Reading comp PrepTest 141 · Section 1 · Question 24

Incorrect. (Lines 1-2; Lines 48-50) As we've already stated, Passage A speaks in generalities, while Passage B speaks about a specific situation. As such, Passage B isn't broadening the theories presented in Passage A.

Incorrect. (Lines 1-2; Lines 56-57) Passage B talks about what should happen in a given case. That's different from presenting facts that bolster an argument. In addition, Passage A doesn't really present an argument—it outlines a moral theory, but it doesn't really argue why it's the right one.

Incorrect. (Lines 23-24; Lines 51-54) Both passages deal with the transfer of property—and, specifically, with the illicit taking of property. As such, they share subject matter, making this answer wrong.

Correct. Question Type:
Methods of Reasoning

Strategy Overview:
Review the specifics of Paragraph 2 of Passage B and the main point of Passage A, then anticipate an answer reflecting how their arguments relate to each other

Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
This is a bit of a weird question stem, but the answers are going to abstractly describe what Passage A and Paragraph 2 of Passage B do. That's close to describing how they reason, so we're going to approach it that way. If you thought of this as an Argument Structure question, that's probably another solid way to approach it.

After reading the passages, we noted that Passage A spoke in generalities about the principles underlying a just transfer of property, whereas Passage B spoke about a specific situation. Paragraph 2, in particular, dove into what "should" be done "ideally" with the illicit taking of Native lands in North America.

Thinking about how the principles in Passage A line up with the specific situation in Passage B, we can see that the principle of rectification from Passage A and the recommended course of action in Passage B largely align. Passage A argues that, when land is stolen or taken by fraud, the history should be looked at to find who the rightful owner is (Lines 28-33), and the property should be returned to the rightful owner (Lines 33-35). Passage B argues that the land illicitly taken from the Native Americans should, in an ideal world, be fully returned to them (Lines 56-57).

So let's find an answer stating that Passage A presents principles that line up with the recommendation made in Passage B, Paragraph 2.

Answer Explanation:
(Lines 28-35; Lines 56-57) Passage A says that when property is illegally transferred, historical information should be used to determine the rightful owner, and then the property must be returned to them. Paragraph 2 of Passage B argues that land illicitly taken from Native Americans ideally should be returned to them. The principle (of rectification) raised in Passage A justifies the judgment made in Passage B, so this is the correct answer.

Key Takeaway:
In general, in Comparative RC, where one passage speaks in generalities and the other analyzes a specific case, you should spend time thinking about how the general rules raised in the one passage apply in the specific case. Sometimes, the principle will align with the conclusion made by the Author in the passage with the specific case; sometimes it won't. It's important to know which situation you're dealing with when you head into the answer choices!

Incorrect. (Lines 28-35; Lines 56-57) Passage A says that when property is illegally transferred, historical information should be used to determine the rightful owner, and then the property must be returned to them. Paragraph 2 of Passage B argues that land illicitly taken from Native Americans ideally should be returned to them. The principle (of rectification) raised in Passage A justifies the judgment made in Passage B, so this answer is incorrect.