Q9

[skullycar]

I don't fully understand why the wrong answers are wrong.

For example, is B) wrong because although there is mention of "antiquity" (medieval theatrical conventions) and "contemporary" (modern courtroom procedures), there is no hint of the contemporary being ignored?

[ohthatpatrick]

Thanks for the question!

Let's find the Proof Window in the passage for "the kind of interpretive theory" we're looking for.

Cool, lines 18-21.

We want one that
1. acknowledges antiquity of common law
(appreciates that much of common law is based on centuries old precedent)
but
2. ignores the practical contemporary significance
(doesn't do a good job of connecting the past to the present)

(A) this is the opposite of #2. It DOES connect the medieval to the modern.

(B) this also compares modern to medieval

(C) Looks great. "analyzed medieval without examining modern"

(D) this fails to do #1. This is just looking at modern common law in two different countries.

(E) this fails to do either. It's just comparing 'civil' to 'criminal'

Hope this helps.

[LSATN100]

I did this question wrong. After review, I realize that the key is to understand the meaning of "contemporary" correctly.
The word "contemporary" has two meanings:
1. belonging to the same time.
2. belonging to the present time.
In the sentence, it employs the second meaning. So "contemporary significance" means "the lessons that the ancient law can teach us (modern society)."
I mistook the word "contemporary" for its first meaning.