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A fictional licensing statute regulates the sale of cars, vans, jeeps and such other vehicles. A…

Ejusdem generis can limit general words following a list to the class indicated by that list when the statutory conditions are met. The canon does not establish the outcome…

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A fictional licensing statute regulates the sale of cars, vans, jeeps and such other vehicles. A dispute concerns whether the general phrase is confined to vehicles of the same class as those named. Which interpretive canon addresses that question?

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Correct answer D

Ejusdem generis can limit general words following a list to the class indicated by that list when the statutory conditions are met. The canon does not establish the outcome before the text and context are considered.

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Option A

Literal interpretation is the broader practice of reading the enacted words in their ordinary sense. The specific same-class inquiry uses ejusdem generis.

Option B

The golden rule concerns modifying an ordinary reading to avoid an absurd result.

Option C

Reddendo singula singulis matches each word or phrase to its respective referent. This question concerns a general phrase following a list.

Option D

Ejusdem generis asks whether the residual general words should be limited to the class shared by the preceding particulars.

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