Buying elaborate screensavers—programs that put moving images on...
(A) A school that chooses textbooks based on student preference may not get the most economical package.
This option suggests that choosing textbooks based on student preference may not be the most economical choice for the school. However, it does not directly relate to the principle of the cost of an action outweighing its benefits.
(B) An energy-efficient insulation system may cost more up front but will ultimately save money over the life of the house.
This option presents a scenario where an upfront investment in an energy-efficient insulation system may initially cost more but ultimately save money over time. While it involves cost and benefits, it does not align closely with the principle illustrated in the scenario.
(C) The time that it takes to have a pizza delivered may be longer than it takes to cook a complete dinner.
This option compares the time it takes to have a pizza delivered to the time it takes to cook a complete dinner. Although it involves time considerations, it does not directly relate to the principle discussed in the scenario.
(D) A complicated hotel security system may cost more in customer goodwill than it saves in losses by theft.
This option closely aligns with the principle illustrated in the scenario. It suggests that the cost of implementing a complicated hotel security system may exceed the benefits it provides in terms of losses by theft. In this case, the potential loss of customer goodwill outweighs the monetary savings.
(E) An electronic keyboard may be cheaper to buy than a piano but more expensive to repair.
This option presents a scenario where an electronic keyboard may have a lower upfront cost compared to a piano, but it may incur higher expenses for repairs. Although it involves cost considerations, it does not directly relate to the principle discussed in the scenario.
Among the given options, option (D) most closely conforms to the principle illustrated in the scenario, as it emphasizes that the cost in terms of customer goodwill may outweigh the benefits of implementing a complicated hotel security system.