HOW TO PREPARE FOR LOGICAL REASONING SECTION

Welcome back to my blog. In this post, I will be primarily focusing on a section that had harrowed me in the initial stages of preparation and continues to trouble several CLAT aspirants- LOGICAL REASONING.

According to the Consortium of NLUs, the logical reasoning section in CLAT 2024 consisted of short passages that were about 450 words long. However, these passages are liable to cause a lot of confusion and dilemma to the aspirants.

 Let us delve into some common questions regarding this section. Also, I will try to give you some questions you can ask yourself while attempting the section I hope these cues will help you align your thinking better.

1.      What are the common question stems?

The following are the common lines of questioning –

·        Identify the main argument presented in the passage.

·        Identify the premise and conclusion from the passage.

·        Strengthening and weakening of an argument.

·        Drawing inferences from the given passage.

2.      How to go about the main argument question stem?

I think a meme would simplify this question manifold.

Exactly… KEHNA KYA CHAHTE HO? When you are reading the passage mentally question the author. What is the author actually trying to establish through the 450 words on the paper? That, ladies and gentlemen is your main argument. The main argument is the main idea and the reason behind the piece that you are reading. Try to get the essence of what is being said. You need not know the meaning of each and every word in the passage (knowing it would not hurt, tho.). Contextual meaning could save the day. Look at the bigger picture instead of the minute details. The main idea questions get much easier if you align your thought process this way.

3.      How to identify the Premise?

Every construction needs a base. The premise is what the passage is constructed on. Be a detective. Skim through the passage and see what did the author base their argument upon. Is it a fact? Is it a newspaper article? Is it some other event? What is the author’s base? What provoked the author to write this piece? There you go, that’s the premise for you.

The best thing about these passages is that the answer is hidden within it. You just need to pin point on it. Try asking yourself these questions as you attempt a passage.

PRO TIP: The correct option is often a paraphrased line from the passage that gives the same meaning. Look for it.

4.      Where is the conclusion?

Look through the author’s eyes. What is his/her suggestion for the problem he has discussed through this passage? What does he/she want? There lies the conclusion. Summarize what you just read and try to give your own concluding statement. Is there any line from the passage that means the same? Then that’s your answer.

PRO TIP: LOOK FOR WORDS LIKE THEREFORE, HENCE, AT LAST, SO. These words indicate the conclusion.

 How to look for inferences?

Read between the lines. This is not any extra knowledge of information that you need to apply. What can you draw from what has been already told to you? Again, think like a detective. The passage has told you something. What can you derive from it. What was that unseen message the author didn’t put in words but wants you to find? Answering these questions will aid you as you look for inferences.

6.      How to strengthen or weaken an argument?

Be a lawyer.

The author is your client. How will you defend him/her? Which argument will prove your stance is the most correct and is irrefutable? Thinking on these lines will lead you to the correct answer in strengthening the argument questions.

Now imagine, the author is your opposition. Think of how you can disprove him/ her and prove yourself correct?  Look through the options. Which one would disprove the author’s stance? That is how you can choose the correct answer in weakening the argument questions.

These are a few lines of questioning that can help you approach the logical reasoning section in a more prepared and organized manner.

Do feel free to reach out to me in the comments section if you need any help or have any doubts.