Logical Reasoning

[SCarolina]

Hello, My name is Samantha and I am taking the LSAT on October 3, so in 10 days. I am in major need of some help with attacking the logical reasoning questions. Currently I am studying how to notice the type of questions presented if specific words such as assumption or inference is not specifically stated in the question.

For example, how do I set up the below question? Would I use a "sufficient/necessary" diagram

QUESTION:
Transcriptionist: To be a successful transcriptionist, you must focus on improving your typing speed. But “words per minute” alone is not the best
measure. You should instead focus on being able to quickly and accurately type long passages of at least five hundred words. You need to encounter a
variety of different words, numbers, and types of punctuation. Shorter passages, while useful to obtain a higher maximum speed, are insufficient to
sustain speed over the long term.

Which one of the following statements, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the transcriptionist’s argument?

Possible Answers:
A. Most passages encountered by transcriptionists in their job are over five hundred words long and contain a variety of different words, numbers, and types of punctuation.

B. Most transcriptionist jobs are obtained by persons with at least a year of formal training.

C. When asked what factors are considered in hiring transcriptionist applicants, the majority of employers stated that typing speed was the single most important factor.

D. Most successful transcriptionists type, on average, faster than 90% of the population.

E. One’s typing speed over the course of one hundred words will drop by an average of 20% after typing for five hundred words.

[David Boyle]

Hello, My name is Samantha and I am taking the LSAT on October 3, so in 10 days. I am in major need of some help with attacking the logical reasoning questions. Currently I am studying how to notice the type of questions presented if specific words such as assumption or inference is not specifically stated in the question.

For example, how do I set up the below question? Would I use a "sufficient/necessary" diagram

QUESTION:
Transcriptionist: To be a successful transcriptionist, you must focus on improving your typing speed. But “words per minute” alone is not the best
measure. You should instead focus on being able to quickly and accurately type long passages of at least five hundred words. You need to encounter a
variety of different words, numbers, and types of punctuation. Shorter passages, while useful to obtain a higher maximum speed, are insufficient to
sustain speed over the long term.

Which one of the following statements, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the transcriptionist’s argument?

Possible Answers:
A. Most passages encountered by transcriptionists in their job are over five hundred words long and contain a variety of different words, numbers, and types of punctuation.

B. Most transcriptionist jobs are obtained by persons with at least a year of formal training.

C. When asked what factors are considered in hiring transcriptionist applicants, the majority of employers stated that typing speed was the single most important factor.

D. Most successful transcriptionists type, on average, faster than 90% of the population.

E. One’s typing speed over the course of one hundred words will drop by an average of 20% after typing for five hundred words.

Hello Samantha,

First off, what test is the problem above from? Was it on a real LSAT?
Second, it looks like a Strengthen question. It says, "Which one of the following statements, if valid, most helps to justify the reasoning in the transcriptionist’s argument?" There's the magic word "justify", but it says "most helps to justify", so there is not necessarily 100% strong justification. Therefore, it's a mere Strengthen question, not a Justify question.
As for how to solve it: common sense may be more useful than diagramming. (You could diagram it a little if you want, e.g., one thing you can say is

successful encounter different words, numbers, and types of punctuation

, or such.)
Again, please let me know what test this is from. Until then,

Hope this helps,
David

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Samantha,

Thanks for the question! A few quick things:

First, this isn't a real LSAT question, and even as a simulation it's pretty poorly done. The answer choice language in particular is nowhere near how it would appear on a real LSAT. So, that's probably causing some of your problems here, and I'd stop using whatever resource this came from.

Second, I wouldn't use diagrams here. The conditionality that is present in the first sentence isn't key to solving this problem, and I think you can understand the whole of it without a diagram. Remember, although many problems contain conditionality, many of those don't need to be diagrammed. Only diagram when you think it will help you understand what was said!

Last, David is spot on with his question type breakdown, and the manner in which he did that is a good model for how anyone could/should be doing that. He saw various keywords and phrases, and modified his analysis accordingly as he went through it.

Thanks!

[SCarolina]

Hello David,

This question came from a website called Virtual Tutor. This website tests your knowledge and time with answering questions from a standardized test (GMAT, SAT, LSAT, etc.). I took the logical reasoning timed test on this website and this was one of the questions.

Thank you for your response. From now on, I'll jus stick to the powerscore practice questions and LSAT tests!!

[SCarolina]

BTW, answer choice was A...you were right in how you laid this out for me. I get so caught up in the time that I forget sometimes things are common sense or I make things more complicated than what they really are.