Mastering LSAT Reading Comprehension: Application and Analogy Questions
LSAT Reading Comprehension (RC) passages test your ability to understand complex texts, identify main ideas, and infer relationships between concepts. Among the question types, Application and Analogy questions require you to extend your understanding of the passage's concepts to new scenarios. This module will equip you with strategies to tackle these challenging question types.
Understanding Application Questions
Application questions ask you to use information or principles from the passage to evaluate a new situation. This could involve identifying which statement is most consistent with a theory presented in the passage, or determining how a new piece of evidence would affect an argument made in the text. The key is to identify the core principle or argument from the passage and then see how it applies to the new scenario presented in the question stem.
The ability to transfer knowledge and principles from the passage to a new, hypothetical situation.
Strategies for Application Questions
Here's a systematic approach to tackle application questions:
Loading diagram...
Understanding Analogy Questions
Analogy questions ask you to identify a situation or argument that is structurally similar to one presented in the passage. This means the underlying logic, relationship between components, or pattern of reasoning should be the same, even if the subject matter is different. You're not looking for a situation with similar content, but one with a similar form or function.
Application questions test the transfer of principles to a new scenario, while Analogy questions test the recognition of a similar logical structure or pattern.
Strategies for Analogy Questions
Here's a step-by-step approach for analogy questions:
| Step | Application Questions | Analogy Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Identify core principles, theories, or arguments. | Identify the logical structure, relationship, or pattern of reasoning. |
| Understand the new scenario presented. | Understand the new scenario presented. |
| Map elements of the new scenario to passage principles. | Map elements of the new scenario to the passage's logical structure. |
| Find the choice that best reflects the application of passage ideas. | Find the choice with a structurally identical relationship or pattern. |
Remember: For analogy questions, the form of the argument or situation is more important than the content.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Be wary of answer choices that share superficial similarities with the passage but lack the correct logical connection. For application questions, avoid answers that merely restate a concept from the passage without applying it to the new scenario. For analogy questions, steer clear of choices that use similar vocabulary or subject matter but have a different underlying logic.
Consider the following abstract representation of a cause-and-effect relationship: Passage: [Cause A] leads to [Effect B]. Application Question: If [Cause A'] occurs, what is the likely outcome? Analogy Question: Which of the following scenarios best mirrors the relationship between [Cause A] and [Effect B]? The key is to recognize that 'Cause A' and 'Cause A'' might be different, but the process of causation is what's being tested in application. In analogy, the structure of 'X leads to Y' is what matters, regardless of what X and Y are.
Text-based content
Library pages focus on text content
Learning Resources
This blog post from PowerScore provides a detailed breakdown of application questions, including strategies and examples specific to the LSAT.
Manhattan Prep offers insights into identifying and solving analogy questions in LSAT Reading Comprehension, focusing on structural similarity.
Kaplan's strategy guide covers various LSAT RC question types, including application and analogy, with actionable advice.
This resource offers practice questions for LSAT India's Reading Comprehension section, allowing you to apply learned strategies.
A comprehensive overview of different LSAT RC question types, with specific sections dedicated to application and analogy questions.
A video tutorial that walks through the process of tackling LSAT Reading Comprehension application questions with clear explanations.
This video focuses on the nuances of LSAT analogy questions, providing examples and strategies for identifying structural similarities.
Beat the LSAT provides a detailed explanation of application questions, emphasizing how to correctly transfer concepts from the passage.
LSAT Ninjas offers a clear and concise guide to understanding and solving analogy questions in LSAT Reading Comprehension.
The Princeton Review offers general strategies and practice tips for LSAT Reading Comprehension, which can be applied to application and analogy questions.