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