Thanks for the question! So this question is asking us for the main point of the passage. This is a good thing to think about in our heads before we look at the answer choices, and then look for the answer choice that best matches what we thought up. So what’s a good overall big picture idea of what the main idea of the passage is? It’s basically saying that these economists who think that the penalty should be based only on cost and benefit are wrong, and that there should be another approach. That’s the big overarching idea. And (E) seems up that idea pretty well—the economists’ method is impractical because of detection ratios, and so we need to find another method.
(A) is wrong for a couple of reasons. Remember, the main point of the passage has to be something supported in the passage in the first place, and then something that is actually the main point (as opposed to something just mentioned in one part). (A) isn’t even fully supported by the passage, because in the last paragraph, the author talks about how even taking the detection ratios into account isn’t going to be enough. It also is a bit narrow, since it doesn’t really incorporate the last paragraph about moral weight at all. For these reasons, (A) is incorrect.
Hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions that you might have.
