PT132.S3.P4.Q27

PrepTest 132 - Section 3 - Passage 4 - Question 27

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P1

Computers have long been utilized in the sphere of law in the form of word processors, spreadsheets, legal research systems, and practice management systems. ███

Context · Computers often used by lawyers
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Topic · Exciting prospect of using computers for legal reasoning
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Problem · Computers don't perform legal reasoning well
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Main Point / Explanation · Computers have difficult interpreting and applying legal rules
P2

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Early Methods · Assumed computers could apply facts to rules to reach legal results
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Problem with Early Methods · Underestimated difficulty of interpretation
E.g., is a mobile home in a trailer park a house or a motor vehicle? That requires interpretation. Many laws contain vague concepts in order to be flexible. But to apply those laws requires a lot of contextual knowledge about the world.
P3

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Modern Methods · Computers that incorporate case law
Proponents believe that computers can be programed with cases and use case-based reasoning to reach the right conclusion.
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Problem with Modern Methods · The problem of interpretation is still present
Because the computer still needs to figure out which cases are similar in relevant ways.
Passage Style
Problem-analysis
Single position
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27.

Which one of the following ██ █████████ ██ ███ ███████ ██ ██ █████████ ██████████████ ██ ████ ████████ ████ ██████████ ███ ███████████ ██ ████████████ █████ █████████ ████████

a

complexity of syntax

Not stated. Complex wording isn’t the problem. The problem is an absence of wording: certain concepts are left undefined.

5%
b

unavailability of relevant ██████████

Not stated as a characteristic of statutes. Precedents are judicial decisions or interpretations, and are discussed in P3. We’re being asked about statutes, which are written laws passed by legislature, and are discussed in P2.

5%
c

intentional vagueness and ████████████

Stated in P2. Certain concepts are left undefined or vague in order to allow the law to be adapted to unforeseen circumstances. This makes things difficult for rule-based legal reasoning systems.

84%
d

overly narrow intent

Not stated. The problem isn’t that statutes are written with too narrow an intent. Too the contrary—the problem is that in order to prevent statutes from being overly narrow and rigid, certain concepts aren’t defined.

5%
e

incompatibility with previous ████████

Not stated. The problem isn’t how one statute relates to another. The problem is that within an individual statute, certain concepts are left undefined.

2%

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