The exterior air intake must not be located in the __________ or ____________ of the house.

The correct answer highlights important safety and health concerns related to air intake locations in residential buildings. Placing an exterior air intake in the garage or basement can potentially introduce harmful pollutants and contaminants into the home's air supply.

Garages often contain vehicles, lawn equipment, and chemicals that can release exhaust fumes or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). If the air intake is positioned here, there’s a significant risk of drawing these pollutants into the living spaces, which can pose serious health risks to occupants.

Similarly, basements can be prone to issues like dampness, mold, and radon gas. An air intake located in the basement could bring these hazardous elements into the home, negatively impacting air quality and safety.

The other choices involve locations that are not typically associated with such high risks for harmful pollutants. For instance, living rooms and kitchens generally maintain better air quality and do not contain the same kinds of dangers that you might find in garages or basements. Thus, ensuring that air intakes are positioned correctly is critical for protecting the health and well-being of residents within a home.