1. Sentence Completion ✍️

Choose the word/phrase that BEST completes the sentence logically and grammatically.

Strategy: Use Context Clues

Clue Type	Signal Words	Example
Definition	is, means, refers to	"Jurisprudence, which means ___, is essential."
Contrast	but, however, although, despite	"Despite his ___, he remained calm." (Look for opposite)
Continuation	and, also, moreover, furthermore	"He was diligent and ___." (Look for similar word)
Cause-Effect	because, since, therefore, so	"Because of the evidence, the court ___."
Example	such as, for instance, like	"Legal documents, such as ___ and wills..."

💡 Two-Blank Strategy:

Determine the relationship between the blanks (same direction? opposite?)
Work with the easier blank first
Eliminate answers where ONE blank doesn't fit
Verify BOTH blanks work together

Practice Example:

"Although the witness appeared ___, the defense attorney's cross-examination revealed her testimony to be ___."

Signal: "Although" = CONTRAST expected

Answer: credible... unreliable (opposite meanings fit the contrast)

2. Error Recognition & Grammar ❌

Identify the grammatical error in the sentence. Legal writing demands perfect grammar!

Error Type	Rule	Wrong → Correct
Subject-Verb Agreement	Singular subject = singular verb	"The evidence show" → "The evidence shows"
Pronoun Agreement	Pronoun must match antecedent	"Each lawyer must do their duty" → "his or her duty"
Parallelism	Items in series must be same form	"She likes reading, writing, and to research" → "and researching"
Dangling Modifier	Modifier must clearly refer to subject	"Walking to court, the files fell" → "Walking to court, he dropped the files"
Misplaced Modifier	Modifier should be near what it modifies	"He only filed one motion" → "He filed only one motion"
Verb Tense	Maintain consistent tense	"He argued and wins" → "argued and won"
Comparison	Compare like things	"His argument is better than his opponent" → "than his opponent's"

Tricky Subject-Verb Cases:

Collective nouns: "The jury HAS (not have) reached a verdict."
Prepositional phrases: "The stack of papers IS (not are) missing." (stack = subject)
Either/Or, Neither/Nor: Verb agrees with NEARER subject. "Neither the lawyer nor the witnesses WERE present."
Each, Everyone, Nobody: Always SINGULAR. "Each of the defendants WAS represented."

3. Reading Comprehension 📖

Legal texts are dense. You need to extract meaning efficiently and accurately.

Active Reading Strategy:

Preview: Glance at questions first - know what to look for
Main Idea: What is the author's main point? (Usually in first/last paragraph)
Structure: How is the passage organized? (Problem-solution? Cause-effect? Compare-contrast?)
Tone: Is the author neutral, critical, supportive, skeptical?
Details: Note key facts, but don't memorize - know where to find them

Question Type	What It Asks	Strategy
Main Idea	Central point of passage	Check first and last paragraphs
Detail	Specific fact from passage	Scan for keywords, verify in text
Inference	What can be concluded	Must be supported by text evidence
Vocabulary	Meaning of word in context	Read surrounding sentences
Author's Purpose	Why the author wrote this	Inform, persuade, analyze, compare?
Tone/Attitude	Author's feeling about topic	Look at word choices (positive/negative)

4. Vocabulary in Legal Context 📚

Legal vocabulary is crucial for PhiLSAT. Many words have specific meanings in law.

Common Legal Terms:

Precedent: Previous case used as example
Jurisdiction: Authority to hear a case
Liability: Legal responsibility
Due process: Fair legal procedures
Adjudicate: To make a formal judgment
Statute: Written law passed by legislature
Tort: Civil wrong causing harm

Vocabulary Strategies:

Learn Latin roots (corpus, jus, lex)
Use context clues in sentence
Know prefixes: mal- (bad), bene- (good)
Know suffixes: -tion (action), -ity (state)
Build word associations

Root/Prefix	Meaning	Examples
jur-, jus-	law, right	jury, justice, jurisdiction
leg-, lex-	law	legal, legislation, legitimate
dict-	say, declare	verdict, dictate, jurisdiction
cred-	believe	credible, credential, incredible
ver-	truth	verify, verdict, veracity

5. Analogies and Word Relationships 🔗

Identify the relationship between words - a key skill for legal reasoning.

Common Analogy Types:

Relationship	Example	Explanation
Synonym	HAPPY : JOYFUL	Same meaning
Antonym	GUILTY : INNOCENT	Opposite meaning
Part : Whole	CHAPTER : BOOK	Component of larger thing
Degree	WARM : HOT	Intensity difference
Worker : Tool	LAWYER : BRIEF	Person uses object
Cause : Effect	CRIME : PUNISHMENT	One leads to another
Category : Example	FELONY : MURDER	General : Specific

Analogy Strategy:

Create a sentence describing the relationship: "A ___ is a type of ___"
Apply the same sentence pattern to answer choices
The correct answer will fit the SAME relationship

Example: JUDGE : COURTROOM :: TEACHER : ?

"A judge works in a courtroom" → "A teacher works in a ___"

Answer: CLASSROOM

6. Sentence Arrangement & Coherence 📝

Arrange sentences logically - essential for legal writing and argumentation.

Coherence Signals:

Signal Type	Words	Function
Introduction	First, Initially, To begin	Usually comes first
Addition	Furthermore, Moreover, Also	Continues previous idea
Contrast	However, Nevertheless, But	Introduces opposing idea
Cause-Effect	Therefore, Consequently, Thus	Shows result
Example	For instance, For example	Follows general statement
Conclusion	Finally, In conclusion, Therefore	Usually comes last

💡 Arrangement Tips:

Look for pronouns (he, she, it, this) - they refer to something mentioned BEFORE
Find the most general/introductory sentence - likely comes first
Conclusions with "therefore" or "thus" usually come last
Check logical flow: Definition → Example → Analysis → Conclusion

7. PhiLSAT Verbal Reasoning Tips & Practice 📝

🎯 Exam Day Strategies:

Read questions first: Know what to look for in passages
Manage time: Don't spend too long on one question
Trust context: The answer is in the passage or sentence
Eliminate wrong answers: Often easier than finding right one
Watch for absolutes: Words like "always," "never" are often wrong
Stay focused: Legal texts can be dry - maintain concentration

Practice Questions with Answers

Q1: "Although the prosecution presented ___ evidence, the defense attorney's skillful cross-examination left the jury ___."

A) weak ... convinced B) compelling ... doubtful C) flimsy ... skeptical D) strong ... persuaded

Answer: B) compelling ... doubtful. "Although" signals contrast - strong evidence BUT left jury with doubts.

Q2: Find the error: "Neither the plaintiff nor the defendants was able to provide sufficient evidence."

Answer: "was" should be "were" - with "neither...nor," the verb agrees with the NEARER subject (defendants = plural = were).

Q3: VERDICT : TRIAL :: DIAGNOSIS : ?

A) Medicine B) Examination C) Doctor D) Hospital

Answer: B) Examination. A verdict is the conclusion of a trial; a diagnosis is the conclusion of an examination.

⚠️ Common Mistakes:

Choosing answers based on general knowledge instead of passage content
Missing contrast signals (however, although, despite)
Ignoring context clues for vocabulary questions
Rushing through long reading passages
Not checking all answer options before selecting

Verbal Reasoning