Weak Answers v Strong Answers

[lsatkid26]

Hey guys
What does it mean when we are told to look for weak answer choices? For example, in Inference questions I have read to look for weak answers and stay away from stronger answers. Could someone please provide me with a list of words indicating strong and weak answers?

Thanks

[ohthatpatrick]

The most obvious strong language cues are absolutes:
All, always, any, each, every, whenever
No, none, never, cannot,

Anything conditional is strongly worded, so we also look out for all the conditional trigger words:
if, then, only, only if, unless, requires, ensures, guarantees, necessitates

But the category that students frequently don't realize is ALSO very strong and potentially dangerous is paraphrases of "most":
most, a majority, generally, typically, usually, probably, likely, tends to

You also would be concerned about ideas that rank something above other things:
main, primary, primarily, most important

Finally, this isn't really STRONG language but still "Red Flag" language, you want to be very cautious about making comparisons:
more, better, stronger, less, healthier, etc.

You want to be concerned about making value judgments if you've only read facts:
should, ought

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By contrast, weak language is basically just expressing that something exists or is possible.
can, may, might, could, at least, some, sometimes

Whenever you rule out something extreme, it's also very weak and safe:
not all, not always, not necessarily, need not

Quick contrast:
She is not capable of sounding intelligent. (STRONG idea)
She is not always capable of sounding intelligent (WEAK idea)

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The context for being on guard against extreme language is mainly
Inference, Necessary Assumption, and most Reading Comp questions

By contrast, the times when you WANT stronger language, if possible are
Sufficient Assumption, Strengthen, Weaken, Explain a Paradox, Principle Support

i.e., all the question stems that say
"Which of the following, if true / if assumed / if valid ...."

Hope this helps.