Reading comp PrepTest 144 · Section 1 · Question 7

Passage

 . The following passage was adapted from a law journal  . article published in 1998.  .  .       Industries that use Remaining source text redacted.
Passage walkthrough
Passage SummaryTopic: Legal Studies

Paragraph 1
  • Paragraph note
    • Two groups that agree are introduced; a question is presented
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Biotech business and academics think commercial research should be patentable
    • Question - Are these patents hindering research?
    • Patents facing scrutiny (scientists and policy makers)
Paragraph 2
  • Paragraph note
    • The threat to research is outlined
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Enforcement - A patent holder stops others from using basic research materials
    • Contracts - A patent holder requires someone to pay a lot to use research materials
    • Example - Patent holder asks for money to get research costs back
    • Academics - Fear corporations will charge too much
Paragraph 3
  • Paragraph note
    • The Author pivots to a defense of patents
  • Views, minor Meta-Structures, and the author's attitude
    • Concession - Used to be communal, but not all information was shared
    • Wrong assumption of scientists against patents - Patents allow people to prevent others from using stuff
    • Why wrong - Not applied to noncommercial research for 2 reasons
    • 1 - It's expensive to litigate
    • 2 - Judges don't enforce against academic research
    • Other patent pro - Incentive to research to make money
Main Point:
While researchers fear that biotechnology patents will impede scientific research, their arguments rely on mistaken assumptions, and patents might actually provide an incentive to do research.

Key Lines:
Lines 8-10 - A question/problem is presented
Lines 14-17 - The problem is highlighted
Lines 17-19 - Two specific sources of the problem are noted
Lines 40-44 - The Author points out a mistaken assumption of those who fear patents
Line 47 - The Author introduces one reason they're mistaken
Line 51 - The Author introduces a second reason they're mistaken
Line 54 - The Author brings up a positive of patents

Meta-Structure:
Question/Answer - The passage starts with a question over whether biotech patents are hurting research. The answers make up the debate, with some scientists saying they do and others, along with the Author, saying they don't necessarily and might actually spur research. Since this debate dominates the passage and the Author takes a side, the Author's answer to the question is the main point.

Last Thoughts:
There's an interesting symmetry to the structure of the two arguments—both get explicitly broken into two parts. In Paragraph 2, those who fear patents fear exclusion and contracts. In Paragraph 3, the Author argues that they're wrong for two reasons. Knowing what each of these pairs is supporting, what they say, and where to find them in the passage will likely be key to answering the questions efficiently.

Question prompt

Which one of the Remaining source text redacted.
Why the credited answer is right

Credited answer: D

The notes below walk through why it fits the stem and how to eliminate the rest.

Question Type

Legal

Answer choices

  1. A
    By commercializing the research Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 43-47) This answer reflects the argument made in Paragraph 2, but the Author points out mistaken assumptions in that argument in Paragraph 3, and this answer choice misses that.
  2. B
    The recent shift away Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 8-10; Lines 35-37; Lines 43-47) The Author does categorize the shift this way in Paragraph 3, and she does highlight a debate over the shift. However, she takes sides in that debate by highlighting mistaken assumptions in the argument of one side, so this answer is too neutral to be the main point.
  3. C
    The current system of Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 54-55) The Author ends the passage by stating that patents likely spur research, so this answer is too negative towards patents.
  4. D
    Concerns expressed by academic Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D matches the stem
    Correct. Question Type:
    Main Point

    Strategy Overview:
    Reiterate the main point as we anticipated it after reading the passage, then find an answer that aligns with it

    Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
    The passage introduces a question in Paragraph 1—Is biotechnology patenting hindering basic research? Paragraph 2 explores the argument of those who say yes, it is. Paragraph 3 has the Author highlighting mistaken assumptions of that view (Line 43) before stating a possible benefit of them (Lines 54-57). From this, we said the main point is:

    While researchers fear that biotechnology patents will impede scientific research, their arguments rely on mistaken assumptions, and patents might actually provide an incentive to do research.

    Answer Explanation:
    (Paragraph 2; Lines 40-44) The passage starts by presenting a question over the value of patents in biotechnology. After spending Paragraph 2 outlining the argument that they're hurting research in the area, the Author steps in to say that that argument is based on confusion (Line 41) and mistaken assumptions (Line 43). That lines up with the view being largely misguided, and that language also is supported by the Author's argument that patents provide an economic incentive to research (Lines 54-55). This answer is therefore correct.

    Key Takeaway:
    When a passage centers on answering a question, the Author's answer—if present—is usually the main point. When that answer is framed through pointing out problems with another answer, as it was here ("confusing"; "mistakenly assume"), expect that to be reflected in the correct answer to the main point question.
  5. E
    Patent litigation is so Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 47-51) The fact that this idea is introduced with a "First" (Line 47) should tell you that it can't be the main point, as it's only one element on a longer list!

What this tests

Question analytics

Based on historical answer selection rates for this question.

Answer choice distribution

  1. A 5%
  2. B 12%
  3. C 2%
  4. D Credited 80%
  5. E 0%

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