The recent rise of low-cost airlines in Country Y has led to great inc

Author is saying more flights mean more pollution, hence more hidden cost. Then he says problem is if we impose such costs on people, they will move to other forms of transportation. We need to provide some solution to resolve this problem or prevent people to move to other forms.

(A) Restricting the number of daily flights permitted in Country Y --> That is not the goal. Our goal to prevent people to switch their form of transportation.

(B) Using the fees imposed on air travel to educate the public about the effects of air pollution on global warming --> Again, if they are not wiling to pay this fee, how can we use that fee?

(C) Setting clear, specific recommendations for the long-term reduction in exhaust emissions by automobile transportation in the country --> People are not bothered about this. They can still switch.

(D) Asking airplane manufacturers to study the possibility of creating airplanes that produce less air pollution --> Future? Do you think people will pay more now and donot switch?

(E) Imposing substantial fees on all forms of motorized transportation, in proportion to the amount of pollution caused by each form --> Okay, so now they have to pay more on everything, not just flights. hence, chances are they will not switch.
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Understanding the passage:

The recent rise of low-cost airlines in Country Y has led to great increases in the number of air travelers and flights.
Non-expensive air travel is now widespread in Country Y. The number of air passengers and flights have increased very much.

However, a “hidden cost” of flying and certain other forms of travel is the significant amount of air pollution, which contributes to global warming.
But (notice the contrast expressed by "however", the statement is in opposite direction to the previous one) the problem of such an increase is that flying, like some other forms of travel makes a noticeable impact on the environment by air pollution, one reason that also causes global warming.

To make people pay these hidden costs-and in the process discourage the explosive growth in flying-the government of Country Y plans to impose fees on all air travel.
Country Y's government plans to impose a fee on all forms of air travel for two reasons:
1. To make the air travelers pay for the hidden costs due to air pollution and global warming.
2. To slow down the rapid growth in air travel.

There is a problem, however, in that many residents of Country Y would then use automobile transportation instead, without paying the hidden costs of the resulting air pollution.
Yet (notice that we take another turn in direction here), We do not know how many residents of Y will choose automobile transportation instead of paying for the air pollution they cause, given that only air travel is charged this way.

Question stem Analysis

Which of the following additions to the government's plan would be likely to help most in overcoming the problem referred to in the final sentence above?

We need to find an additional information, which can supplement the government's plan (in other words, add to it) to overcome the problem mentioned in the past sentence most effectively.

Prethinking:

The problem mentioned in the last statement is that instead of paying for the air pollution they cause, travelers may side-step it by choosing automobile transport. We need a statement that strengthens the notion that the plan will make the travelers pay for the hidden costs of air pollution they make. So, our strengthen framework is formed along the lines that tell us there is provision to penalize the automobile users for the air pollution they cause as well. We can look into the options to see if any answers fit in.

Option Analysis

(A) Restricting the number of daily flights permitted in Country Y
This option may sound attractive because it can limit the amount of air pollution caused by flights. But the problem we need to address is whether the passengers can sidestep paying for the pollution they cause by using automobiles. This option is helpless when it comes to that step.

(B) Using the fees imposed on air travel to educate the public about the effects of air pollution on global warming
This option tells us what can be done if the travelers do pay the fees. This is the step after what we are bothered about. Therefore this is also not relevant.

(C) Setting clear, specific recommendations for the long-term reduction in exhaust emissions by automobile transportation in the country
This again, can help in controlling the air pollution when travelers switch to automobile transportation. But it does not still say anything about paying for the hidden costs.

(D) Asking airplane manufacturers to study the possibility of creating airplanes that produce less air pollution
This option shifts the entire attention to the plane manufacturers from the focus of the question- the hidden cost payment by travelers. Even if the pollution is low, the travelers should still cover for their hidden costs and even if they don't use the flights, they should do the same. Therefore this option is irrelevant as well.

(E) Imposing substantial fees on all forms of motorized transportation, in proportion to the amount of pollution caused by each form
This option effectively addressed the issue of paying for the hidden costs due to air pollution even if the travelers switch from flights to automobile transportation.This statement is in accordance to our prethinking and hence forms the right answer.
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