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IMAT Logical Reasoning · Critical Thinking

Matching Structures and Applying Principles

Strip an argument down to its skeleton or its general rule, then find the option that shares it on a different topic.

All Critical Thinking notes

Why this matters

Principle questions were asked 8 times and matching-structure questions 3 times, all in the Cambridge papers from 2015 to 2022. Both reward the same habit: ignoring the topic and comparing the shape of the reasoning.

Concept 1 of 2: Matching arguments with the same structure

Two arguments about completely different things can have exactly the same shape. Replace the topic words with letters and the shape appears. The right option has the same skeleton, including the same mistake if the original is flawed.

Definition

Method for 'which one most closely parallels the reasoning':

  • Step 1: rewrite the original with letters, for example 'All A are B. x is not B. So x is not A.'
  • Step 2: note the type of conclusion (certain, probable, a recommendation) and whether the reasoning is valid or flawed.
  • Step 3: rewrite each option the same way and compare skeletons, never topics.
  • Statements may come in a different order and still match; 'all' and 'every' are the same; 'all' and 'most' are not.
  • If the original is flawed, a valid option is wrong, however close its topic.

Worked example

Original: 'All the plants in this greenhouse are watered every day. This cactus is not watered every day. So this cactus is not in this greenhouse.' Which matches: (a) 'All the trains on this line stop at Verona. This train stops at Verona, so it is on this line.' (b) 'Every member of the choir can read music. Tom cannot read music, so Tom is not in the choir.' (c) 'Every member of the choir can read music. Sara is not in the choir, so she cannot read music.'
Practice this conceptself-check · 3 quick reps

Matching the topic is not matching the structure

IMAT often gives one option on a topic close to the original's (health for health, school for school) with a different shape. Topic is irrelevant here. Only the skeleton, the strength of the claims and the validity count.

Concept 2 of 2: Identifying and applying the principle behind an argument

A principle is the general rule behind a particular recommendation. Find it by removing the particular people, places and things, so that only the rule is left. Then look for the option where the same rule gives the same kind of conclusion in a new setting.

Definition

A principle is a general rule or value which, applied to the case in the passage, gives its conclusion.

  • Step 1: find the conclusion and the main reason for it.
  • Step 2: write the rule with no names: 'Anyone who ... should ...', or 'It is wrong to ... when ...'.
  • Step 3: for 'which illustrates the principle', choose the option where the same rule applies and points the same way.
  • Reject options on the same topic that follow a different rule, and rules so broad that they leave out the conditions the argument depends on.
  • Principles are often about fairness, responsibility, harm, cost against benefit, or setting an example.

Worked example

'The restaurant was right to list every allergen in its dishes on the menu, even though only a few customers have allergies. People who could be seriously harmed by a hidden ingredient cannot protect themselves unless they are told about it, and the cost of telling them is small.' State the principle, then pick the option that illustrates it: (a) a gym should put up a sign beside a newly washed, slippery floor; (b) a shop should lower its prices to attract more customers; (c) a school should ban all nuts from its kitchen.
Practice this conceptself-check · 3 quick reps

Same topic, different principle

IMAT likes an option on the passage's own subject that follows a different rule (banning instead of warning, profit instead of fairness). Write the rule in general words first, then check that the option fits all of it, conditions included.

Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance

A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.

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