PrepTest 37, Section 4, Question 1

By Brandon Beaver | Published October 29, 2024

Type: Main Point

Difficulty:

Explanations

We're asked to determine the main point of the passage. My prediction's something like: "Despite criticism about its costs, we should maintain the unanimity rule in jury trials because its social and democratic benefits dramatically outweigh the costs." Let's dive into the answers.
A
Nope. This is too focused on the counterpoints presented in the second paragraph.
B
No. This mischaracterizes one of the author's counterpoints. When did we discuss irresponsible jurors? (DRDP—Didn't read? Don't pick.)
C
No, not even close. Our author's concerned with convincing the reader to keep the unanimity rule, not to needle the problems that surround it. That's what the critics our author's arguing back against were concerned with, but not our author.
D
Nope. The first clause was on track, but then it derails. Our author doesn't argue that the rule is only effective when jurors conscientiously do their job.
E
Bingo! "We should keep the unanimity rule because its benefits outweigh its costs." This is the main point of the passage.

Passage

The jury trial is one of the handful of democratic instituti

Question 1

Which one of the following most accurately states the main p