The author would be most likely to agree with which one of the following generalizations about a jury's decision–maki...

Naz on April 16, 2015

Lines 27-32 only point towards answer choice (E).

"Also, a jury MAY give more probative weight than objective analysis would allow to vivid photographic evidence depicting a shooting victim's wounds . . . (lines 27-30)."

Answer choice (B) states: "Juries USUALLY overestimate the value of visual evidence such as photographs."

We only know, from lines 27-30, that a jury CAN overestimate the value of photographs. The only example of visual evidence we have been given is "vivid photographic evidence (lines 28-29)," and all we know is that a jury COULD overestimate its value. Answer choice (B) states that juries USUALLY overestimate the value of visual evidence such as photographs. We have no information in the passage that corroborates the generalization that juries often overestimate the value of visual evidence such as photographs.

Answer choice (E) states: "The manner in which evidence is presented to a jury MAY influence the jury either to overestimate or to underestimate the value of that evidence."

Lines 27-30 are an example of how evidence "may influence the jury" to overestimate the value of the evidence. The second paragraph also states that a jury "MAY underestimate the weight of defense testimony that is not delivered in a sufficiently forceful or persuasive manner (lines 30-32)." This is an example of how evidence "may influence the jury" to underestimate the value of the evidence.

Thus, answer choice (E) is a generalization about a jury's decision-making process that the author would agree with.

Hope that was helpful! Please let us know if you have any more questions.

Batman on April 17, 2015

Thanks a lot!!! It's great explanations!

AAA on January 31, 2023

Could you please explain why (C) is incorrect as well? Thank you!!

Emil-Kunkin on February 5, 2023

Good question! The first half of the second paragraph does point to the idea that past convictions of a defendant might prejudice a jury. However, I think there is a difference between "preconceptions about the behavior of defendants" and being aware of prior convictions.

While these sound similar, I think it would be a bit of a stretch to say that a conviction is behavior. While it may point to behavior, that is not necessarily the case. I think that C does look fairly attractive, but the passage never explicitly stated that the biasing fact is behavior.