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Critical Reasoning
Critical Reasoning
Provided by : piyusht
Aim
For example
You:
Me:
We cant go to a movie.
We dont!
Me:
You:
Me:
Key Terms
Argument
Central to every CR question is the argument. An argument is an
ordered line of reasoning composed of premises, assumptions, and
a conclusion. Understanding the elements of an argument is
essential to performing well in this section.
Premise
Each CR argument contains at least one premise. Premises are
pieces of information that provide evidence used to support the
conclusion of the argument. For the purposes of Critical Reasoning
arguments, premises are facts not subject to dispute.
Conclusion
The conclusion is the endpoint of the line of reasoning of an
argument. Think of it as the result of the argument. The line of
reasoning leading to a conclusion is often where errors in logic are
made.
Key Terms
Assumption
Assumptions are unstated facts and logical connections in an
argument. In order for the conclusion of an argument to be true, the
assumptions upon which that argument is based must also be true.
The Approach
The Approach
Critical Reasoning questions test your ability to
use basic logic to analyze and critique
arguments made up of premises and
conclusions. ETS test-makers write arguments
that assume information which doesnt exist!
A logical and consistent approach is the best
way to avoid formulaic traps.
Follow these steps each time you attack Critical
Reasoning questions.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
argument
first
is
Read the question and determine what to look for within the answer
choices.
In general, youll be looking for the answer choices that either
strengthen or weaken the argument.
Think of answer choices as additional premises. Adding any one
answer choice to the argument will do one of three things:
1.
2.
2.
3.
Strengthen
Weaken
Neutral
Out of scope
Use the Process of Error Identification to get rid of any choices that do
not affect the conclusion (neutral) or have nothing to do with the
argument whatsoever (out of scope).
Whether you eliminate strengthen or weaken answer choices depends
on the question related with that argument.
Try the following Critical Reasoning example, using five steps
Weakens
Neutral
Whats wrong with answer choice (C) ? The trigger word most is
undefined. Most is a relative term, but we dont know what its
relative to.
Theres a fatal flaw to this logic. Look back and compare this
rephrasing with the actual argument itself.
Good job!
Theres a fatal flaw to this logic. Look back and compare this
rephrasing with the actual argument itself.
Good luck!
Fire!
Weigh each
choice
carefully
before
eliminating it.
Sorry, the correct answer is (A). Lets look at this problem using
the MBA Centers five steps.
Who said the
plants in
both groups
are the
same?
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Right again!
This ones harder still
Kobayashi coffee has more caffeine than Marlowe Select coffee. But
since Chula Vista coffee has more caffeine than Valentino coffee, it
follows that Kobayashi coffee has more caffeine than Valentino coffee.
Any of the following, if introduced into the argument as an
additional premise, makes the argument above logically correct
EXCEPT?
(A) Marlowe Street coffee has more caffeine than Valentino
coffee.
(B) Marlowe Street corree has more caffeine than Chula Vista
coffee.
(C) Marlowe Street and Chula Vista coffees have the same
amount of caffeine.
(D) Kobayashi and Chula Vista coffees have the same amount of
caffeine.
(E) Chula Vista coffee has more caffeine than Kobayashi coffee.
Sorry, the correct answer is (E). Lets look at this problem using
the MBA Centers five steps.
Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Step 5:
Critical Reasoning
Got you that time!
You did well, and you only had problems with the
final difficult problem.
Critical Reasoning
Good job! You got the second wrong, but the
other two were right.
Critical Reasoning
Inference is
once logical
step away
from the
conclusion.
Critical Reasoning
Good job!
You got the first one wrong, but you pulled it
back up with two and three.
Critical Reasoning
Sorry. You got the second problem right, but the
other two were wrong.
Critical Reasoning
What can I say?
Critical Reasoning
Sorry. You got the first question right, but you
answered the next two wrong.
Critical Reasoning
Got you that time!
Well done, though.
You got four out of five right. Keep it up and
youll be on your way to Harvard!
Summary
Summary