Passage A: Third-Party Analysis

Written from an external perspective, Passage A introduces and discusses Thomas Sowell's concept of cosmic justice. It presents his philosophical framework as an observer, explaining how Sowell distinguishes between traditional justice and cosmic justice.

Passage B: Sowell's Own Words

Written by Thomas Sowell himself, Passage B presents the philosopher's direct explanation and critique of cosmic justice. This first-person perspective provides authorial intent and deeper insight into the reasoning behind the concept.

Passage A → Passage B Relationship:

Passage A introduces and explains Sowell's concept (external analysis), while Passage B provides Sowell's direct critique and reasoning (authorial perspective). This is neither pure agreement nor pure disagreement—it's a layered presentation where B deepens and expands on A's introduction.

Question:

"Which of the following best expresses the main point of Passage B?"

Logical Reasoning Strategy:

To identify the main point, look for:

• The statement that is supported by other claims but doesn't itself support anything else
• The conclusion that the author spends most time defending
• Language indicating opinion or judgment (should, must, ought)
• The "so what?" of the passage—what's the author's ultimate point?

Answer & Explanation:

The main point of Passage B is that cosmic justice should not be pursued in human legal systems because it requires omniscience that humans lack. Sowell argues that traditional justice, focused on fair processes rather than perfect outcomes, is the appropriate standard for human institutions.

Key Insight: The main point is normative (what should be done), not merely descriptive. Sowell isn't just explaining cosmic justice—he's arguing against its application in law.

Question:

"Based on Passage B, which of the following would Sowell most likely agree with regarding a criminal trial?"

Logical Reasoning Strategy:

For inference questions:

• The answer must be directly supported by passage content
• Avoid answers that require outside knowledge
• Look for what must be true given the author's stated views
• Apply the author's principles to new scenarios
• Eliminate answers that go beyond reasonable inference

Sample Answer & Explanation:

Sowell would most likely agree that: "A defendant has received justice if the trial was conducted under fair rules with an impartial judge and jury, regardless of whether the outcome accounts for all circumstances of the defendant's life."

Reasoning: This inference directly applies Sowell's principle that traditional justice focuses on fair processes, not perfect outcomes. The key phrase "regardless of whether the outcome accounts for all circumstances" reflects his rejection of cosmic justice in legal contexts.

Question:

"The relationship between Passage A and Passage B is most analogous to which of the following?"

Logical Reasoning Strategy:

For analogy questions about passage relationships:

• First, clearly identify the relationship structure between the passages
• Consider: perspective (first-person vs. third-person), purpose (explain vs. argue), and content overlap
• Match the structural relationship, not just the topic
• Look for parallel patterns in perspective, purpose, and argumentation

Sample Answer & Explanation:

Correct analogy: "A journalist's article explaining a scientist's theory, followed by the scientist's own published paper defending that theory."

Why This Works: Like Passage A (third-party explanation) and Passage B (Sowell's own argument), this analogy presents an external introduction followed by the originator's direct presentation. Both relationships involve complementary perspectives on the same concept, with the second source providing authorial depth and argumentative force.

Question:

"Which principle discussed in Passage A is most directly illustrated by Sowell's argument in Passage B?"

Logical Reasoning Strategy:

For principle application questions:

• Identify general principles or rules stated in one passage
• Look for specific examples or arguments in the other passage
• Match abstract principle to concrete application
• Ensure the principle-to-example connection is logical and direct

Sample Answer & Explanation:

Principle from Passage A: "Justice systems should focus on implementing fair and impartial processes rather than attempting to achieve perfect outcomes."

Illustration in Passage B: Sowell argues that pursuing cosmic justice (perfect outcomes) in law is misguided because humans lack omniscience, directly exemplifying the principle that processes (which we can control) matter more than perfect results (which we cannot achieve).

Connection: Passage B provides the philosophical reasoning (humans aren't omniscient) that supports Passage A's stated principle about prioritizing processes over results.

Main Point

Identify the primary argument or thesis of one or both passages.

Key: Look for the claim most supported by evidence.

Recognition

Identify what is explicitly stated or directly referenced in the passage(s).

Key: Answer must be directly stated, not inferred.

Inference

Determine what must be true based on passage information, though not explicitly stated.

Key: The answer is necessarily implied by the text.

Author's Attitude

Assess the tone, perspective, or evaluative stance of the author(s).

Key: Pay attention to word choice and framing.

Agreement/Disagreement

Identify points where the two passages align or diverge in their claims.

Key: Carefully distinguish nuanced differences.

Analogy

Find scenarios or relationships that parallel the passage content or structure.

Key: Match structural patterns, not just topics.

1. Argument Structure Mapping

Break down complex passages into logical components:

2. Necessary vs. Sufficient Conditions

Understanding conditional logic is crucial for many LSAT questions:

3. Recognizing Logical Fallacies

Common reasoning errors to watch for in passages and answer choices:

• False Dichotomy: Presenting only two options when more exist
• Hasty Generalization: Drawing broad conclusions from limited evidence
• Ad Hominem: Attacking the person rather than the argument
• Correlation ≠ Causation: Assuming one event causes another because they occur together
• Straw Man: Misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack

4. Identifying Assumptions

Assumptions are unstated premises that bridge the gap between evidence and conclusion:

❌ Bringing Outside Knowledge

Answer questions based solely on passage content. Your personal knowledge about philosophy, law, or Thomas Sowell is irrelevant—only what's stated or implied in the text matters.

❌ Confusing Passage Authors

With paired passages, carefully track which passage contains which information. Passage A discusses Sowell's views; Passage B presents Sowell's own argument. Don't attribute B's claims to A's author.

❌ Over-Inferring

Stay conservative with inferences. The correct answer must be directly supported by passage content, not merely plausible or likely. If it requires multiple logical leaps, it's probably wrong.

❌ Ignoring Qualifiers

Pay attention to words like "some," "most," "all," "never," "typically." These qualifiers change meaning significantly. A statement about "some" cases is very different from "all" cases.

❌ Rushing Through Passages

Invest time in careful initial reading. Skimming to "save time" backfires when you must re-read repeatedly to answer questions. Better to read once attentively than skim multiple times.

❌ Choosing "Sounds Right"

Wrong answers often sound sophisticated or use passage vocabulary deceptively. Always verify that the answer is logically supported, not just familiar-sounding or well-written.

Week 1: Foundation Building

• Study LSAT question types and formats (Khan Academy videos)
• Practice untimed single passages to build comprehension skills
• Learn to identify main points, premises, and conclusions
• Complete 2-3 Reading Comprehension sections untimed

Week 2: Paired Passages Focus

• Study the Cosmic Justice passages on Khan Academy
• Practice identifying relationships between paired passages
• Work through comparative reading questions untimed
• Review explanations for every question, right or wrong

Week 3: Timed Practice

• Begin timing individual passage sets (8-9 minutes each)
• Take at least 2 full timed Reading Comprehension sections
• Analyze timing patterns and adjust strategies
• Focus on efficient elimination of wrong answers

Week 4: Full Practice & Review

• Take full-length practice LSATs under test conditions
• Review all mistakes and understand why you missed questions
• Identify question type patterns where you struggle
• Revisit challenging passages and work through them again

How many paired passage sets appear on the LSAT?

One paired passage set appears in the Reading Comprehension section. The section contains four total passage sets: three single passages and one comparative reading (paired passages) set. Each set has 5-8 questions.

Are paired passages harder than single passages?

Not necessarily. While paired passages require synthesizing across two texts, each individual passage is shorter. The question types are similar, with additional questions about the relationship between passages. With practice, many test-takers find paired passages manageable and even preferable.

Should I read both passages before looking at questions?

Yes, absolutely. Read Passage A first, then immediately read Passage B while noting their relationship. Understanding how the passages connect is essential for comparative questions. Trying to answer questions after reading only one passage will waste time and increase errors.

What's the best order to tackle the four passage sets?

There's no universal "best" order. Many test-takers skim all four passages briefly, then start with the topic that seems most accessible or interesting. Others go in order. Experiment during practice to find what works for you. The key is to complete all questions within the 35-minute time limit.

How can I improve my reading speed without losing comprehension?

Practice active reading: identify main points, conclusions, and supporting evidence as you read. Don't subvocalize (pronounce words mentally). Read LSAT passages daily to build familiarity with dense academic prose. Speed comes naturally with repeated exposure to LSAT-style material.

How important is the Reading Comprehension section for my overall LSAT score?

Very important. Reading Comprehension accounts for approximately one-third of your LSAT score. Moreover, the logical reasoning skills you develop through Reading Comprehension practice directly transfer to the Logical Reasoning sections, which together comprise about two-thirds of your score.