LR Question Forum

[GratefulDead]

Please give me an answer and an explanation of why it is the right answer, and why the others are incorrect. Thanks in advance


A question about a criminologist's opinion. PT 43 Section 2 # 8

[3|ink]

C.

And I think you broke a big rule here. http://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =6&t=36019

Instead of copying the whole question, just tell us the test # (i.e. prep test 35), the section (LR1 or LR2) and the question number.

[GratefulDead]

crap my fault totally unintentional ill delete it

[nycparalegal]

Please give me an answer and an explanation of why it is the right answer, and why the others are incorrect. Thanks in advance


Criminogist: Increasing the current prison term for robbery will result in no significant effect in discouraging people from committing robbery. Each of the following if true, supports the criminologist's claim EXCEPT:
A) Many people who rob are motivated primarily by thrill-seeking and risk-taking
B) An increase in the prison term for embezzlement did not change the rate at which that crime was committed
C) Prison terms for robbery have generally decreased in length recently
D) Most people committing robbery believe that they will not get caught
E) Most people committing robbery have no idea what the average sentence for robbery is

The answer is C.

A) This supports the criminologist's claim. If many people who rob are motivated primarily by thrill-seeking and risk-taking than increasing the sentence won't affect them wanting to rob.

B) This also supports the criminologist's claim. If an increase in the prison term for embezzlment didn't change the rate at which the crime was committed then maybe it acts as an example for why it probably wont affect the rate for robbery.

C) This doesn't support the criminologist's claim.

D) This supports the criminologist's claim. If many people believe they won't get caught then increasing the sentence for robbery won't affect them.

E) This supports the criminologist's claim. If many people don't know what the average sentence for robbery is then increasing the sentence won't deter them because they won't know about it.

[GratefulDead]

Thankyou that is what I selected but I was having trouble determining why 1 of the answers was not TCR

[3|ink]

The stimulus suggests that increasing the penalty for crime does not deter criminals. This is basically the same as saying that the cause (harsher sentences) will not lead to a certain effect (reduced crime). If this were a standard strengthen question stem, the correct answer would be the one that most strengthens the argument by weakening the cause/effect relationship. However, since this is an EXCEPT question, the correct answer is going to be either:

1) Irrelevant; or
2) Weaken the argument by stregnthening the cause/effect relationship.

A) Not your answer. If people are motivated by thrill-seeking and risk-taking, then it stands to reason that increasing the penalty for robbery will not deter such people.
B) Not your answer. This is evidence that increasing the punishment did not reduce the rate at which crime was committed.
C) This is your answer. This does nothing to the argument and is therefore irrelevant.
D) Not your answer. This suggests harsher punishment will not deter crime.
E) Not your answer. This suggests harsher punishment will not deter crime.