Weaken - LSAT Logical Reasoning
Card 1 of 30
Which factor weakens an argument about diet effectiveness?
Which factor weakens an argument about diet effectiveness?
Tap to reveal answer
Evidence of weight gain on the diet. Opposite outcomes contradict the diet's claimed effectiveness.
Evidence of weight gain on the diet. Opposite outcomes contradict the diet's claimed effectiveness.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which logical concept is tested by 'Weaken' questions?
Which logical concept is tested by 'Weaken' questions?
Tap to reveal answer
The strength of causal relationships. Weaken questions examine whether cause-effect relationships hold up.
The strength of causal relationships. Weaken questions examine whether cause-effect relationships hold up.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the assumption weakened by: 'Not all birds fly, but all birds have wings.'
Identify the assumption weakened by: 'Not all birds fly, but all birds have wings.'
Tap to reveal answer
All birds use wings to fly. The statement shows wings don't determine flight ability.
All birds use wings to fly. The statement shows wings don't determine flight ability.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What assumption is targeted in weakening: 'People who meditate are happier.'
What assumption is targeted in weakening: 'People who meditate are happier.'
Tap to reveal answer
Meditation is the only factor in happiness. This assumes meditation is the sole cause of happiness.
Meditation is the only factor in happiness. This assumes meditation is the sole cause of happiness.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which logical concept is tested by 'Weaken' questions?
Which logical concept is tested by 'Weaken' questions?
Tap to reveal answer
The strength of causal relationships. Weaken questions examine whether cause-effect relationships hold up.
The strength of causal relationships. Weaken questions examine whether cause-effect relationships hold up.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the logical flaw: 'A causes B. C also causes B. Therefore, A causes C.'
Identify the logical flaw: 'A causes B. C also causes B. Therefore, A causes C.'
Tap to reveal answer
Confusing correlation with causation. This incorrectly assumes shared effects imply causal relationships.
Confusing correlation with causation. This incorrectly assumes shared effects imply causal relationships.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What kind of reasoning is weakened by showing exceptions?
What kind of reasoning is weakened by showing exceptions?
Tap to reveal answer
Universal generalizations. Exceptions disprove claims about all members of a group.
Universal generalizations. Exceptions disprove claims about all members of a group.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify what weakens: 'Economic growth leads to better living standards.'
Identify what weakens: 'Economic growth leads to better living standards.'
Tap to reveal answer
Data showing stagnation despite growth. Contradictory data undermines the claimed causal relationship.
Data showing stagnation despite growth. Contradictory data undermines the claimed causal relationship.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What weakens: 'Studying leads to better grades.'
What weakens: 'Studying leads to better grades.'
Tap to reveal answer
Instances of poor performance despite studying. Contradictory outcomes show studying isn't sufficient for good grades.
Instances of poor performance despite studying. Contradictory outcomes show studying isn't sufficient for good grades.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the error in: 'If A, then B. Not A, thus not B.'
Identify the error in: 'If A, then B. Not A, thus not B.'
Tap to reveal answer
Denying the antecedent. This fallacy incorrectly negates the consequent from negating the antecedent.
Denying the antecedent. This fallacy incorrectly negates the consequent from negating the antecedent.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What weakens an argument reliant on a single study?
What weakens an argument reliant on a single study?
Tap to reveal answer
Conflicting results from multiple studies. Multiple contradictory studies undermine confidence in the single study.
Conflicting results from multiple studies. Multiple contradictory studies undermine confidence in the single study.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify what weakens: 'Reading more improves vocabulary.'
Identify what weakens: 'Reading more improves vocabulary.'
Tap to reveal answer
Vocabulary improves without increased reading. This shows vocabulary can improve through other means.
Vocabulary improves without increased reading. This shows vocabulary can improve through other means.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is undermined when alternative explanations are introduced?
What is undermined when alternative explanations are introduced?
Tap to reveal answer
The argument's causal link. Alternative explanations break the assumed cause-effect relationship.
The argument's causal link. Alternative explanations break the assumed cause-effect relationship.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What weakens: 'Smoking causes lung cancer.'
What weakens: 'Smoking causes lung cancer.'
Tap to reveal answer
Cases of lung cancer in non-smokers. This shows lung cancer can occur without smoking.
Cases of lung cancer in non-smokers. This shows lung cancer can occur without smoking.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the logical flaw: 'A usually leads to B; C also leads to B; thus, A causes C.'
Identify the logical flaw: 'A usually leads to B; C also leads to B; thus, A causes C.'
Tap to reveal answer
Confusing correlation with causation. Shared outcomes don't prove causal relationships between causes.
Confusing correlation with causation. Shared outcomes don't prove causal relationships between causes.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What kind of assumption is vulnerable to being weakened?
What kind of assumption is vulnerable to being weakened?
Tap to reveal answer
Implicit assumptions. Unstated assumptions are easiest to attack since they're undefended.
Implicit assumptions. Unstated assumptions are easiest to attack since they're undefended.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the flaw in reasoning: 'All dogs are animals; therefore, all animals are dogs.'
Identify the flaw in reasoning: 'All dogs are animals; therefore, all animals are dogs.'
Tap to reveal answer
Incorrect reversal of quantifiers. This illegally reverses a universal statement's direction.
Incorrect reversal of quantifiers. This illegally reverses a universal statement's direction.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What weakens: 'Drinking water leads to better health.'
What weakens: 'Drinking water leads to better health.'
Tap to reveal answer
Evidence of poor health despite water consumption. Contradictory health outcomes undermine the claimed water benefits.
Evidence of poor health despite water consumption. Contradictory health outcomes undermine the claimed water benefits.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the common phrase indicating a 'Weaken' question type.
Identify the common phrase indicating a 'Weaken' question type.
Tap to reveal answer
'Which of the following, if true, weakens the argument?'. This standard phrasing signals you need to find what undermines the argument.
'Which of the following, if true, weakens the argument?'. This standard phrasing signals you need to find what undermines the argument.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which element is most likely targeted to weaken an argument?
Which element is most likely targeted to weaken an argument?
Tap to reveal answer
The assumption underlying the argument. Attacking unstated assumptions is the most effective way to weaken arguments.
The assumption underlying the argument. Attacking unstated assumptions is the most effective way to weaken arguments.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What type of evidence typically weakens an argument?
What type of evidence typically weakens an argument?
Tap to reveal answer
Contradictory or counterexample evidence. Evidence that opposes or disproves the conclusion weakens the argument.
Contradictory or counterexample evidence. Evidence that opposes or disproves the conclusion weakens the argument.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which logical aspect is often targeted in weakening arguments?
Which logical aspect is often targeted in weakening arguments?
Tap to reveal answer
Causality between premises and conclusion. Causal connections are vulnerable when alternative explanations exist.
Causality between premises and conclusion. Causal connections are vulnerable when alternative explanations exist.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Find the critical flaw in this reasoning: 'All cats are mammals; therefore, all mammals are cats.'
Find the critical flaw in this reasoning: 'All cats are mammals; therefore, all mammals are cats.'
Tap to reveal answer
Incorrect reversal of a statement. This reverses the logical relationship - universal to particular doesn't work backwards.
Incorrect reversal of a statement. This reverses the logical relationship - universal to particular doesn't work backwards.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which term describes evidence that contradicts a conclusion?
Which term describes evidence that contradicts a conclusion?
Tap to reveal answer
Rebuttal evidence. Rebuttal evidence directly opposes the argument's conclusion.
Rebuttal evidence. Rebuttal evidence directly opposes the argument's conclusion.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
How do 'Weaken' questions differ from 'Strengthen' questions?
How do 'Weaken' questions differ from 'Strengthen' questions?
Tap to reveal answer
'Weaken' questions undermine, while 'Strengthen' questions support. They have opposite goals - one attacks, the other defends the argument.
'Weaken' questions undermine, while 'Strengthen' questions support. They have opposite goals - one attacks, the other defends the argument.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What reasoning error is present in: 'If it rains, the ground gets wet. The ground is wet, so it must have rained.'
What reasoning error is present in: 'If it rains, the ground gets wet. The ground is wet, so it must have rained.'
Tap to reveal answer
Affirming the consequent. This fallacy assumes if B then A, when only if A then B was established.
Affirming the consequent. This fallacy assumes if B then A, when only if A then B was established.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which logical fallacy involves assuming a cause from correlation?
Which logical fallacy involves assuming a cause from correlation?
Tap to reveal answer
Post hoc ergo propter hoc. This fallacy mistakes temporal sequence for causation.
Post hoc ergo propter hoc. This fallacy mistakes temporal sequence for causation.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What type of information weakens a generalization?
What type of information weakens a generalization?
Tap to reveal answer
A counterexample. One exception can disprove a universal claim.
A counterexample. One exception can disprove a universal claim.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a common method to weaken a causal argument?
What is a common method to weaken a causal argument?
Tap to reveal answer
Presenting an alternative cause. Showing another cause reduces confidence in the original causal claim.
Presenting an alternative cause. Showing another cause reduces confidence in the original causal claim.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the logical error: 'If A, then B. Not A, therefore not B.'
Identify the logical error: 'If A, then B. Not A, therefore not B.'
Tap to reveal answer
Denying the antecedent. This fallacy incorrectly concludes not B from not A.
Denying the antecedent. This fallacy incorrectly concludes not B from not A.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →