B.
Editorialist says: B might cause A.
"B might cause A" is an alternate explanation for the correlation between A and B.
@Edbnapa I also made this same mistake. We have to pay attention to the crux of the passage and not what the other people were saying.
I'm tired of you going over the answer choices and being judgy about them. It makes me feel stupid
@iammichaelscott That's not our intention! J.Y. is just sharing a high-scorer's analysis of the different answers and why they're wrong or right. Is there a particular answer choice on this one that you felt this "judgy" tone? And to be clear, do you feel that this tone is suggesting judgment of viewers? Or is there some line of reasoning for a wrong answer that you felt was not addressed, and so eliminating the answer is unsatisfying? Just trying to get clear on exactly what the problem is and how it can be cleared up here or in future explanations.
@Kevin_Lin Sorry, I commented this when I was tired and in a bad mood. I guess I submitted C for my blind review and was really angry with "wow, this is so wrong I don't even know where to begin." Just felt a little condescending. But kind of a silly thing for me to nitpick about
Got this right extremely quickly without using arrows.
@Feitan Right, I don't think anyone is suggesting we should draw a diagram for this question. Many explanations simply use visuals for the purpose of clarifying the logic for those who don't understand it well. But by no means should you be drawing out stuff on the vast majority of questions. Probably just 1 or 2 questions in a section are worth some kind of diagram.
took me 2 min but we still got it! You can do it lock in twin
Wahoo, I got it correct! It took me about 2 and half minutes but I was able to explain to myself why each answer choice was wrong. I believe it is a strong step in the right direction!
I knew it was either B or D. I think B confused me because of the language. I wasn't sure what counterexample really meant ("now knowing it means an example that contradicts the given statement") and thought at the time it meant that the author was providing an alternate example, similar to D. Should we consider this a missed question since it was due to a language misunderstanding?
I believe a lesson on how correlations can't have counterexamples would be very helpful because I didn't know that.
@MRod This was exactly my way of thinking too...
Been feeling a bit low since I have been struggling, not just with the material but trying to get up early in the morning to study before work then working a full shift and right back at it, but I finally got an answer right without having to do the blind review!!! I know it will take time and more practice but I just want to test good now!
@LoganHjermstad I completely understand I have been struggling to find time between school and other obligations to work on these lessons. I have been feeling behind like I should be doing more than the lessons also but I just don't have enough time.
This made me so happy to get correct. I feel like I am finally catching up!
Ok I got it right, but I have a different reasoning on how I got it
I saw it as:
Casual Argument:
Decline in n. of NGO correlates with growth or increase of governement services
Conclusion
the Increase of Governement Services correlates with decrease in voluntareerism
Answer: alternate explaination to the correlation cited in casual argument
I got it right, but I don't understand how he got the same answer with a different reasoning
I finally got it right, crying emoji*