LSAT Logical Reasoning: Main Conclusion Questions

Overview

• Main Conclusion Questions: Represent ~4% of all Logical Reasoning questions.
• Core Skill: Finding conclusions to evaluate arguments.

Objectives

Spotting Main Conclusion Questions

• Language: Look for terms like “main conclusion” in the question.
• Variations: Questions may not always ask directly but still aim to find the main conclusion.

Process of Identifying Conclusions

1. Identify what you think is the conclusion.
2. Understand the evidence supporting the conclusion.
3. Organize the argument to differentiate between main and intermediate conclusions.
4. Anticipate the answer and use trap patterns to eliminate choices.

Conclusion Types

• Language Cues: Words like “therefore,” “hence,” which introduce conclusions.
• Support Indicators: Terms like “because,” indicating support for a conclusion.
• Pivot Words: Words like “however” suggesting a pivot from an opposing argument to the author’s point.

Example Analysis

Example 1

• Context: Paleontologists suggest Apatosaurus could gallop.
• Pivot: “However” introduces a pivot refuting the suggestion.
• Support: Experiments indicate leg bones couldn't withstand galloping strains.
• Main Conclusion: Apatosaurus probably couldn't gallop, identified through refutation pattern (common in 39% of questions).

Example 2

• Context: Double-blind techniques recommended for scientific experiments.
• Language Cue: “Should” suggests a recommendation (a common conclusion structure in 18% of questions).
• Evidence: Supporting premises use terms like “and,” clarifying the main recommendation.
• Main Conclusion: Double-blind techniques should be used wherever possible.

Example 3

• Context: Evaluation of global warming's effect on tropical storms.
• Evidence-Conclusion Link: “For this reason” highlights the main conclusion.
• Pivot: “But” introduces the author’s position against a prevailing prediction.
• Main Conclusion: Global warming unlikely to produce more frequent/intense storms, found using both refutation and prediction patterns (common in 12% of questions).

Trap Answer Patterns

• Out of Scope: Less common but occurs when an answer introduces unrelated elements.
• Different Role: Wrong answers often present premises instead of conclusions (38% of wrong answers come from this pattern).
• Unsupported Claims: Twisting/mangling relationships (19% of wrong answers).
• Opposing Support: Presenting opposition’s point instead of the author’s (8%).
• Assumptions: Presenting underlying assumptions rather than conclusions (7%).
• Intermediate Conclusions: Confusing intermediate conclusions with main ones (7%).

Key Takeaways

• Identification: Use question stem language to determine main conclusion questions.
• Patterns: Recognize common structures like refutations, recommendations, predictions, and explanations.
• Eliminations: Be aware of trap answer patterns that can mislead.

Conclusion

• Mastering main conclusion questions involves understanding question stems, recognizing common language cues, using process strategies, and being aware of common wrong answer patterns.
• Continue practicing with more examples and consider visiting LSATLab.com for further resources and lessons.