NTS NAT-IA Logical Reasoning Syllabus

Logical Reasoning syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Logical Reasoning in NTS NAT-IA, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Arguments

   5 topics

   • Identifying Premises and Conclusions
   • Strengthening Arguments
   • Weakening Arguments
   • Assumptions
   • Flaws in Reasoning
2. 2

   Inferences and Conclusions

   3 topics

   • Drawing Valid Inferences
   • Logical Deduction
   • Course of Action
3. 3

   Syllogisms

   3 topics

   • Categorical Statements
   • Venn Diagram Method
   • Valid and Invalid Conclusions
4. 4

   Critical Reasoning

   3 topics

   • Statement and Assumptions
   • Statement and Conclusions
   • Statement and Arguments

Logical Reasoning flashcards for NTS NAT-IA

19 of 51 cards from the Logical Reasoning deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. In an argument, what is a premise?

   A premise is a statement offered as evidence or reason that supports or leads to the conclusion. It is the 'given' information the argument is built on.

2. In an argument, what is a conclusion?

   The conclusion is the main claim the argument is trying to establish or prove. It is the point that the premises are intended to support.

3. What 'indicator' words typically signal a premise?

   Words such as because, since, for, as, given that, due to, owing to, and 'the reason is' usually introduce a premise.

4. What indicator words typically signal a conclusion?

   Words such as therefore, thus, hence, so, consequently, as a result, it follows that, and 'this shows that' usually introduce a conclusion.

5. What is the quickest test to distinguish a premise from a conclusion?

   Ask 'What is the author trying to prove?' (the conclusion) and 'What reasons are given for it?' (the premises). The conclusion is what the rest of the statement supports.

6. To strengthen an argument, what must a statement do?

   It must provide additional evidence or close a gap that makes the conclusion more likely to follow from the premises (it supports the link between premise and conclusion).

7. What is the most common way to strengthen an argument that relies on an assumption?

   Affirm or confirm that the underlying assumption is true, removing doubt about the premise-to-conclusion link.

8. Does new evidence that rules out an alternative explanation strengthen or weaken an argument?

   It strengthens the argument, because eliminating rival explanations makes the author's conclusion more likely to be the correct one.

9. To weaken an argument, what must a statement do?

   It must attack the connection between the premises and the conclusion, usually by showing the assumption is false or by offering an alternative explanation.

10. What is the strongest single way to weaken an argument built on an assumption?

    Show that the assumption is false, since the conclusion depends on that assumption holding true.

11. Name three classic methods of weakening an argument.

    (1) Provide a counterexample, (2) offer an alternative cause/explanation, and (3) attack the representativeness of the evidence or sample.

12. In Logical Reasoning, what is an 'assumption'?

    An assumption is an unstated premise the author takes for granted; it is a missing link required for the conclusion to follow from the stated premises.

13. What is the 'Negation Test' (Assumption Negation Test) used for?

    To check a necessary assumption: negate the candidate statement. If negating it makes the argument fall apart, it is a required assumption; if the argument survives, it is not.

14. What is the difference between a necessary assumption and a sufficient assumption?

    A necessary assumption must be true for the argument to work (the argument fails without it); a sufficient assumption, if added, would by itself guarantee the conclusion.

15. What is a 'flaw' (fallacy) in reasoning?

    A flaw is a defect in the logical structure of an argument that makes the conclusion fail to follow from the premises, even if the premises are true.

16. Define the 'correlation vs. causation' flaw.

    It is wrongly concluding that because two things occur together (are correlated), one must cause the other, ignoring coincidence, reverse causation, or a third common cause.

17. What is a circular reasoning (begging the question) flaw?

    It is an argument in which the conclusion is assumed within the premises, so the argument essentially restates its claim instead of proving it.

18. What is the 'ad hominem' fallacy?

    Attacking the person making the argument rather than addressing the substance of the argument itself.

19. What is a hasty generalization?

    Drawing a broad conclusion about a whole group from a sample that is too small or unrepresentative.

See more Logical Reasoning flashcards →

Planning Logical Reasoning for NTS NAT-IA

Logical Reasoning (NTS NAT-IA) FAQ