Question

isnt 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 wrestlers 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 of the following statements best summarizes the incentive system that ranks sumo wrestlers?
the incentive system penalizes elite sumo wrestlers.
the incentive system rewards elite sumo wrestlers.
the incentive system treats all sumo wrestlers equally.
the incentive system treats all sumo wrestlers like royalty.

Explanation:

The text states that low - ranked wrestlers have to serve superiors (preparing meals, cleaning quarters, etc.). A wrestler's ranking is based on tournament performance. A winning record (eight or more victories) leads to a rise in ranking. The eighth victory is crucial for promotion. This shows that better - performing (elite, in a sense as they can get higher rankings through wins) wrestlers are rewarded (with higher rankings which likely come with better treatment as opposed to low - ranked wrestlers who have servile tasks). The first option about penalizing elite is wrong as the system is based on performance (wins lead to rewards). The third option (treats all equally) is incorrect because of the differential treatment based on rank (low - ranked have to do tasks for superiors). The fourth option (treats all like royalty) is false as low - ranked have menial tasks.

Answer:

The incentive system rewards elite sumo wrestlers.