Reading ComprehensionDifficulty: Easy

PT122 S3 P1 Q5 Explanation

Court Computer Displays

A free, expert breakdown of this official LSAT Reading Comprehension question.

TopicsLocate DetailLaw

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Passage

The use of computer-generated visual displays in courtrooms is growing as awareness of their ability to recreate crime scenes spreads. Displays currently in use range from still pictures in series that mimic simple movement to sophisticated simulations based on complex applications of rules of physics and mathematics. By making it possible to generally low. In addition, computers also allow litigators to integrate graphic aids seamlessly into their presentations.

Despite these benefits, however, some critics are urging caution in the use of these displays, pointing to a concomitant potential for abuse or unintentional misuse, such as the unfair manipulation of a juror’s impression of an event. These critics argue further that the persuasive and richly communicative nature of the displays can and speculation, the displays may in some instances constitute evidence unsuitable for use in a trial.

To avoid misuse of this technology in the courtroom, practical steps must be taken. First, counsel must be alert to the ever-present danger of its misuse; diligent analyses of the data that form the basis for computer displays should be routinely performed and disclosed. Judges, who have the discretion to disallow displays financial aid in these circumstances would help create a more equitable legal arena in this respect.

What this question is testing

Locate Detail

Your task

Pin down exactly what the question asks about the passage — a detail, the author's view, the structure, or the main point — before looking at the choices.

Common trap

Answers that restate a true detail from the passage but don't answer the specific question being asked.

Winning move

Anticipate the answer in your own words from the passage, then find the choice that matches that prediction.

Reading along? Open the full official question in LawHub — we show a fragment here and keep the reasoning in our own words.

The question
5.

The author states which one of the following about computer displays used

Answer choices

  1. Too Strong: few advantages1% picked this

    Despite appearances, computer displays offer few practical advantages over conventional forms

    This is more or less contradicted by the 3rd sentence of the passage, in which the author says that, "computer displays provide litigators with tremendous explanatory advantages."

  2. Too Specific: most0% picked this

    Most critics of computer-generated evidence argue for banning such evidence in

    In the second paragraph, we hear about some critics of computer generated displays. The passage didn't make any generalizations about most critics. Even the some critics we heard from didn't talk about an absolute ban; they "urged caution in the use of these displays".

  3. Correct90% picked this

    Judges should forewarn jurors of the potentially biased nature of

    Why this is right

    This is stated in the 3rd to last sentence of the passage: Similarly, judges should forewarn jurors of the potentially biased nature of computer-generated evidence. So weird, right? It's like the answer just straight up says what it said the passage. That's the beauty of question stems that say "the author states".

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

  4. Too Strong: primarily2% picked this

    Computer displays are used primarily in technical trials, in which jury interest

    The author at the end of the first paragraph, does mention that computer displays are especially valuable in technical trials, but that doesn't mean they are primarily used in technical trials. The latter expression means that the #1 type of trial where computer displays are used is technical trials. I could say that "mindfulness regimens" are especially valuable for people studying for the LSAT, but that doesn't mean that "Mindfulness breathing is used primarily by people studying for the LSAT". Even if LSAT students get more out of mindfulness than regular people do, there are so many more regular people out there, so most mindfulness breathers are still non-LSAT students. (There's also a subtle difference between saying jury interest is naturally low and saying it's generally low. The latter is just descriptive but the former is opinionated. For the author to say that it's natural for jury interest to be low, he's sort of condoning it empathetically. For the author to say that jury interest is generally low, he's not necessarily condoning it, just reporting it.)

  5. Unsupported: litigators must ensure7% picked this

    Litigators who utilize computer-generated displays must ensure that the opposing side has equal access

    It says something very close to this in the 2nd to last sentence of the passage, but it just says generically that "steps should be taken to ensure equal access". It never says that the burden of making sure falls on litigators. It might be up to the judge, or the courthouse audio-visual team.

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