LSAT 153 | Section 4 | Reading Comprehension: Q14

RC Question 14 Explanation

DISCUSSION: Both passages were about whether judges should believe what they say, and also whether they must believe what they say.

• Should: Passage A paragraph 3, Passage B paragraph 3
• Must: Passage A paragraph 1, Passage B paragraph 2

___________

1. This is way too general. Candor is a constraint on judges’ power, but it’s far from the only constraint. The right answer should be about judicial honesty specifically.
2. CORRECT. Passage A mentions this at the very start of paragraph 1. Passage B mentions it in paragraph 2 (“obligation to be candid”).
3. Neither passage argued this. For example, author A said honesty would strengthen the legitimacy of the courts. But, that’s not the same thing as honesty being required for legitimacy. Further, this answer choice is asking where the authors sought an answer. But author stated the above as a fact, as though they already had the answer.
4. Only passage A mentions this. And further, there’s a difference between mentioning a thing and seeking an answer to a question. If I say “It is sunny today” I am not “seeking an answer to the question of which days will be nice”. I’m just making a comment about the weather!
5. Only passage B asks this specifically. Passage A is instead focussed on justifying judicial honesty on moral grounds. They mention the argument that honesty may have good outcomes, but they dismiss it in the third paragraph.