Role Questions

[kattheknife]

I am taking the LSAT on the 21st for the first time, and I'm trying to shore up some of my weaker areas in LR since I feel like I have the best chance at correcting these issues within the next two weeks as opposed to mastering every circular logic game (laughing and crying at the same time).

I really struggle with role questions I get so bent out of shape when I see them that everything becomes a gamble. For example on PT 78, Section 3, questions 17 & 19 (one about Jupiter, b/c LSAC is obsessed with space for some reason, and the other about legal systems remaining just) have been two questions that I never get right no matter how many times I retake that PT. For Q19, I always select D instead of B, and Q17 on three separate PTs I picked E, then E again, and then A. So I have some continuity errors. I'm not sure if this is a gap in my understanding of what the terms mean, like subsidiary or principle (in terms of how it used in these questions), or if it's something else?

If anyone has any resources on how to tackle these questions this late in the game that they'd be willing to share that would be great! I've checked out the PS blog posting from 2017 which was helpful, but if there is anything else, I'd love to see it. Thanks!

[Dave Killoran]

Hi Kat,

Thanks for the question! Role questions are all about recognizing argument structure, plus the abstract description that LSAC uses to describe that role. Neither of the questions you reference are easy, but at the same time the term usages here are fairly standard when you look at the history of these questions. So, I'd recommend that you go back and focus on argument pieces and argument structure versus strictly method or role questions. You want to shore up your knowledge not just of terms like subsidiary conclusion and principle, but also what conclusions are, etc (because in #17, for example, the first sentence is clearly a premise, and so the second sentence which is based on it must be a conclusion of some sort).

To get that knowledge, I wouldn't rely on blog articles (not comprehensive enough)—you need our Logical Reasoning Bible, and to dive into Chapter 2 there.

Thanks!

[kattheknife]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the response! Super helpful!

I have the LR Bible so I will reread Chapter Two today and try to see if I can strengthen those areas.

Thanks again for your response!

Kat