PrepTest 105, Section 3, Question 13
Many of us can conceive of penalties that(441 more words not shown)
As expressed in the passage,(15 more words not shown)
- Areluctant approval of(6 more words not shown)
- Bmild skepticism that(4 more words not shown)
- Cdetached indifference toward(4 more words not shown)
- Dscholarly neutrality on(4 more words not shown)
- Eimplicit disapproval of(3 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
The writer thinks twenty years for shoplifting is wrong, even if it discourages theft. Paragraph 3 describes something “intuitively wrong, or unjust” about such a penalty. So predict disapproval of the injustice, not doubt about whether the threat could work.
Working the answers
- A
Recognizing possible deterrence isn't approving the punishment. The writer still treats the penalty as excessive.
- B
The objection isn't mild doubt about the benefit. A harsh penalty could deter crime and still be unjust because of the harm it causes.
- C
The final paragraph explicitly considers harm to the offender. The writer isn't indifferent to that effect.
- D
Describing the penalty as intuitively wrong takes a position. It isn't neutrality about whether the punishment is justified.
- ECorrect
The discussion disapproves of the penalty as unjust: it “far outweighs the crime.” The final paragraph then offers a possible explanation for that reaction in the balance of benefit and harm.
More Author's Opinion questions
Learn the LSAT our way
Our platform drills Author's Opinion questions at your level and adjusts as you improve.