Come up with a question and stream of consciousness reasoning that would justify this answer: 17
The question is: Pauline will make tacos for dinner. She bought a box of taco shells that cost $5, 4 bell peppers that cost $1.5 each, and 2 pounds of meat that cost $3 per pound. How much did she spend in all?
Stream of consciousness: She spent 4 x $1.5 = $6 for the four bell peppers. She spent 2 x $3 = $6 for the 2 pounds of meat. So, Pauline spent $5 + $6 + $6 = $17 in all.