Reading Comprehension

PT1 · S1 · P3 · Q20 Criminal Procedure

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There are two major systems of criminal procedure in the modern world—the adversarial and the inquisitorial.

Topic

The two main types of modern criminal procedure systems: adversarial vs. inquisitorial.

Framework

Old / New

Main Point

The inquisitorial criminal justice system, which is more focused on discovering the truth and is more thorough and balanced, is historically and philosophically superior to the adversarial system, especially for innocent defendants. The key summarizing sentences are in the third and last paragraphs ( in P3, and the final conclusion in P5).

P1: Overview of Criminal Procedure Systems

There are two main criminal justice systems today—adversarial and inquisitorial. Both evolved from a much older model where victims handled justice themselves.

P2: The Adversarial System’s Origins and Key Features

The adversarial system resembles the old private vengeance system, focusing on a "duel" between the prosecution and defendant. The judge is neutral and uninformed at first, and the system has a competitive, combat-like tone.

P3: The Inquisitorial System’s Origins and Key Features

The inquisitorial system developed further away from private vengeance. It's "historically superior" and features the prosecutor investigating for both sides, the requirement to share all evidence pretrial, and a judge who actively directs and protects the process.

20.

All of the following are characteristics of the inquisitorial system that the author cites except:

  1. It is based on cooperation

    Supported

    We know form P3 that "the system mandates that both parties permit full pretrial discovery of the evidence in their possession", which sounds pretty cooperative. And the following sentence says that the judge's active role in the proceedings makes it feel "less like a duel between two adversarial parties".

    6% picked this

  2. It encourages full disclosure of

    Supported

    We know form P3 that "the system mandates that both parties permit full pretrial discovery of the evidence in their possession", which qualifies as full disclosure of evidence.

    2% picked this

  3. It requires that the judge

    Supported

    The final sentence of P3 says that the judge "takes an active part in the conduct of the trial".

    1% picked this

  4. Correct

    It places the defendant in

    Why this is right

    This is something said about the adversarial system in P2: the adversarial system still leaves the defendant to conduct his or her own pretrial investigation.

    Skill tested: Locate Detail · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.

    85% picked this

  5. It favors the innocent.

    Supported

    Here's that sneak attack from somewhere besides P3. P5 says that "a defendant who is innocent would prefer to be tried under the inquisitorial system".

    6% picked this

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