147 comments

  • Wednesday, Aug 5, 2020

    I've been keeping a separate document with examples for all of the question types and have them organized based on if it is upward or downward reasoning. Hopefully this helps someone else!

    Question Types Categorized by Upward and Downward Reasoning

    DOWN - Critical of the AC

    Main Point

    Method of Reasoning

    Argument Part

    Flawed Method of Reasoning

    Parallel method of reasoning

    Parallel flawed method of reasoning

    Point at issue

    Must be true*

    Most strongly supported

    Must be false

    UP - Not critical of the AC, accept AC as true

    Strengthen

    Weaken

    Necessary Assumption

    Sufficient Assumption

    Pseudo- Sufficient Assumption

    Principle

    Resolve, reconcile, explain

    DOWN QUESTIONS STEMS:

    MAIN POINT QUESTION STEMS

    - Which of the following most accurately and completely expresses the main conclusion of the city council members argument?

    MUST BE TRUE QUESTION STEMS

    - If the statements above are true, which one of the following must be true?

    - Which one of the following can be properly inferred from the statements above?

    - Which one of the following statements follows logically from the statements above?

    - Which of the following can be properly concluded from the passage?

    MUST BE FALSE QUESTION STEMS

    - If the critics statements are true, then on the basis of them which one of the following cannot be true

    - If the statements above are true, then each of the following could be true EXCEPT

    ARGUMENT PART QUESTION STEMS

    - Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the farmer's argument by the proposition that farmers have to use greater and greater amounts of costly insecticides to control insect pests?

    - The statement that the car Peter took got damaged and the car alicia took did not play which of the following roles in the argument?

    - The proposition that the public is now more interested in reading and hearing about crime plays which one of the following roles in the argument?

    - Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the argument by the statement that zooplankton feed upon phytoplankton?

    - Which one of the following most accurately describes the role played in the passage by the point that capitalism and industrialization are distinct?

    - The assertion that it is not illegal to use one person as a vehicle for another's ambitions is used in the ethicist's argument in which one of the following ways?

    METHOD OF REASONING QUESTION STEMS

    - Which of the following most accurately describes the argumentative technique used in the argument?

    - In the exchange above, the function of Craig's comment is to

    - Frank's argument is an attempt to counter Lance's conclusion by

    - The executive's reasoning does which one of the following?

    PARALLEL METHOD OF REASONING QUESTION STEMS

    - Which of the following arguments exhibits flawed reasoning most similar to that exhibited by the argument above?

    - Which one of the following arguments has a flawed pattern of reasoning most like the flawed reasoning in the argument above?

    FLAW/DESCRIPTIVE WEAKENING QUESTION STEMS

    - The argument is most vulnerable to criticism on the grounds that it

    - The biologist's argument is most vulnerable to criticism on which one of the following grounds?

    - The argument's reasoning is flawed because the argument

    MOST STRONGLY SUPPORTED QUESTION STEMS

    Try placing ‘according to the text’ before the answer choices to filter out what fits and what doesn’t

    - The consultant’s statements, if true, most strongly support which one of the following?

    - Which one of the following conclusions is most strongly supported by the information above?

    - Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the information above?

    - Which one of the following is most reasonably supported by the information above?

    - Which one of the following is most strongly supported by the statements above, if they are true?

    POINT AT ISSUE QUESTION STEMS

    Agree:

    - Their dialogue provides the most support for the claim that Denise and Reshmi agree that

    Disagree:

    - The dialogue provides the most support for the claim that Glen and Sara disagree about whether

    - The dialogue most strongly supports the claim that Tania and Monique disagree about whether

    UP QUESTIONS STEMS:

    WEAKEN SAMPLE QUESTION STEMS

    - Which one of the following, if true, is the logically strongest counter that Albert can make to Erin’s argument?

    - Which one of the following statements, if true, most weakens the argument?

    - Which one of the following, if true, most weakens the argument?

    - Which one of the following, if true, most seriously undermines the conclusion drawn in the argument above?

    - Which one of the following, if true, would most weaken the argument in the newspaper article?

    - “Calls into question”

    STRENGTHEN QUESTION STEMS

    - Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

    - Which one of the following, if true, would most strengthen the archaeologist’s reasoning?

    - Which one of the following, if true, lends the most support to the psychologist’s conclusion?

    - Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the economist’s reasoning?

    - The conclusion of the psychiatrist's argument is most strongly supported if which one of the following completes the argument?

    PSEUDO-SUFFICIENT ASSUMPTION QUESTION STEMS

    - Which one of the following principles, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the argument?

    SUFFICIENT ASSUMPTION QUESTION STEMS

    The stem is asking about which can be assumed

    - The critic’s conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?

    - Which one of the following, if assumed, allows the conclusion of the therapist’s argument to be properly inferred?

    - The argument’s conclusion is properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed?

    - The conclusion above follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?

    - Which one of the following, if true, justifies the above application of the principle?

    - The conclusion drawn follows logically from the premises if which one of the following is assumed?

    NECESSARY ASSUMPTION QUESTION STEMS

    The stem is asking about what is assumed

    - The argument makes which one of the following assumptions?

    - The argument assumes

    - Which one of the following is an assumption on which the argument relies?

    - Which one of the following is an assumption that the fundraiser's argument depends on?

    - Which one of the following is an assumption required by the argument?

    - Which one of the following is an assumption made by the argument?

    - Which one of the following is an assumption necessary for the critic’s conclusion to be properly drawn?

    - The argument relies on which one of the following assumptions?

    - The argument above is based on which of the following

    PRINCIPLE QUESTION STEMS

    PSA/Strengthen Style:

    - Which of the following principles if true would most help to justify the author’s reasoning?

    - Which of the following principles, if established, would provide a basis for the advocates argument?

    These are just looking for a pseudo sufficient assumption principle to be invoked to bring the argument close to validity.

    Application of Principle:

    - Which of the following is an application of the principle stated above?

    Looking for an example of the stated rule in action

    State a principle given a scenario:

    - The scenario above most conforms to which of the following principles?

    Similar to MSS, we are asked to come up with a general rule that can be ascertained from a phenomenon.

    RESOLVE, RECONCILE, EXPLAIN QUESTION STEMS

    - Each of the following, if true, contributes to an explanation of the practice mentioned above, except

    - Each of the following, if true, would help resolve the apparent discrepancy described above, except

    - Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain why the people mentioned continued to grow corn as their staple grain crop?

    - Which one of the following, if true, least helps to explain the silver ants choice of scavenging times?

    470
    Sunday, Aug 9, 2020

    Wow. Excellent organization.

    Hope you do well on LSAT!

    7
    Sunday, Nov 29, 2020

    Thanks so much !!!

    0
    Tuesday, Aug 11, 2020

    AC is answer choices, correct?

    2
    Wednesday, Aug 5, 2020

    This is amazing. Thank you for putting this together.

    16
    Saturday, Dec 18, 2021

    WOW! Thank you!!!

    0
    Monday, Nov 7, 2022

    replying to save!

    0
    Sunday, Dec 17, 2023

    Great work, thank you for this.

    0
    Saturday, Dec 19, 2020

    Thank you!

    Does anyone know which section goes over the difference between upward and downward reasoning?

    #help

    1
    Tuesday, Sep 21, 2021

    THANK YOU!

    0
    Thursday, Apr 15, 2021

    Thank u so much for this.

    I just had a small brain fade, what does AC stand for again? #help

    0
    Monday, Mar 29, 2021

    This is wonderful, thank you!!!

    0
    Tuesday, Aug 11, 2020

    Thank you!! You too

    5
    Tuesday, Aug 11, 2020

    Hi! Yes AC stands for answer choice!

    1
    Monday, Apr 26, 2021

    DOWN: Assume the stimulus as all true (don't question anything about it), and question the AC's. Ask yourself if the stimulus supports the correct AC...The stimulus points down to the right AC.

    UP: Assume all AC as true, and question the stimulus. And ask yourself if the ACs, assumed as true, does it answer what the question stem is asking you to do.

    4
    Thursday, Apr 15, 2021

    Happens to the best of us :) It stands for answer choice.

    0
  • Tuesday, Nov 14, 2017

    Shout out to the one must be false question stem

    49
    Friday, Jun 1, 2018

    I stared at it and was like "uhhh ok this is easy why isn't this coming out.. oh ya MBF"

    1
  • Tuesday, Jul 21, 2020

    I'm not sure if I remember how to solve any of these question types... Gives me anxiety in the middle of the night...

    "NOW I'M WAKING UP, I'LL FORGET EVERYTHING!"

    35
  • Thursday, Nov 15, 2018

    That one random little must be false just lying in the reeds.

    27
  • Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025

    the quiz was like all flaw or necessary assumption lol

    25
  • Friday, May 9, 2025

    #feedback number 19 is labeled as necessary assumption but the actual question it comes from is sufficient assumption.

    19
  • Saturday, Feb 7

    That Must be False threw me off lol

    12
  • Sunday, Jan 21, 2024

    "Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the increased likelihood that an unemployed retiree will have a heart attack on a Monday?"

    Oh my gosh, this is soooo LSAT.

    12
  • Saturday, Mar 8, 2025

    Made a knowt set for this if anyone is interested: https://knowt.com/flashcards/ea87f641-8ea3-4648-907e-aec70f9c9287?isNew=true

    8
  • Wednesday, Jul 27, 2022

    Why Q4 is a necessary assumption but not a sufficient assumption?

    #help (Added by Admin)

    7
    Friday, Jul 29, 2022

    Q4: "Which one of the following principles must be assumed in order for the psychologist's conclusion to be properly drawn?"

    The key phrase is "must be assumed," aka it is necessary to the argument.

    A SA stem would read "the psychologists conclusion is properly drawn if which one of the following principles is assumed"

    18
    Friday, Jul 29, 2022

    NA: "If the psychologists conclusion is properly drawn, then the principle is true."

    SA: "If the principle is true, then the conclusion is properly drawn."

    5
  • Wednesday, Jul 6, 2022

    #help

    Does anybody know why Q19 is necessary assumption ?

    I thought it was sufficient assumption...!

    Q19

    The argument makes which one of the following assumptions?

    7
    Monday, May 29, 2023

    I guess because you can't assume that the argument is making a certain assumption. the correct ac has to be an assumption that the argument is indisputably making

    0
    Saturday, Jul 23, 2022

    i think it's because the question is asking for which assumption is necessary for the argument to be valid.

    i.e., if you do not have this assumption, the argument falls apart. therefore, it is a necessary assumption

    0
  • Monday, Apr 7, 2025

    #feedback Question 4 labels it as a necessary assumption but in the next lesson the same question type is labeled as sufficient.

    6
    Thursday, May 22, 2025

    #4 is an assumption required for the conclusion aka necc assump

    1
  • Sunday, Jul 19, 2020

    Which one of the following principles must be assumed in order for the psychologist's conclusion to be properly drawn?

    Confusing... this is necessary but i thought the last part (conclusion to be properly dran) was asking for sufficient

    6
    Saturday, Jul 25, 2020

    You're correct that typically "properly drawn" is used in SA questions, but this specific question stem asks, "Which of the following principles must be assumed...," which implies necessity. If it were an SA question, it would read something like, "Which one of the following principles, if assumed, would allow for the psychologist's conclusion to be properly drawn?"

    Hope this helps!

    21
  • Thursday, Jul 2

    I am confused why Q4 is a Necessary Assumption.

    Which one of the following principles must be assumed in order for the psychologist's conclusion to be properly drawn?

    5
  • Tuesday, May 12

    48 questions. Make it 50 :p

    5
  • Friday, Apr 3

    Can someone explain why Q19 is Necessary assumption? How would i know?

    5
    Saturday, May 23

    @Tswizzle25 I actually think this one could be either NA or SA. The stem is not clear if its asking which assumption is necessary or if the argument just makes an assumption that is sufficient. I think there's some gray area and we would have to look at the stimulus and answer choices to get a feel for whether we're looking for NA or SA.

    3
  • Thursday, Mar 5

    how important is it to really identify the names of these arguments do y'all think?

    5
    Saturday, Mar 7

    @LiviaLSAT so important that im skipping it

    3
    Tuesday, Apr 28

    @LiviaLSAT I was going to say the same thing. I don't think this assists me in getting the right answer to actual questions.

    2
  • Saturday, Jan 3

    Can anyone explain why question 7 "In the exchange above, the function of Craig's comment is to" is a Method of Reasoning question? And not say, Argument Part?

    5
    Tuesday, Feb 3

    Kevin's answer in a different thread: It's because that question stem would be part of a 2-speaker stim. Craig would almost certainly be the second speaker. So when we're asked the "function" of Craig's comment, it's asking about Craig's purpose is in his response. Was it to question an assumption? Counter a premise? Etc.

    3
  • Wednesday, Dec 31, 2025

    40/48

    A couple of these threw me off at first but then the patterns started jumping out. Truly appreciate these rapid-fire exercises. It solidifies the skill that much more.

    5
  • Tuesday, Dec 4, 2018

    #4) "Which one of the following principles must be assumed in order for the psychologist's conclusion to be properly drawn?"

    It says that this is necessary assumption, but isn't this question sufficient assumption b/c it's asking for the assumption needed to ensure the argument is properly drawn/valid?

    #help

    5
    Thursday, Apr 4, 2019

    Disregard this

    0
    Tuesday, Dec 11, 2018

    It says ”must” be assumed so its a necessary condition

    6
  • Tuesday, Dec 21, 2021

    why is 19 necessary assumption instead of sufficient assumption

    4
    Tuesday, Jan 11, 2022

    Hi Brian, I initially was confused as well. I've never seen an N.A. question dressed up as an S.A. like this. Very tough one.

    Here's Lexshah's answer below:

    "You’re correct that typically “properly drawn” is used in SA questions, but this specific question stem asks, “Which of the following principles must be assumed…,” which implies necessity. If it were an SA question, it would read something like, “Which one of the following principles, if assumed, would allow for the psychologist’s conclusion to be properly drawn?”"

    4
    Wednesday, Feb 23, 2022

    then why is Question 4 necessary and not sufficient?

    0
    Friday, Feb 18, 2022

    I don't think your reply was about question 19, as it doesn't ask "which of the following principles must be assumed".

    19 asks "The argument makes which one of the following assumptions?"...if anyone knows why this is a necessary assumption question, please let me know! #help

    2
    Monday, Jul 25, 2022

    Hi Pretzel Logic,

    Are you a fan of Steely Dan? Your username made me curious

    0
    Thursday, Mar 7, 2024

    I think sufficient assumption question stems usually include something like, "If which one of the following is assumed" -- the answer choice is something that is not already present in the argument. In a conditional statement, "if" introduces the sufficient condition. But this stem is asking for an assumption that the argument is already making -- meaning that without it the argument would fall apart which indicates a necessary assumption.

    0
    Friday, Mar 4, 2022

    Because it says "must be assumed"

    0
  • Friday, Aug 3, 2018

    Is anyone else having any issues distinguishing "resolve/reconcile/explain and SA question stems? Can anyone #help explain their method of making the distinction if they have one?

    4
    Friday, Aug 3, 2018

    I believe part of it is just practice -- as you gain exposure to questions you get more accurate with distinguishing between different stems.

    But if we look more closely, SA questions always have the words "if" and "assume(d)" (but not the word "most" because all three would make it a PSA question). Other words key phrases that might show up include "conclusion follows logically" and "conclusion...properly drawn/inferred." For example (from the CC lesson):

    - The critic’s conclusion follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?

    - Which one of the following, if assumed, allows the conclusion of the therapist’s argument to be properly inferred?

    The argument’s conclusion is properly drawn if which one of the following is assumed?

    The conclusion above follows logically if which one of the following is assumed?

    While for RRE, the stem will always include one of the three words, "resolve," "reconcile," or "explain." Other words that might show up in the stem include "paradox" and "discrepancy." If you look at the following stems:

    - Which one of the following, if true, most helps to resolve the apparent paradox?

    - Which one of the following, if true, most helps to explain the surprising results of such investments?

    - Each of the following, if true, helps to reconcile the statements above EXCEPT:

    - Which one of the following, if true, contributes most to an explanation of the difference in the planned versus the actual reduction in the workforce?

    - Which one of the following, if true, does most to resolve the apparent discrepancy in the information above?

    Hope this helps! :)

    13
    Friday, Aug 3, 2018

    Thank you for the explanation :)

    0
    Friday, Nov 2, 2018

    This really helped! Thank you!

    0
  • Saturday, Aug 23, 2014

    According to http://7sage.com/lesson/quiz-on-logical-reasoning-question-stems-sufficient-v-necessary-assumptions/

    I would think 4 would be Sufficient Assumption, and 21 is Necessary Assumption.

    4
    Sunday, Sep 21, 2014

    I agree - I labelled #4 a pseudo suff. assumption based on "following principles assumed" with the -ed (typically, with assumption questions the word assumption - ending in "tion" tips you off it's a NA and the assumed - ending in "ed" tips you off it's a SA) and the "allows conclusion to be properly drawn" - another typical SA / PSA stem. Any clarification out there?? I'd like to understand if this is a mistake on the answer key and if not, perhaps some further clarification why it is a NA??

    1
    Saturday, Oct 11, 2014

    the comments are below, but the "must be" in #4 makes it necessary.

    and i think the answer sheet says 21 is NA.

    2
  • Edited Saturday, Apr 18

    I thought any assumption question that mentions anything about the conclusion being properly drawn would be SA? 4&21 tripped me up with it being NA?!?

    3
    Edited Tuesday, May 12

    @mitch.s For 4, it specifically says "must" be assumed in order for the conclusion to be properly drawn. It does not mean that, once assumed, the conclusion can be properly drawn, as it might require more assumptions. The same goes for 21, where "must" is replaced with "necessary."

    3
  • Tuesday, Jan 6

    How do we print these quizzes?

    3

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