This blog is a part of the “Approach Question Type” series and like all articles in this series will focus on step 4 of the “Analyze Stimulus” step. If you need a refresher on how to approach LR questions generally, make sure to check up on our blog "How to Approach the Logical Reasoning Section.”
Table of Contents:
MC questions on the LSAT are designed to test your ability to identify the primary point or claim that an argument is trying to establish. These questions ask you to determine the main conclusion or the central assertion that the author is trying to convey. The skills you develop in answering MC questions will be used throughout the entire LR section! If we were to suggest one question to master first, it would be MC questions.
In our blog "How to Approach the Logical Reasoning Section”, under the section “What is an argument” we discussed the flow of support. Quick refresher: The flow of support is the direction in which the premise(s) lead toward the argument’s main conclusion.
In the LSAT, premises are statements that we accept as true. On the other hand, we should always question the validity of Main Conclusion statements. Depending on how strong the support of the argument is, we are more or less likely to believe in the argument.
Main conclusion questions typically have clear and specific wording that indicates you need to find the main point of the argument. Common phrasings for the question stem include:
Also note: The answer choices will often be verbatim or very closely worded statements directly taken from the stimulus. The MC can also be anywhere in the stimulus: the first sentence, last sentence, or somewhere in the middle. So don’t be trapped into assuming it’s always the final sentence!
Within the stimulus, there may also be certain words or phrases that often signal the conclusion. Below is not an exhaustive list. As well, these words do NOT guarantee the conclusion, especially as the difficulty of questions go up – in some cases, signal words can even be traps! But it’s important to know what conclusion indicators look like to be aware of the argument structure. These include:
MC questions are descriptive-type questions as opposed to analytical ones. Basically, we do not need to add new information or provide context outside of what is contained in the stimulus. The goal of an MC question is simply to point out, of what is already in front of us, which statement is the author’s conclusion.
To approach MC questions, we will ask Why, and then answer with a Because.
Why & Because: The most important question you must ask yourself to find the MC is to ask the "Why?" Question. Try to determine which statement is being supported by other statements. Ask yourself, "Why should I believe this statement?" If you can answer this question by saying because of the other premise statements in the passage, you have likely found the conclusion.
You can then reconstruct the argument to make it logically sound. Why should I believe statement X? Because of premise(s) and reason Y. Because Y, therefore X. Being able to reconstruct and summarize the argument in your own words, repeating it back to yourself to double-check it logically makes sense is a good final checkpoint to ensure that you’ve pinpointed the MC correctly.
When you ask the “Why” question for each statement, you might notice that one statement supports another statement, which further supports a final statement.
Consider the figure below:
Statement (A) -> Statement (B) -> Statement (C - final statement).
In this figure, Statement B would be called a “sub-conclusion” or “intermediate conclusion” because this statement receives support from Statement A yet also supports Statement C.
A sub-conclusion (or intermediate conclusion) is a statement within an argument that functions as both a conclusion and a premise. It is supported by other premises and, in turn, supports the main conclusion of the argument. Think of it as a logical bridge between the initial premises and the final conclusion, facilitating a more complex argument structure.
A Sub-conclusion thus has a dual role:
In example 2 below, we will show an example of a SC.
Let’s go through some practice with simple arguments.
Stimulus: Regular exercise reduces stress and improves mood. People should engage in physical activity regularly to maintain their mental well-being.
Here are the statements divided up:
Let’s do our Why & Because:
Ask the "Why?" Question for each option:
Option 1: Should I believe that (1) regular exercise reduces stress and improves mood because (2) people should engage in physical activity regularly to maintain their mental health?
OR
Option 2: Should I believe that (2) people should engage in physical activity regularly to maintain their mental health because (1) regular exercise reduces stress and improves mood?
The flow of support suggests that statement (1) supports statement (2).
Stimulus: Volunteering has numerous benefits for individuals. It helps people develop new skills, build professional networks, and enhance their resumes. Moreover, it provides a sense of fulfillment and community involvement. Therefore, high schools should require students to complete a certain number of volunteer hours before graduation.
Statements:
Ask the "Why?" Question for each statement:
Answer
Did you happen to catch which statement was the sub-conclusion? The answer is statement 1! Statement 1 "Volunteering has numerous benefits for individuals” receives support from statement 2 and 3, but it also gives us a reason to believe the conclusion that high schools should require mandatory volunteer hours because it has numerous benefits for individuals. What are those benefits? That’s the support of statements 2 and 3 flowing to the sub-conclusion of statement 1. Statements 1-3 all flow to support the main conclusion of statement 4.
Mastering conclusion questions on the LSAT is essential for demonstrating a clear understanding of argument structures. These questions require you to identify the primary assertion that an argument seeks to establish, distinguishing it from premises and sub-conclusions that provide support along the way. By recognizing common indicator words, understanding the flow of logical reasoning, and employing techniques such as the "ask why" and “because” method, you can efficiently pinpoint the main conclusion. As mentioned earlier, the skills you develop in answering MC questions will be used throughout the entire LR section and should be one of the question types you obtain full mastery of.
