Q5

[shirando21]

Why can't D be correct?

[giladedelman]

Thanks for your question!

The author is criticizing the economists' position that prosperity should be defined in terms of wealth because to be a useful concept, it must be measurable. The author thinks that this position overlooks really important considerations. She brings in the analogy of the literary critic to give a clearer example of how much you miss when you adopt this perspective.

That's why (E) is correct: the author is trying to show the limitations of the economists' position.

(D) is actually neither here nor there. No one is saying prosperity cannot be quantified. The economists choose a definition of prosperity that can be quantified. The author's response to that is not to say that it can't be quantified; rather, her point is that it is silly to insist on being able to measure something if that leads to ignoring other important information.

Also, the literary critic thing is just an analogy. It isn't evidence of anything, strictly speaking.

The other answers are pretty easy to eliminate:

(A) is out because the author never says anything is subjective.

(B) is way out -- the author is not at all concerned with literary merit, it's just an analogy.

(C) is out because the author is not saying that quality of life is an aesthetic issue.

Hope that answers your question!