Except and Least Identify the Question Stem Mini-Drill

Each of the following items contains a question stem from a recent LSAT
question. In the space provided, categorize each stem into one of the thirteen
Logical Reasoning Question Types: Must Be True, Main Point, Point at Issue,
Assumption, Justify the Conclusion, Strengthen, Resolve the Paradox,
Weaken, Method of Reasoning, Flaw in the Reasoning, Parallel Reasoning,
Evaluate the Argument, or Cannot be True, and notate any Except (X)
identifier you see. Answers on Page 63
1. Question Stem: “Each of the following, if true, supports the claim above
EXCEPT:”
Question Type: _______________________________________________
2. Question Stem: “Each of the following, if true, weakens the argument
EXCEPT:”
Question Type: _______________________________________________
3. Question Stem: “Which one of the following, if all of them are true, is
LEAST helpful in establishing that the conclusion above is properly
drawn?”
Question Type: _______________________________________________
4. Question Stem: “Each of the following describes a flaw in the
psychologist’s reasoning EXCEPT:”
Question Type: _______________________________________________
5. Question Stem: “Which one of the following, if true, does NOT help to
resolve the apparent discrepancy between the safety report and the city’s
public safety record?”
Question Type: _______________________________________________
6. Question Stem: “If the statements above are true, each of the following
could be true EXCEPT:”
Question Type: _______________________________________________
Except and Least Identify The Question Stem Mini-Drill Answer Key:

1. Question Type: StrengthenX
Stem drawn from the October 2003 LSAT. The four incorrect answer choices
Strengthen the argument; the correct answer choice does not Strengthen the
argument.
2. Question Type: WeakenX
Stem drawn from the December 2002 LSAT. The four incorrect answer
choices Weaken the argument; the correct answer choice does not Weaken the
argument.
3. Question Type: StrengthenX
Stem drawn from the December 2003 LSAT. The four incorrect answer
choices Strengthen the argument (“helpful in establishing the conclusion” is
the same as Strengthen); the correct answer choice does not Strengthen the
argument. The “LEAST” in the stem functions in the same fashion as
“EXCEPT.”
4. Question Type: FlawX
Stem drawn from the October 2000 LSAT. The four incorrect answer choices
describe a Flaw in the Reasoning; the correct answer choice does not describe
a Flaw in the Reasoning.
5. Question Type: ResolveX
Stem drawn from the June 2002 LSAT. Although this question stem uses
neither “except” nor “least,” the use of the word “NOT” indicates that the four
incorrect answer choices Resolve the Paradox and the correct answer choice
does not Resolve the Paradox. Hence, this question is classified ResolveX.
6. Question Type: Cannot Be True
Stem drawn from the October 2003 LSAT. As noted earlier, when the “could
be true EXCEPT” construction appears, the question will be classified as
Cannot Be True. This is because the four incorrect answers are Could Be True,
and the remaining answer choice is the opposite—Cannot Be True.