Reading Comprehension

PT122 · S3 · P1 · Q2 Court Computer Displays

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The use of computer-generated visual displays in courtrooms is growing as awareness of their ability to recreate crime scenes spreads.

Topic

The growing use of computer-generated visual displays in courtrooms—benefits, risks, and recommendations for fair use.

Framework

Problem / Solution

Main Point

While computer-generated displays can give litigators powerful advantages by making evidence more accessible and compelling for juries, they also pose risks of misuse and unfairness; therefore, practical steps must be taken to ensure accurate, equitable use in courtrooms. ( — first sentence of the last paragraph)

P1: The Rise and Advantages of Computer-Generated Displays

The paragraph explains how computer-generated visuals are changing how lawyers present cases. They make things clearer and more memorable for juries (like “being there”), especially in tricky or technical trials, because people remember pictures much better than words.

P2: Criticisms and Risks of Misuse

Here, the author points out that these displays can be abused or accidentally mislead juries, either by overwhelming their critical thinking with slick visuals or by giving one side an unfair advantage if the other can’t afford such technology. Plus, the displays mix data and speculation, which might not make them reliable evidence.

P3: Solutions and Safeguards

This paragraph proposes how to prevent abuse: lawyers should analyze and disclose the data behind displays, judges should carefully screen and explain the risks to jurors, and courts should ensure both sides have access to the technology, perhaps by offering financial assistance.

Which one of the following most accurately describes the organization of the passage?

The popularity of a new
Bad 1st and 3rd Ingredient
The last ingredient here is somewhat tempting, because the passage ends with "recommended corrective actions". However, the author isn't trying to stem (i.e. reduce) the use of computer displays. She's trying to reduce the misuse of computer displays. So the last ingredient, upon closer inspection, doesn't work. And the first ingredient is way off, since the author doesn't start off the passage by lamenting. In fact the first paragraph covers the positive aspects of computer displays.
7% picked this
A new technology is endorsed;
Bad 2nd and 3rd Ingredient
The last ingredient is a pretty bad match, so much so that we might not ever read the rest of this answer choice. The final paragraph is about ways to avoid misuse of a technology. Could we stretch that to mean "ways to take further advantage of the technology?" Maybe, if we had to, but that's a clear distortion. The 2nd ingredient is the starkest mismatch, since the 2nd paragraph is about the potential disadvantages / problems with the new technology, and this answer is saying we got specific examples of its advantages.
0% picked this
A new technology is presented
Bad Last Ingredient
The last paragraph is "ways to avoid misuse of the new technology", not "alternative uses of the new technology".
0% picked this
Correct
A new technology is introduced
Why this is right
This has the most lovable final ingredient, "ways to avoid misuse" = "recommendations for preventing problems". The first ingredient matches the positive tone of the first paragraph, in which the author discusses the upsides of computer displays. The second ingredient matches the critics in the second paragraph, who warn us of potential problems.
Skill tested: Organization · how this choice captures the passage's function is the move to repeat next time.
91% picked this
A new technology is described
Bad Last Ingredient
The final paragraph is about recommendations for steps we can take to minimize the misuse of a new technology. But this says it's steps we can take "to promote the widespread use of the technology". That's a big enough stretch that given (D), which lines up perfectly, we shouldn't feel the need to be too charitable.
2% picked this

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