LNAT Clarity and Precision in Writing 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which revision best eliminates the ambiguity in: 'The attorney told his client he needed to prepare for trial.'?
- The attorney told his client that someone needed to prepare for trial.
- The attorney said, 'You need to prepare for trial,' to his client. (Correct answer)
- The attorney informed his client that the attorney needed to prepare for trial.
- The attorney and his client discussed trial preparation needs.
Correct answer: The attorney said, 'You need to prepare for trial,' to his client.
Using direct speech removes the ambiguity over whose trial preparation is required.
Question 2: A sentence contains a 'dangling modifier.' What is the primary problem this creates?
- The sentence becomes unnecessarily long and wordy.
- The modifier logically describes a word not actually present in the sentence. (Correct answer)
- The sentence uses passive voice where active voice is preferred.
- The modifier is placed too far from the noun it modifies.
Correct answer: The modifier logically describes a word not actually present in the sentence.
A dangling modifier has no logical subject in the sentence to attach to, creating confusion about what is being described.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a 'false precision' error in legal writing?
- The contract expires on December 31, 2025.
- The defendant arrived at approximately 9:00 a.m. (Correct answer)
- The statute was enacted in 1987.
- The payment shall be exactly $10,000.00.
Correct answer: The defendant arrived at approximately 9:00 a.m.
Saying 'approximately 9:00 a.m.' combines an approximation qualifier with a precise time, which is contradictory.
Question 4: In the sentence 'The new law impacts businesses that are small,' what is the main clarity problem?
- The subject is too vague.
- The adjective 'small' is placed in an unnatural position, creating awkwardness. (Correct answer)
- The verb 'impacts' should be replaced with a noun form.
- The sentence lacks a defined timeframe.
Correct answer: The adjective 'small' is placed in an unnatural position, creating awkwardness.
Placing 'small' after 'businesses' as a predicate adjective rather than before it as an attributive adjective ('small businesses') is awkward and less clear.
Question 5: Which sentence uses the word 'including' most precisely in a legal context?
- The penalty includes, but is not limited to, fines and imprisonment. (Correct answer)
- The penalty includes fines and imprisonment.
- The penalty includes various consequences such as fines.
- The penalty may include fines or imprisonment.
Correct answer: The penalty includes, but is not limited to, fines and imprisonment.
'Including, but not limited to' signals that the list is non-exhaustive, which is the standard precise formulation in legal writing.
Question 6: What does it mean for a legal argument to 'beg the question'?
- It raises an important question that must be answered.
- It assumes as true the very point it is trying to prove. (Correct answer)
- It invites the opposing party to ask clarifying questions.
- It introduces a rhetorical question to persuade the reader.
Correct answer: It assumes as true the very point it is trying to prove.
Begging the question (petitio principii) is a logical fallacy where the conclusion is assumed within the premise.
Question 7: Which revision most improves the precision of: 'The contract was for a significant amount of money'?
- The contract was for a large sum.
- The contract was for a considerable monetary value.
- The contract was for $250,000. (Correct answer)
- The contract involved a significant financial commitment.
Correct answer: The contract was for $250,000.
Replacing vague quantifiers with a specific dollar figure eliminates subjective interpretation.
LNAT Clarity and Precision in Writing 2
Which revision best eliminates the ambiguity in: 'The attorney told his client he needed to prepare for trial.'?