Understanding Conditional Reasoning

[mkogolo93]

Hey!

Basically, I am on Chapter 6 on Logical Reasoning (Conditional Reasoning), and I am partly confused. My diagramming is pretty on point, I know I just need to work on better abbreviations for the words in the statement. However, where my confusion comes in is answering actual LSAT question.

For example:
December 1991 LR1 Section II Prep Test #3
#10- "People with serious financial problems are so worried about money...." [ admin note- text of problem removed due to LSAC copyright restrictions ]

I ended up with D as an answer, but of course it was incorrect. I did not quite grasp the explanation as to why I my answer incorrect, and the reason why the other choices other than E( correct answer) being incorrect. Could someone break it down more clearly for me, please?

Also, is the main goal is to always find the Repeat and Contrapositive as an answer choice?

Greatly appreciate it!

[Stephanie Oswalt]

Hi mkogolo,

Thanks for your question! The problem you're referring to is from the December 1991 Prep Test #3. It's been discussed on our Forum before, so please refer to the question explanation here and read the discussion:

lsat/viewtopic.php?t=7843

Let us know if this helps!

Thanks,

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Mkogolo,

Thanks for the question! From your description of the problems you had with this one, I'm going to suggest that you do three things:

First, please go back to the start of the chapter and re-read it. Conditional reasoning is very tricky, and it's easy to get turned around by it. I think this will help clarify some of the ideas here, and will help make that explanation make more sense to you

Second, on this Forum we've written extensively about conditional reasoning, both as a general concept and about this particular problem. So, I'd advise looking at the following posts, which should help as well:

• Avoid Real World Interpretations and Follow the Language: http://forum.powerscore.com/lsat/viewto ... p=216#p216
  
  One More Look on what Sufficient and Necessary Means (this is key so that when indicators aren't present, we know what we're doing): http://forum.powerscore.com/lsat/viewto ... 6166#p6166
  
  Some thoughts on diagramming this problem: lsat/viewtopic.php?f=596&t=1973&start=12

Third, after you've completed the two steps above, take some time to read through our LSAT blog articles on conditional reasoning. We use the blog to expand on ideas and to address interesting and unusual situations, and I think you might find it nice to read small isolated sections: http://blog.powerscore.com/lsat/topic/l ... -reasoning.

That's a start, and let's see how that helps. It's not the specific question re-explanation you requested, but I don't think that's the issue here; I think we need to go back the basics first.

I look forward to hearing back from you once you work through some of these resources. Thanks!