LSAT Passage 4

Question 1

A passage contains the following sentences: 'The majority opinion relied on precedent X. The dissent, by contrast, argued that precedent X was distinguishable on its facts.' What logical move is the dissent making?

Accepted Answer

Claiming that the differences between the current case and precedent X make it inapplicable

Answer

Distinguishing a precedent means arguing that factual differences make it inapplicable to the current case, which is the dissent's move here.

Question 2

An LSAT passage presents scientific evidence for a claim in paragraphs 1-3, then paragraph 4 introduces a methodological criticism of the studies cited. What is the most likely purpose of paragraph 4?

Accepted Answer

To undermine the evidentiary basis for the claim made in paragraphs 1-3

Answer

A methodological criticism attacks the quality of the evidence presented, thereby undermining the claim those studies were meant to support.

Question 3

A passage about First Amendment law includes: 'Content-neutral regulations are subject to intermediate scrutiny, while content-based restrictions trigger strict scrutiny.' A question asks what happens when a law targets specific viewpoints. Based on the passage, such a law would most likely:

Accepted Answer

Face strict scrutiny as a content-based restriction

Answer

A viewpoint-based law is a subset of content-based restrictions, which the passage states trigger strict scrutiny.

Question 4

In a comparative passage, Author A argues that common law evolves organically through judicial decisions, while Author B argues it must be codified to ensure predictability. A question asks: on which point would both authors most likely agree?

Accepted Answer

Judicial decisions play some role in shaping legal rules

Answer

Both authors discuss common law and judicial decisions—even Author B, who favors codification, implicitly acknowledges that judicial decisions currently shape the law.

Question 5

An LSAT passage uses an analogy comparing the brain's neural networks to a city's transportation grid. A question asks what the analogy is meant to illustrate. The best answer would identify:

Accepted Answer

How a complex system's efficiency depends on the connectivity and capacity of its pathways

Answer

The analogy draws on the shared structural principle that both systems depend on well-connected, high-capacity pathways for efficient functioning.

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT Passage 4