PrepTest 138, Section 1, Question 25
Passage A Law enforcement agencies can effectively nullify(485 more words not shown)
Passage A(288 more words not shown)
Passage B(205 more words not shown)
The role of the word(25 more words not shown)
- A"particularly" (third sentence(4 more words not shown)
- B"probability" (fifth sentence(4 more words not shown)
- C"alternative" (second-to-last sentence(4 more words not shown)
- D"discretionary" (last sentence(4 more words not shown)
- E"capricious" (last sentence(3 more words not shown)
Reading the passage
In B, officials plan to cut off water to a few selected customers, not everyone with an overdue bill. We need the word in A that plays the same role: identifying a choice about which cases to pursue. The point is selection within enforcement, rather than whether the decision is likely, precise, or sensible.
Working the answers
- A
“Particularly” concerns how specifically lawmakers describe the forbidden conduct. That is a choice about the wording of the rule, not the selection of cases in which to enforce it.
- B
“Probability” means likelihood. The sentence weighs the chance of acquitting someone guilty against the harm of punishing someone innocent. It does not identify officials' ability to select cases.
- C
“Alternative” distinguishes different methods of law enforcement. B's “selectively” concerns which customers receive the chosen treatment, not a choice between collection methods such as cutoffs and liens.
- DCorrect
“Discretionary” means that officials have room to choose whether to enforce the law in particular cases. A describes choosing not to pursue certain violations; B describes choosing a few overdue customers to pursue. The direction differs, but the relevant role is the same: officials select cases instead of responding uniformly to all of them.
- E
“Capricious” concerns arbitrary enforcement that departs from lawmakers' intentions. A selective decision need not be arbitrary. B even gives a reason for the chosen targets: officials think privileged residents caught failing to pay will have little basis for complaint.
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