LSAT Explanation PT 24, S3, Q8: Jones is selling a house to

LSAT Question Stem

It can be properly concluded from the information above that 

Logical Reasoning Question Type

This is a Must Be True question. 

Correct Answer

The correct answer to this question is C. 

LSAT Question Complete Explanation

Let's break down the passage first. Jones is selling a house to Smith, and their contract states that for up to a year after the ownership transfer, Jones will be responsible for repairing any "major structural defects" in the roof or roof-supporting components of the house. The house has a truss roof, which means only the exterior walls support the roof. Jones is not responsible for any other repairs.

Now, let's examine the question type and what it's asking us to do. This is a Must Be True (MBT) question, so we need to find the answer choice that can be properly concluded from the information provided in the passage.

Let's analyze each answer choice:

a) Jones did not know of any defects in the roof or roof-supporting components of the house at the time the contract was written.

- The passage does not provide any information about Jones' knowledge of defects at the time the contract was written. We cannot conclude this based on the information given.

b) Although other components of the house may contain defects, the roof and roof-supporting components of the house are currently free from such defects.

- The passage does not provide information about the current condition of the roof and roof-supporting components. We cannot conclude this based on the information given.

c) The contract does not oblige Jones to repair any defects in the house's nonexterior walls after ownership of the house has been transferred.

- This answer choice is correct. The passage states that Jones is only responsible for repairing "major structural defects" in the roof or roof-supporting components, which are the exterior walls. Therefore, it can be properly concluded that Jones is not responsible for repairing defects in the nonexterior walls.

d) Smith will be obliged to repair all structural defects in the house within a year after ownership is transferred, except those for which Jones is responsible.

- The passage does not provide information about Smith's obligations for repairing structural defects. We cannot conclude this based on the information given.

e) In the past, Jones has had to make repairs to some of the house's exterior walls.

- The passage does not provide information about Jones' past repairs to the exterior walls. We cannot conclude this based on the information given.

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is C, as it is the only conclusion that can be properly drawn from the information provided in the passage.