PrepTest 124, Section 4, Question 14
In England the burden of history weighs heavily(428 more words not shown)
The primary purpose of the(3 more words not shown)
- Aexplain a paradoxical(9 more words not shown)
- Bsupply a chronological(7 more words not shown)
- Ctrace the ideas(10 more words not shown)
- Dcontrast the legal(16 more words not shown)
- Eadvocate a traditional(8 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
I'd describe the overall job as challenging the usual study of English common law and presenting a historical alternative. We start with how deeply rooted in history it is, explain why academic approaches neglect that development, and finish with Goodrich's proposal. Let's see which choice fits that whole movement.
Working the answers
- ACorrect
Paradoxical isn't the word I initially had in mind. But the surprising mismatch is there: history is essential to understanding common law, yet its academic study largely neglects historical development. The second paragraph explains that mismatch, and the third presents Goodrich's different view. Both parts fit.
- B
Discussing the importance of history isn't the same as giving a chronological history. We don't trace an idea through successive dates or stages.
- C
Goodrich appears only in the final paragraph, and we don't follow the development of his ideas or evaluate his ongoing work. This makes one part stand in for the entire discussion.
- D
The main contrast isn't between legal theories from past eras and theories today. It's between the prevailing academic approach and Goodrich's proposed way of understanding a developing tradition.
- E
This reverses the direction. The writer criticizes the established approach and presents Goodrich's alternative favorably. Common law's status as a tradition doesn't make its usual academic treatment the view being defended.
More Organization questions
Learn the LSAT our way
Our platform drills Organization questions at your level and adjusts as you improve.