Critical Reasoning

Ronald: According to my analysis of the national economy, housing prices should not increase during the next six months unless interest rates drop significantly.
Mark: I disagree. One year ago, when interest rates last fell significantly, housing prices did not increase at all.
It can be inferred from the conversation above that Mark has interpreted Ronald’s statement to mean that
(A) housing prices will rise only if interest rates fall
(B) if interest rates fall, housing prices must rise
(C) interest rates and housing prices tend to rise and fall together
(D) interest rates are the only significant economic factor affecting housing prices
(E) interest rates are likely to fall significantly in the next six months
B

B and D are the contenders, I will go with D.

My pick will be "D" as well.
Not sure how OA could be "B" when premise is clearly talking about significant interest drop ???

IMO B

the stem is 'what Mark is interpreting from Ronald's statement'. Per Ronald if the interest rates go down, house prices go up

D. it would have been the correct answer if the stem was 'what can be inferred from this conversation'

sacx wrote:IMO B

the stem is 'what Mark is interpreting from Ronald's statement'. Per Ronald if the interest rates go down, house prices go up

D. it would have been the correct answer if the stem was 'what can be inferred from this conversation'

Isn't Mark also talking about significant interest rate drop ? not just drop in interest rate ?

B IT IS

B.

I CAN'T THINK HOW I COULD BE "D"

krisraam wrote:B.

I CAN'T THINK HOW I COULD BE "D"

I believe premise states if interest rates falls significantly then house price must rise
But as per "B" for any drop in interest rates housing price must fall. I am unable to justify this
Any other view ?

Well. B is close. Even I felt the same as you

I'm with B too.

Unless we know the source.
IMO we shouldn't take OA for granted.
And I am finding hard to justify "B"

amitabhprasad wrote:Unless we know the source.
IMO we shouldn't take OA for granted.
And I am finding hard to justify "B"

altough i was also with D but on close reading i observed that D only states that "the interest rates affects the housing prices"but it does'nt states whether the housing prices will fall or rise, so in that case B gives more clear picture...

any objections to my logic are welcomed.

I am with B

I would prefer B as well.
D is too far fetched!!

I'm with B too