Logical Reasoning Question Types-Standard
Logical reasoning (arguments) standard problems can work very similarly to argument enhancement problems. The basic structure of logical reasoning (arguments) standard problems is that a standard or principle is established and this standard dictates that whatever falls within its purview should be evaluated based upon how the standard operates. To illustrate this concept, consider the following example:
All candy bars that exceed 6 ounces are too caloric and not appropriate for children's snacks.
The above statement sets up a standard that any candy bar that exceeds the designated weight is not appropriate for a child's snack. It is important for the examinee to understand that the accuracy or the validity of the various standards posed by examiners is not to be questioned. That is not the purpose of logical reasoning (arguments) standard problems, as the question stems will clearly indicate.
There are two primary styles of logical reasoning (arguments) standard problems that the examinee will confront on the LSAT. The first type of standard problem is the type that provides the examinee with a passage that presents a particular circumstance. The question stem will then direct the examinee to choose the most appropriate standard/principal/generalization, etc. that best supports or justifies the scenario. Consider the following example:
A federal sales tax would not effectively replace the current income tax because such a sales tax would lead to growth in an underground economy and increase the power and influence of organized crime.
If the standard problem asks the examinee to identify the standard or principle that would best support the provided statement, the examinee should first identify the components of the passage and then apply the various answer choices to the passage. In this case, the standard would probably say something to the effect that any potential solution to a problem that leads to increased crime should not be utilized. Of course, the examinee must be aware that examiners will use a great deal of flowery verbiage to try to confuse the issue.
In the second type of standard problem, the examinee is asked to identify the answer choice that best conforms to the principle provided in the passage (Note that the problem could be inverted such that the examinee is asked to identify the answer choice that contains the principle that conforms to the situation described in the passage). Consider the following example:
No institution should undertake an activity that is not directly in line with the single most important purpose of that institution.
This particularly strict standard could have any number of answers. For example, consider this selection:
Sports have no place on college campuses because schools primarily exist to educate students.
Despite what the examinee might think of the principle or the answer choice, this would be an appropriate match. Revisiting the previous passage, it establishes that any endeavor not in line with its primary purpose is unjustified. This answer selection mirrors the standard produced by the passage, therefore, it serves as a viable option.
Logical Reasoning Question Format
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Overview
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Supposition
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Argument Enhancement/Reduction
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Error Identification
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Error Correction
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Inference
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Divergence
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Process
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Standard
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Parallel Reasoning
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Underlying Issue
Logical Reasoning Question Types-Purpose