How will the right answer fit in terms of support and conclusion?

Only the right answer will match your highlighted conclusion.

Highlight the main conclusion in the passage, if there is one:

we can expect the volume of freight shipped by rail to grow.

[BACKGROUND]. [SUPPORT]. This means that [CONCLUSION]. [SUPPORT].

Map the wording of the answers to the wording of the passage:

(A) The volume of freight shipped by rail can be expected to increase.

You love when (A) is a perfect match. You can just pick this and keep moving.

(B) Increasing reliance on automation…

…was only mentioned in the background.

(C) No reduction in operating costs is predicted for the trucking industry.

This matches the support at the end. That gives me an excuse to remind you that just because it’s at the end doesn’t mean it’s a conclusion.

(D) Operating costs for railroads have been reduced…

That matches the support that came right before the conclusion.

(E) The chief competitor of railway shipping is shipping by truck.

This is part of the support, and no support is given for it, so it’s not a conclusion.

(A) is the correct answer.