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

Naz August 29, 2014

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.

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stormbeeler September 15, 2015

Is the flaw in C due to the wording objective analysis since the passage only states about previous guilt and not behavior. Thanks

Naz September 18, 2015

The part of the passage that refers to "preconceptions" is in the second paragraph.

We are told that evidence that a defendant has had a prior conviction brings about a preconception in the jury that this person is inclined toward repeating criminal behavior. So evidence causes the jury to have a preconception. However, answer choice (C) states that jurors come in to the trial with preconceptions that prevent them from analyzing the evidence, whereas the passage is saying certain evidence can be taken in a way to give jurors a preconception. Do you see the difference?

Thus, the passage never actually touches upon answer choice (C). That is why it is incorrect.

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