📖 Introduction
Welcome to LSAT Reading Comprehension Practice – Batch 2 (Questions 34–65). In this set, we dive into complex law, science, history, and comparative passages that mirror real LSAT exam difficulty. Each question comes with step-by-step explanations so you not only see the correct answer but also understand the reasoning behind it.
Whether you are struggling with dense legal philosophy, technical science research, or comparing two contrasting perspectives, this practice set will sharpen your ability to analyze, infer, and evaluate arguments under timed conditions.
Passage 5 (Q34–41): Legal Philosophy – Interpreting Constitutional Rights
Passage (excerpt-style, exam tone):
Constitutional interpretation has long divided jurists between originalists—who argue that the Constitution must be understood as it was at the time it was written—and living constitutionalists—who contend that the Constitution evolves to meet contemporary needs. Originalists maintain that straying from historical meaning undermines democratic legitimacy, while living constitutionalists emphasize adaptability to unforeseen circumstances such as digital privacy. Both perspectives wrestle with how courts can balance fidelity to legal text with responsiveness to modern challenges.
Questions 34–41
Q34. The primary purpose of the passage is to:
A. Describe the historical origins of constitutional interpretation.
B. Contrast two major approaches to interpreting constitutional rights.
C. Argue in favor of originalist philosophy.
D. Explain how courts address digital privacy cases.
✅ Answer: B – The author contrasts originalism and living constitutionalism without endorsing either.
Q35. Which of the following best characterizes originalists according to the passage?
A. They believe the Constitution must adapt to modern challenges.
B. They believe interpretation should remain fixed at historical meaning.
C. They focus primarily on digital privacy issues.
D. They reject the idea of democratic legitimacy.
✅ Answer: B – Originalists are tied to historical meaning.
Q36. The author implies that living constitutionalists would most likely support which of the following?
A. Courts ruling only based on framers’ intent.
B. Judicial interpretations that consider modern technologies.
C. A rejection of constitutional authority.
D. Limiting courts strictly to textual wording.
✅ Answer: B – They emphasize adaptability to contemporary issues.
Q37. The phrase “straying from historical meaning undermines democratic legitimacy” (line 6) suggests originalists believe:
A. Judges who adapt the Constitution exceed their authority.
B. Citizens should vote on all constitutional questions.
C. Modern issues like digital privacy lack legitimacy.
D. Democracy requires frequent constitutional amendments.
✅ Answer: A – They fear judges stepping beyond their authority.
Q38. The passage suggests that both approaches share which challenge?
A. Deciding when to amend the Constitution.
B. Balancing fidelity to text with practical realities.
C. Agreeing on digital privacy standards.
D. Eliminating the role of courts in democracy.
✅ Answer: B – The last line makes this explicit.
Q39. Which of the following, if true, would strengthen the living constitutionalist view?
A. A new technology creates privacy issues unimaginable to the framers.
B. Citizens vote overwhelmingly to support strict originalist judges.
C. Historical documents reveal exact intentions of the framers.
D. Courts lose credibility when they adapt constitutional meaning.
✅ Answer: A – Shows why adaptability is necessary.
Q40. The tone of the passage is best described as:
A. Neutral comparison.
B. Strongly critical of originalism.
C. Persuasive toward living constitutionalism.
D. Informal and conversational.
✅ Answer: A – The tone is balanced.
Q41. Which best describes the structure of the passage?
A. Narrative followed by critique.
B. Presentation of two contrasting positions with a note on shared tension.
C. Argument for one side supported by evidence.
D. Description of historical evolution of constitutional law.
✅ Answer: B – Two contrasting positions + shared challenge.
Passage 6 (Q42–49): Science/Technology – Environmental Research
Passage (excerpt-style, LSAT tone):
For decades, climate scientists have studied how rising global temperatures affect biodiversity. While early models predicted only gradual species migration, more recent research highlights abrupt shifts in ecosystems. For example, coral reefs, once considered relatively resilient, are now bleaching at unprecedented rates due to ocean warming. At the same time, some species adapt faster than expected, suggesting that biodiversity outcomes cannot be captured by linear predictions. Scientists therefore debate whether models should prioritize worst-case scenarios to influence policy or present a range of possible outcomes to avoid alarmism.
Questions 42–49
Q42. The primary purpose of the passage is to:
A. Argue against alarmist environmental predictions.
B. Describe evolving scientific perspectives on biodiversity under climate change.
C. Criticize the resilience of coral reef ecosystems.
D. Defend worst-case scenario modeling.
✅ Answer: B – The passage summarizes shifts in scientific thinking.
Q43. According to the passage, early climate models predicted:
A. Rapid coral bleaching.
B. Gradual migration of species.
C. Complete extinction of vulnerable species.
D. Policy reforms in biodiversity management.
✅ Answer: B – Early models emphasized gradual migration.
Q44. The example of coral reefs serves to illustrate:
A. That predictions about biodiversity were overly optimistic.
B. That coral reefs are unaffected by climate change.
C. That ocean warming is less dangerous than thought.
D. That ecosystems follow linear patterns of adaptation.
✅ Answer: A – The reefs show predictions were too optimistic.
Q45. The author implies that biodiversity outcomes are difficult to predict because:
A. Climate scientists disagree about how to measure temperature rise.
B. Species adapt in ways not captured by earlier models.
C. Governments resist alarmist predictions.
D. Coral reefs dominate the global ecosystem.
✅ Answer: B – Faster-than-expected adaptation complicates predictions.
Q46. Which of the following is most consistent with the passage?
A. Biodiversity predictions must account for both resilience and vulnerability.
B. Scientists should ignore worst-case scenarios.
C. All ecosystems respond to warming in the same way.
D. Models are unnecessary since outcomes are unpredictable.
✅ Answer: A – Balanced between resilience and vulnerability.
Q47. Which viewpoint would a policy-driven scientist most likely endorse?
A. Emphasizing worst-case scenarios to push urgent action.
B. Avoiding climate predictions entirely.
C. Presenting only optimistic outcomes.
D. Suggesting ecosystems are unaffected by warming.
✅ Answer: A – To influence policy, they stress worst-case scenarios.
Q48. The tone of the passage is best described as:
A. Alarmist and emotional.
B. Balanced and analytical.
C. Dismissive of scientific debate.
D. Strongly persuasive in favor of linear models.
✅ Answer: B – The tone weighs both sides analytically.
Q49. Which of the following best describes the passage structure?
A. A critique of early models followed by evidence supporting linear predictions.
B. Presentation of early views, followed by new evidence and current debate.
C. A historical overview of biodiversity research with personal opinion.
D. A defense of alarmist predictions in environmental science.
✅ Answer: B – Early views → new evidence → current debate.
Passage 7 (Q50–57): Humanities/History – Cultural Movements
Passage (excerpt-style, LSAT tone):
In the early twentieth century, the Harlem Renaissance represented not only a flowering of African American literature and art but also a political assertion of identity. Writers such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston challenged prevailing stereotypes, while jazz musicians created forms that profoundly influenced American culture. Yet, historians debate whether the Renaissance was primarily a cultural movement or also an early stage in civil rights activism. Some argue that its emphasis on artistic expression limited its direct political impact, while others contend that cultural pride inevitably fueled later political demands.
Questions 50–57
Q50. The primary purpose of the passage is to:
A. Highlight the political limitations of the Harlem Renaissance.
B. Describe the artistic achievements of Langston Hughes.
C. Summarize competing interpretations of the Harlem Renaissance.
D. Argue that cultural pride cannot fuel political change.
✅ Answer: C – It presents differing historical interpretations.
Q51. According to the passage, jazz musicians in the Harlem Renaissance:
A. Reinforced prevailing cultural stereotypes.
B. Introduced forms that shaped broader American culture.
C. Were more politically active than writers.
D. Focused exclusively on European traditions.
✅ Answer: B – Jazz profoundly influenced American culture.
Q52. The debate described in the passage concerns whether:
A. The Harlem Renaissance was limited to literature.
B. Artistic movements can have political consequences.
C. Langston Hughes opposed Zora Neale Hurston.
D. The Renaissance hindered civil rights progress.
✅ Answer: B – Historians disagree about cultural vs. political impact.
Q53. The passage suggests that those who view the Harlem Renaissance as primarily cultural would likely argue that:
A. It had no influence on later activism.
B. Its artistic focus prevented strong political action.
C. Writers rejected the idea of identity.
D. Jazz was less important than literature.
✅ Answer: B – They see emphasis on art as limiting direct activism.
Q54. Which of the following best captures the author’s stance?
A. The Harlem Renaissance was entirely cultural.
B. The Renaissance had both cultural and political dimensions.
C. Historians unanimously agree on its meaning.
D. Its political significance outweighs artistic achievements.
✅ Answer: B – The author presents both cultural and political elements.
Q55. The tone of the passage is best described as:
A. Neutral and interpretive.
B. Strongly argumentative.
C. Dismissive of political interpretations.
D. Enthusiastic and celebratory.
✅ Answer: A – Neutral, weighing multiple perspectives.
Q56. The passage implies that cultural pride in the Harlem Renaissance:
A. Inevitably contributed to later political activism.
B. Was irrelevant to civil rights movements.
C. Focused only on literature, not music.
D. Rejected the idea of African American identity.
✅ Answer: A – Pride is said to fuel later political demands.
Q57. Which of the following best describes the structure of the passage?
A. A presentation of cultural achievements followed by a debate about political significance.
B. A critique of Langston Hughes’s work followed by a defense of jazz.
C. A detailed account of civil rights history followed by artistic discussion.
D. A chronological narrative of the Harlem Renaissance.
✅ Answer: A – Achievements → debate about meaning.
Passage 8 (Q58–65): Comparative Reading – Constitutional Interpretation
Passage A (excerpt-style, LSAT tone):
Some legal scholars argue that constitutional interpretation must adhere strictly to the original intentions of the framers. According to this view, often called originalism, judges should avoid imposing modern values that the framers could not have anticipated. Only by grounding rulings in the historical meaning of the text can courts maintain legitimacy and prevent judicial activism.
Passage B (excerpt-style, LSAT tone):
Other scholars contend that the Constitution must be understood as a living document. They argue that rigid adherence to eighteenth-century intent ignores social, technological, and political changes. Courts, in this view, must interpret constitutional principles dynamically, ensuring that rights remain relevant in a modern context.
Questions 58–65
Q58. The primary difference between Passage A and Passage B is that:
A. Passage A emphasizes historical intent; Passage B emphasizes evolving application.
B. Passage A supports judicial activism; Passage B opposes it.
C. Passage A denies the authority of the Constitution; Passage B affirms it.
D. Passage A focuses on technology; Passage B focuses on history.
✅ Answer: A
Q59. The author of Passage A would most likely criticize the author of Passage B for:
A. Misinterpreting the role of the framers.
B. Allowing modern judges to override historical constraints.
C. Ignoring the importance of constitutional legitimacy.
D. Suggesting the Constitution has no binding meaning.
✅ Answer: B
Q60. The author of Passage B would most likely respond that:
A. Modern judges are less capable than eighteenth-century framers.
B. Strict originalism risks making constitutional law irrelevant today.
C. Historical context is always meaningless.
D. Judicial legitimacy depends only on politics.
✅ Answer: B
Q61. Both passages agree that:
A. Courts play a critical role in interpreting constitutional principles.
B. Judicial activism is necessary for legal legitimacy.
C. The framers’ intent is irrelevant.
D. Technology should determine constitutional meaning.
✅ Answer: A
Q62. Which of the following best describes the tone of Passage A?
A. Neutral but cautious.
B. Critical and prescriptive.
C. Skeptical and ironic.
D. Detached and narrative.
✅ Answer: B – Strong warning against activism.
Q63. Which of the following best describes the tone of Passage B?
A. Optimistic and adaptive.
B. Dismissive of law altogether.
C. Fearful of judicial power.
D. Focused solely on politics.
✅ Answer: A – Emphasizes adaptability and relevance.
Q64. Suppose a new constitutional issue arises involving digital privacy. Which passage would likely endorse applying the Constitution beyond its original meaning?
A. Passage A.
B. Passage B.
C. Both A and B.
D. Neither A nor B.
✅ Answer: B – Living document approach.
Q65. The relationship between Passage A and Passage B is best described as:
A. Two complementary perspectives.
B. Two conflicting views on constitutional interpretation.
C. A case study and its historical background.
D. A neutral overview of political events.
✅ Answer: B
- [LSAT Reading Comprehension Batch 1 – Questions 1–33]
- [LSAT Analytical Reasoning Practice Sets]
- [LSAT Logical Reasoning MCQs with Explanations]
🏁 Conclusion
By working through these LSAT Reading Comprehension practice questions (Q34–65), you strengthen your skills in handling the trickiest passages that often appear on test day. Consistent practice with detailed explanations is the key to achieving a high LSAT score.
👉 Next: Check out our Batch 3 LSAT Reading Comprehension set (Q66–100) for more advanced passages and practice questions.