Read this excerpt from Levitt and Dubner’s Freakonomics. The incentive scheme that rules sumo is intricate and extraordinarily powerful. Each wrestler maintains a ranking that affects every slice of life; how much money he makes, how large an entourage he carries, how much he gets to eat, sleep, and otherwise take advantage of his success. The sixty-six highest-ranked wrestlers in Japan, comprising the makuuchi and juryo divisions, make up the sumo elite. A wrestler near the top of this elite pyramid may earn millions and is treated like royalty. Any wrestler in the top forty earns at least $170,000 a year. The seventieth-ranked wrestler in Japan, meanwhile, earns only $15,000 a year. Life isn’t very sweet outside the elite. Low-ranked wrestlers must tend to their superiors, preparing their meals and cleaning their quarters and even soaping up their hardest-to-reach body parts. So ranking is everything. A wrestler’s ranking is based on his performance in the elite tournaments that are held six times a year. Each wrestler has fifteen bouts per tournament, one per day over fifteen consecutive days. If he finishes the tournament with a winning record (eight victories or better), his ranking will rise. If he has a losing record, his ranking falls. If it falls far enough, he is booted from the elite rank entirely. The eighth victory in any tournament is therefore critical, the difference between promotion and demotion; it is roughly four times as valuable in the rankings as the typical victory. Based on the excerpt, which statement provides the best example of incentive for a sumo wrestler to cheat? Sumo wrestling is revered in a way that American sports can never be. A sumo wrestler near the top of the elite pyramid may earn millions of dollars. Sumo wrestling has fifteen bouts in each elite tournament. A sumo wrestler must participate in elite tournaments six times a year.
Short Answer 
The excerpt indicates that the significant potential earnings for top-ranked sumo wrestlers, reaching millions of dollars, serve as a powerful incentive for lower-ranked wrestlers to consider cheating. The disparity in financial rewards creates motivation to engage in unethical practices in hopes of rapidly advancing in rank.
Based on the excerpt, the statement that provides the best example of incentive for a sumo wrestler to cheat is: B) A sumo wrestler near the top of the elite pyramid may earn millions of dollars.
Step 1: Understanding the Elite Pyramid
In sumo wrestling, there is a hierarchical structure known as the elite pyramid, where wrestlers are ranked based on their skills. The higher the rank, the more prestigious the position. Wrestlers at the top enjoy not only fame but also substantial financial rewards, as they can earn millions of dollars through prizes and sponsorships. This significant income creates a strong motivation for lower-ranked wrestlers to strive for ascension.
Step 2: Life of Low-Rank Wrestlers
For those in the lower ranks, life can be quite challenging, often described as one of low income and servitude. These wrestlers typically work hard to improve their skills but may find it a long and arduous process to reach the elite level. The disparity between the earnings of top wrestlers and their own financial situation could lead them to consider unethical practices, like cheating, to accelerate their rise through the ranks.
Step 3: The Incentive to Cheat
The potential to earn millions acts as a powerful incentive for lower-ranked sumo wrestlers to cheat. By breaking the rules and using unfair advantages, these wrestlers might believe they can quickly escape their current circumstances. Ultimately, the desire for a better lifestyle and financial success can drive them to make choices that compromise the integrity of the sport.
