LSAT Passage 5

Question 1

A passage discusses the evolution of administrative law and states: 'Chevron deference instructed courts to defer to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes.' A 'what can be inferred' question asks about the relationship between courts and agencies under Chevron. The best inference is:

Accepted Answer

Courts were directed to defer to agency expertise when statutory language was unclear

Answer

Chevron deference means courts defer to reasonable agency interpretations when a statute is ambiguous, preserving but limiting judicial review.

Question 2

An LSAT passage describes a reform proposal and lists its benefits in paragraph 2, then paragraph 3 presents practical obstacles to implementation. The author's purpose in including paragraph 3 is most likely to:

Accepted Answer

Present a complete picture by acknowledging challenges alongside benefits

Answer

By presenting both benefits and practical obstacles, the author provides a balanced, comprehensive analysis rather than one-sided advocacy.

Question 3

A Reading Comprehension question asks you to identify the 'primary purpose' of a passage. The passage describes a scientific controversy, presents evidence on both sides, and concludes that more research is needed. Which answer best captures the primary purpose?

Accepted Answer

To survey competing perspectives on an unresolved scientific question and call for further investigation

Answer

When a passage presents multiple sides and ends with a call for more research, its primary purpose is to survey an open debate and advocate for further study.

Question 4

In a passage about property rights, the author writes: 'The bundle of rights theory conceives of property not as a monolithic entitlement but as a collection of separable sticks.' What does the 'bundle of sticks' metaphor most likely convey?

Accepted Answer

Property ownership consists of multiple distinct rights that can be held or transferred separately

Answer

The bundle-of-sticks metaphor in property law illustrates that ownership is composed of separable rights (use, exclude, transfer, etc.) rather than one indivisible entitlement.

Question 5

An LSAT passage describes research showing that eyewitness testimony is unreliable, then discusses why courts still admit it. A question asks what the passage implies about the legal system's response to psychological research. The best answer is:

Accepted Answer

The legal system has been slow or reluctant to apply scientific findings that contradict longstanding practices

Answer

The contrast between known unreliability and continued admission implies institutional inertia or reluctance to fully incorporate scientific findings.

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT - Law School Admission Test Practice Test

LSAT Passage 5