PrepTest 144

[lcid:3672] Prep Test 144 LSAT — Reading Comp — S1 Reading comp

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

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

Credited answer: C

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

Question Type

Legal

Answer choices

  1. A
    In the early days Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice A is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 37-40) At the beginning of Paragraph 3, the Author notes that even in the early days of research, some tried to hide their discoveries from others, so this answer is contradicted by the passage.
  2. B
    Corporate patent holders typically Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice B is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 30-34; Lines 44-47) This answer reflects a fear of the researchers who oppose patents, and it runs counter to the Author's view that patents won't generally be enforced against researchers.
  3. C
    The cost of patent Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice C matches the stem
    Correct. Question Type:
    Must Be True

    Strategy Overview:
    Remind ourselves of the Author's main point, then focus on answers that align with it and use our notes/the passage to confirm any details

    Answer Anticipation/Relevant Lines:
    There's no guidance as to what topic the correct answer will address, so all we can do here is remind ourselves of the Author's main point. That said, the Author was present mainly in Paragraph 3, so we should focus our search for info backing up any answer there.

    But the main point, as we stated it, 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:
    (Lines 46-51; Lines 44-47) The Author cites the cost of patent litigation as a reason that it's questionable that patents would be enforced against researchers engaged in basic, noncommercial research. This answer is therefore correct.

    Key Takeaway:
    The Author created a list of two reasons to believe patents wouldn't prevent research, and one of the two elements of that list showed up as the correct answer here. Such lists will almost always be directly related to the answer to a question, so be sure that you note them when they show up!
  4. D
    Biotechnology researchers in academic Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice D is not credited
    Incorrect. (Lines 4-7) This answer reflects the viewpoint of researchers who support patents, but the Author doesn't refer back to them when explaining her position. She argues against the researchers who argue against patents.
  5. E
    Scientists who oppose the Remaining source text redacted.
    Why choice E is not credited
    Incorrect. Nothing in the last paragraph suggests the Author believes that those who oppose patents do so because they're . . . jealous? of those who can get patents.

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