One of the many challenges people face while studying for the LSAT is the vocabulary used. The LSAT frequently uses abstract language or uses terms such as 'few' and 'many' in very specific ways that might not be in line with how we are used to interpreting them in everyday life. In this post, we will discuss LSAT vocabulary that is frequently used and often costs students several points, so that you can make sure to avoid common traps employed by the LSAT.
"Confuses" & "Ambiguous use of a key term"
These phrases frequently show up in the answer choices for Flaw questions. Consider the following scenario: if someone says, "Sorry, I confused you for someone else" that means they thought you were someone else. Similarly, if the LSAT says the author confuses two things, that means the author assumed they are the same. For example, if the answer choice said, "the author confuses correlation with causation", that means the author treated a correlative claim as if it was a causal claim.
"Ambiguous use of a key term" is also frequently used to describe the author assuming two things are the same. However, it is slightly different because this phrase describes when the exact same word is employed in two different ways. For example, consider the following argument:
"This chair has sentimental value. Therefore, it has high value in the marketplace."
Notice the term "value" is used in two different ways. In the premise, it is used in the sense of sentimental value, whereas in the conclusion it is being used to indicate value in terms of price. This is just one example of how a term can be used ambiguously on the LSAT.
| Key Takeaways: "Confuses" means the author is illicitly assuming two different things are the same. "Ambiguous use of a term" means the author is using the same term in two different ways.
"Takes for granted", "Presumes", & "Presupposes"
All three of these phrases are used interchangeably on the LSAT, and they often appear in both the question stem and answer choices.
For example, you may see answer choices like "The argument is flawed because it presumes that", or answer choices that say, "The argument takes for granted that..."
In either case, these terms are meant to indicate assumptions. Specifically, these terms should describe the Necessary Assumption of the argument.
It's also worth noting that an assumption is an unstated, unwarranted premise linking the premise to conclusion. Therefore, assumptions do not have explicit support. Phrases like "presumes, without providing justification" simply mean the author assumes without providing support, which means the same as simply saying "presumes".
| Key Takeaway: "Takes for granted", "presumes", and "presupposes" mean "Necessary Assumption"
"Few" & "Rarely"
These are two terms that should also be added to your LSAT vocab list. Words like "few" and "rarely" are often mistakenly confused with "some", but these terms have important differences on the LSAT.
On the LSAT, "few" and "rarely" mean "Most are not but some are". This is an important distinction, because "some" by itself means "anything greater than zero", so it could include "all", whereas "most are not" prevents that possibility.
For instance, if we had the statement "Few cats are friendly", that means "Most cats are unfriendly, but some are".
| Key Takeaway: "Few" and "Rarely" mean "Most are not but some are"
"Justify"
"Justify" is a vocabulary term that can mean two different things depending on the context. "Justify" can mean "prove" or "should". As a general rule of thumb, this term will mean "prove" in the question stem and will generally mean "should" when it is used in the passage. For example, if the question asks, "Which one of the following, if true, justifies the conclusion above?" you are being asked to prove the conclusion. On the other hand, if the conclusion states that a certain action is justified, the author is concluding that the action should be done.
| Key Takeaway: If you are asked to justify something, you are being asked to prove it. If the passage states that something is justified, that means it should happen.
"Hypothesis"
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation of information or data provided. On the LSAT, hypotheses will typically be conclusions. Here is an example argument:
"Studies show that the average attention span has been decreasing as the use of smart phones has increased. We can conclude that smart phones are making people more less focused."
The conclusion here is a hypothesis, because it is trying to explain how the inverse correlation between attention and smart phone usage came to be.
| Key Takeaway: A hypothesis is a proposed explanation and is typically used to signify a conclusion.
"Many" vs "Most"
Students often misinterpret "many" to mean "most" on the LSAT, which can lead to inaccuracies.
It's important to understand that "many" is a vague term and typically can be treated in the same way as "some", though it depends on the context. Suppose someone claimed they ran into many celebrities today. Some people may consider even just two celebrities to be many, because they are rare. On the other hand, "most" requires a much larger amount to be satisfied.
| Key Takeaway: "Many" on the LSAT means "at least two", including the possibility of all. "Most" means "greater than half", which also includes the possibility of all.
"Evaluate"
Questions will often ask you to evaluate the reasoning of the argument. This means you are being asked to determine whether the reasoning is valid. In other words, you are being asked to determine if the conclusion must be true if the premises are true. If the premises do not definitively prove the conclusion, it is an invalid argument.
| Key Takeaway: "Evaluate" means to determine whether the conclusion is proven by the premises.
"Phenomenon"
A phenomenon is just a fancy way of saying "something happened". Whenever you see this word, you can simply replace it with "event".
| Key Takeaway: "Phenomenon" is intended to indicate any event.
Conclusion:
Mastering LSAT vocabulary is essential for avoiding common traps that can cost you valuable points. Understanding key phrases such as "confuses two different meanings", rand "takes for granted", and knowing how terms like "few," "many," and "most" function in LSAT logic will give you a strategic edge. Similarly, grasping the meaning of "hypothesis", "presumes without justification", and "evaluate" will help you analyze arguments with greater precision. Remember, "many" does not necessarily mean "most" on the LSAT, and small differences in wording can have significant logical consequences. By familiarizing yourself with these terms, you'll be better prepared to navigate the LSAT with confidence and accuracy.
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