代词指代fficeffice" />

11. Based on accounts of various ancient writers, scholars have painted a sketchy picture of the activities of an all-female cult that, perhaps as early as the sixth century B.C., worshipped a goddess known in Latin as Bona Dea, “the good goddess.”

(A) Based on accounts of various ancient writers

(B) Basing it on various ancient writers’ accounts

(C) With accounts of various ancient writers used for a basis

(D) By the accounts of various ancient writers they used（E）

(E) Using accounts of various ancient writers

In choice A, the introductory clause beginning Based on modifies scholars, the noun that immediately follows it: in other words, A says that scholars were based on the accounts of various ancient writers. Choice B is awkward and imprecise in that the referent for the pronoun it is not immediately clear. C and D are also wordy and awkward, and in D By the accounts... they used is an unidiomatic and roundabout way of saying that scholars used the accounts. E, the best choice, is clear and concise; it correctly uses a present participle (or “-ing” verb) to introduce the modifier describing how the scholars worked. By…they use (By和use语意重复)

OG31. Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, there is a disinclination on the part of many people to recognize the degree to which their analytical skills are weak.

(A) Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, there is a disinclination on the part of many people to recognize the degree to which their analytical skills are weak.

(B) Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, which they admit they lack, many people are disinclined to recognize that their analytical skills are weak.

(C) Unlike computer skills or other technical skills, analytical skills bring out a disinclination in many people to recognize that they are weak to a degree.

(D) Many people, willing to admit that they lack computer skills or other technical skills, are disinclined to recognize that their analytical skills are weak.（D）

(E) Many people have a disinclination to recognize the weakness of their analytical skills while willing to admit their lack of computer skills or other technical skills.

Choice D is best. Choice A illogically compares skills to a disinclination; choice B compares skills to many people. Choice C makes the comparison logical by casting analytical skills as the subject of the sentence, but it is awkward and unidiomatic to say skills bring out a disinclination. Also in C, the referent of they is unclear, and weak to a degree changes the meaning of the original statement. In E, have a disinclination... while willing is grammatically incomplete, and admit their lack should be admit to their lack. By making people the subject of the sentence, D best expresses the intended contrast, which pertains not so much to skills as to people’s willingness to recognize different areas of weakness.

35. In June of 1987, The Bridge of Trinquetaille, Vincent van Gogh’s view of an iron bridge over the Rhone sold for $20.2 million and it was the second highest price ever paid for a painting at auction.

(A) Rhone sold for $20.2 million and it was

(B) Rhone, which sold for $20.2 million, was

(C) Rhone, was sold for $20.2 million,

(D) Rhone was sold for $20.2 million, being（C）

(E) Rhone, sold for $20.2 million, and was
A comma(重要语法点) is needed after Rhone in choices A and D to set off the modifying phrase that begins Vincent...; without the comma, the phrase appears to be part of the main clause, and it is thus unclear what noun should govern the verb sold. Furthermore, it in A has no logical referent, and being in D is not idiomatic. Choices B and E produce the illogical statement that the painting was the second highest price. Choice C, the best answer, avoids this problem by using a noun phrase in which price clearly refers to $20.2 million. And by using a comma after Rhone to set off the phrase that modifies The Bridge of Trinquetaille, C makes the painting the subject of was sold.

50. As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision, it would be rated about 20/500, or legally blind if it were an adult with such vision.

(A) As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision, it would be rated about 20/500, or legally blind if it were an adult with such vision.

(B) A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision that would be rated about 20/500, or legally blind as an adult.

(C) As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb, its rudimentary sense of vision would be rated about 20/500; qualifying it to be legally blind if an adult.

(D) A baby emerges from the darkness of the womb with a rudimentary sense of vision that would be rated about 20/500; an adult with such vision would be deemed legally blind.（D）

(E) As a baby emerges from the darkness of the womb, its rudimentary sense of vision, which would deemed legally blind for an adult, would be rated about 20/500.

In choice A, it, the subject of the main clause, seems to refer to baby, the subject of the subordinate clause; thus, A seems to state that the newborn baby, rather than its sense of vision, would be rated 20/500. Similarly, choices B and E use awkward and ambiguous phrasing that suggests that the sense of vision, rather than an adult with 20/500 vision, would be considered legally blind. C incorrectly uses the semicolon, which should separate independent clauses, to set off a verb phrase. The phrase if an adult in C is also illogical, since it states that a baby could also be an adult. D is the best choice.

GEMJ的解释

这个例子并不影响我的结论。
这个题目不选A，是因为A中的第一个IT可能导致混乱和误解，而相比而言，D是多么地完美无缺啊！
更况且A中的第二个it(不论是baby还是 vision)无论指代什么都说不通。ETS在解释错误的时候，好多的错误它不谈，不知是何居心？况且本题的第二个错误更加严重！

再说一遍我的意思：出现这种有可能产生歧义的指代时，也就是句子的有效性（EFFECTIVENESS）出现问题时，我们要高度警惕。如果有更好的选项，则将其抛弃！
但并不是说看它就不可能成为正确的答案。

By the way, xianwharton的确切的意思是什么我还不是十分清楚。
你是说我的什么观点有问题，还是想找一条确定的法则应对所有的题目？

60. According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a majority of young adults, like that of earlier generations.

(A) like that of earlier generations

(B) as that for earlier generations

(C) just as earlier generations did

(D) as have earlier generations（E）

(E) as it was of earlier generations

The intended comparison should be completed by a clause beginning with as and containing a subject and verb that correspond to the subject and verb of the main clause. In E, the best choice, it refers unambiguously to the phrasal subject owning... land, the verb was corresponds to is, and today’s young adults are appropriately compared to earlier generations. Choices A and B lack a verb corresponding to is and a clear referent for that. Choices C and D are confusing and illogical because their verbs, did and have, cannot substitute for is in the main clause.

GEMJ的解释

不是不可以指代，是不能明确地指代a goal。
注意ETS的解释是：
Choices A and B lack a verb corresponding to is and a clear referent for that.

我想ETS在这里说的不能明确地指代a goal是从语法上说的，从逻辑上应该可以搞定THAT的指代对象。

从语法上，并不止你说的这两种可能性（owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land和a goal），还可能指代poll、house、land。从语法上好像没有规则可以排除这些可能性吧？

当然这个题目的主要问题在于结构上不如E完美，E与前面的句子构成了非常好的对称。

129. In an effort to reduce their inventories, Italian vintners have cut prices; their wines have been priced to sell, and they are.

(A) have been priced to sell, and they are

(B) are priced to sell, and they have

(C) are priced to sell, and they do

(D) are being priced to sell, and have（C）

(E) had been priced to sell, and they haveIn choice C, the best answer, do is correctly used in place of the full verb do sell; in this verb, do is a conjugated form and sell is in the infinitive form, corresponding to its previous use in the sentence (in the phrase priced to sell). In choice A, the omitted word is selling; in B, D, and E, it is sold. Neither of these forms corresponds properly to to sell earlier in the sentence. Also, in E, the past perfect had been priced signifies that the wines had been priced to sell before the prices were cut.

182. Consumers may not think of household cleaning products to be hazardous substances, but many of them can be harmful to health, especially if they are used improperly.

(A) Consumers may not think of household cleaning products to be

(B) Consumers may not think of household cleaning products being

(C) A consumer may not think of their household cleaning products being

(D) A consumer may not think of household cleaning products as（D）

(E) Household cleaning products may not be thought of, by consumers, as

A correct sentence will follow the idiomatic form of expression to think of X as Y. Only D, the best choice, uses as in the comparison. The infinitive to be in A and the participle being in B and C cannot grammatically and idiomatically connect those choices to the rest of the sentence. Moreover, in C the plural pronoun their does not agree with the singular noun referent, consumer. E is awkward and wordy in its use of the passive voice.

209. The Senate approved immigration legislation that would grant permanent residency to millions of aliens currently residing here and if employers hired illegal aliens they would be penalized.

(A) if employers hired illegal aliens they would be penalized

(B) hiring illegal aliens would be a penalty for employers

(C) penalize employers who hire illegal aliens

(D) penalizing employers hiring illegal aliens（C）

(E) employers to be penalized for hiring illegal aliens

The sentence contains a relative clause (that...) indicating, in its compound predicate, two effects of the immigration legislation: (it) would grant x and (would) penalize y. The auxiliary would may be omitted before penalize, but the main verbs must remain parallel. Only C, the best choice, observes these conditions. A and B produce incoherent, fused sentences in which the two main clauses are not parallel. Furthermore, in A the referent of they is unclear, and in B the statement hiring illegal aliens would be a penalty makes no sense(没有逻辑主语). D violates parallel structure by substituting a present participle (penalizing) for the second main verb. E introduces an incoherent passive infinitive construction that violates sense and parallel structure.

227. Judicial rules in many states require that the identities of all prosecution witnesses are made known to defendants so they can attempt to rebut the testimony, but the Constitution explicitly requires only that the defendant have the opportunity to confront an accuser in court.

(A) that the identities of all prosecution witnesses are made known to defendants so they can attempt to rebut

(B) that the identities of all prosecution witnesses be made known to defendants so that they can attempt to rebut

(C) that the defendants should know the identities of all prosecution witnesses so they can attempt a rebuttal of

(D) the identities of all prosecution witnesses should be made known to defendants so they can attempt rebutting（B）

(E) making known to defendants the identities of all prosecution witnesses so that they can attempt to rebut

In English the subjunctive mood is used to express a wish or requirement that a certain course of action be taken. Such phrasing takes the form to wish [or] require that x be y, not that x should be y or that x is y. Choice B, therefore, is best. In place of the subjunctive, A uses the indicative are and E uses an awkward gerund, making, while C and D contain the unnecessary should. A and C also omit that after so, and D omits that after require. The phrase attempt to rebut is more idiomatic than the phrases that replace it in C and D. Choices C and E awkwardly place the plural noun witnesses between the plural pronoun they and its referent, defendants.

GEMJ的解释B选项中的they的指代不是完美清晰的。凡是不符合“优先指代”规则的情况都会出现这样的问题。
但不能说这种情况就是指代不清了，因为这个选项从逻辑的角度看，其中they是不可能指代identities的，只能指代人。从逻辑的角度能够清晰地判断其指代对象。
更不能说这就是错误的，毕竟“优先指代”是“优先”，不是永远。
或者说违背“优先指代”规则的选项有可能是正确的选项。
毕竟，世界上没有完美无缺的语言。
或者以安哥的话来说，这只是EFFECTIVENESS的问题，而非CORRECTIVENESS。

234. The physical structure of the human eye enables it to sense light of wavelengths up to 0.0005 millimeters; infrared radiation, however, is invisible because its wavelength—0.1 millimeters—is too long to be registered by the eye.

(A) infrared radiation, however, is invisible because its wavelength—0.1 millimeters—is too long to be registered by the eye

(B) however, the wavelength of infrared radiation—0.1 millimeters—is too long to be registered by the eye making it invisible

(C) infrared radiation, however, is invisible because its wavelength—0.1 millimeters—is too long for the eye to register it

(D) however, because the wavelength of infrared radiation is 0.1 millimeters, it is too long for the eye to register and thus invisible（A）

(E) however, infrared radiation has a wavelength of 0.1 millimeters that is too long for the eye to register, thus making it invisible

Choice A, the best answer, is clear, idiomatic, and grammatically correct. In B, the misplaced participial phrase making it invisible modifies eye rather than wavelength, thus producing a confusing statement that distorts the meaning. In C, D, and E the use of the second it is so imprecise as to be confusing. Furthermore, in D, and thus invisible incorrectly modifies wavelength rather than infrared radiation. Choice E produces an illogical statement by using a restrictive clause introduced by that where a comma followed by the nonrestrictive “which” is required: a wavelength of 0.1 millimeters that is too long nonsensically suggests that not all wavelengths of 0.1 millimeters are too long for the eye to register.

大全12

12. The Olympic Games helped to keep peace among the pugnacious states of the Greek world in that a sacred truce was proclaimed during the festival’s month.
(A) world in that a sacred truce was proclaimed during the festival’s month
(B) world, proclaiming a sacred truce during the festival’s month
(C) world when they proclaimed a sacred truce for the festival month
(D) world, for a sacred truce was proclaimed during the month of the festival
(E) world by proclamation of a sacred truce that was for the month of the festival

Solome的解释The Olympic Games 不能发出这个动作呢proclaimed a sacred truce for the festival month
没有错误

Dreadpower总结fficeffice" />

总结：代词指代，就近指代 (GEMJ说是错误的)or按逻辑意思指代？

在总结时发现代词指代很值得讨论：
观点：代词指代按逻辑意思指代，而非就近指代；
有的表面上看是就近指代，但根本还是按逻辑意思来指代。

1． 代词指代按逻辑意思指代，而非就近指代。
举例：XDF-S7-T24，XDF-S12-T21

XDF-S7-T24
24. Several years ago the diet industry introduced a variety of appetite suppressants, but some of these drugs caused stomach disorders severe enough to have them banned by the Food and Drug Administration.
(A) stomach disorders severe enough to have them
(B) stomach disorders that were severe enough so they were
(C) stomach disorders of such severity so as to be
(D) such severe stomach disorders that they were
(E) such severe stomach disorders as to be
The answer is D.
其中
but some of these drugs caused such severe stomach disorders that they were banned by the Food and Drug Administration.
“they ” 按逻辑意思指代drugs，而非就近指代。

XDF-S12-T21
21. The filibuster, a parliamentary device that slows the snail’s pace that prevails even in the best of times in congressional sessions and tests the endurance of everyone associated with it, seems more and more an anachronism in the age of telecommunications.
(A) sessions and tests the endurance of everyone associated with it, seems
(B) sessions and tests the endurance of everyone who is associated with it, seeming to be
(C) sessions, tests the endurance of everyone associated with it, seems
(D) sessions, that tests the endurance of everyone associated with it and seems
(E) sessions, testing the endurance of everyone associated with it and seeming

The answer is A.

其中
a parliamentary device that slows( the snail’s pace that prevails even in the best of times in congressional sessions) and tests ( the endurance of everyone associated with it)

即a parliamentary device that slows …and tests…
it按逻辑意思指代 a parliamentary device , 而非就近指代。

2．有的表面上看是就近指代，但根本还是按逻辑意思来指代。
举例：XDF-S12-T20，XDF-补充材料-T230

XDF-S12-T20
20. In December of 1987 an automobile manufacturer pleaded no contest to criminal charges of odometer tampering and agreed to pay more than $16 million in civil damages for cars that were test-driven with their odometers disconnected.
(A) cars that were test-driven with their odometers disconnected
(B) cars that it had test-driven with their disconnected odometers
(C) its cars having been test-driven with disconnected odometers
(D) having test-driven cars with their odometers disconnected
(E) having cars that were test-driven with disconnected odometers

The answer is D.

Sb. pay sth. for having test-driven cars with their odometers disconnected.

其中with their odometers disconnected 作定语，修饰cars;
their 按逻辑意思指代cars.
虽然满足就近指代， 但根本还是按逻辑意思来指代。

XDF-补充材料-T230
230. In an effort to reduce their inventories, Italian vintners have cut prices; their wines have been priced to sell, and they are.
(A) have been priced to sell, and they are
(B) are priced to sell, and they have
(C) are priced to sell, and they do
(D) are being priced to sell, and have
(E) had been priced to sell, and they have

The answer is C.其中their wines are priced to sell, and they do.
“they” 按逻辑意思指代wines.
虽然满足就近指代， 但根本还是按逻辑意思来指代。
注意：这里同一句中的their, they 并没有指代同一名词.
their指代前面的Vintners, 而they 指代wines.

结论：代词指代按逻辑意思指代，而非就近指代；
有的表面上看是就近指代，但根本还是按逻辑意思来指代。

113. Although aspirin irritates the stomach, it can be avoided if the aspirin tablet is given a coating that will not dissolve until the tablet reaches the intestine.
(A) Although aspirin irritates the stomach, it
(B) The irritation of the stomach caused by aspirin
(C) The fact that aspirin causes irritation of the stomach
(D) Aspirin causes stomach irritation, although it
(E) Aspirin irritates the stomach, which
做此题时在B,D间不断徘徊，尽管B相对较好，但根据OG, caused by aspirin 可修饰stomach, 产生歧义并导致逻辑不通。
而d, it指代可能产生歧义，但og中代词指代前面就近的名词非常普遍，当然也有不少指代前面主句主语。另外根据lzm的理论，d把原句主从关系颠倒了。
问题讨论：
1、代词指代前面就近的名词和指代主语有无优先级；og上似乎两者都有
2、lzm的句子主要信息和从属信息论在机考中管用么？og中对这一点很少提及，尽管有极少数题说要注意原意

再问代词指代的几个问题[求助] (Ecsniffer)
我知道这两个问题已经有人问过了，但自己仍然不确定所以再问问，赫赫，希望还能帮忙解答一下。
A of B, 代词可否指代这里的B?
A's B, 后文可不可以用its之类的形容词性物主代词指代这里的A's?fficeffice" />

昨天一口气问了很多代词问题，回去好好总结了一下，总结如下：(dreadpower)

我总结的代词原则：
在排除明显的代词指代情况下（如大全49，并列结构，it明显指代主语）
1． 看到代词按照句子的逻辑意思判断这个代词的含义
2． 找句子中是否有相应的可被指代的名词
（1） 找不到——》have not logical reference
（2） 找到——》根据数的一致和有否同样代词指代不同含义原则判断代词是否正确

对于“从句主语代词优先指代主句主语”这个原则，可以运用到2中，但是目的是查找而不是排除选项

所谓的可能引起歧义的代词指代，一律按无歧义的那个意思解，如果选项错，肯定还有其它错的地方。如大全30

说白了，就是只管代词的逻辑意思是否在句中有指代对象，不管语法上的规则（事实也无多少规则，除了：从句主语代词优先指代主句主语这个规则）

总结后只验证了几道题目，也不知道是否正确，请牛人指点

-------A's---------,it/they--------(Ecsniffer)
如果这里的it/they指代A，则必错
这应该也算条语法规则吧

大全49. According to some economists, Japan is in danger of plunging into a depression that, with double-digit unemployment, could severely strain a society that regards lifetime employment as a virtual right of citizenship.

(A) that, with double-digit unemployment, could severely strain

(B) that, because of double-digit unemployment, could be a severe strain for

(C) with double-digit unemployment, and it could severely strain

(D) with double-digit unemployment and could be a severe strain（A）

(E) with double-digit unemployment and could severely strain

gemj和各位看看代词指代混淆的问题(小美人鱼)
13. A majority of the international journalists surveyed view nuclear power stations as unsafe at present but that they will, or could, be made sufficiently safe in the future.
(A) that they will, or could,
(B) that they would, or could,
(C) they will be or could
(D) think that they will be or could
(E) think the power stations would or could

答案D，虽然E中没有代词that,但是在这里不怕指代不清楚吗？如果加上that，是不是E更好呢？

(问)但是我还想问第一题中的D, will and could be为什么不能用can 即，为什么这里用could。

(答GEMJ)they will be or could
我的理解是：
核电站将会或本能够在将来做得更加安全。

“本能够”的意思是，即使将来的核电站不是更安全，那也不是我们做不到。

will be or could表达了一实一虚的两层含义。

(答ecsniffer) could: longman
a) used to say that something is possible or might happen

1) Most accidents in the home could be prevented.

2) It could be weeks before we get a reply.

3) If you're not careful, you could get into even worse trouble.

4) A faulty connection could easily (=would be likely to) cause a fire.

b) used to say that something was a possibility in the past, but did not actually happen

1) Somebody could have been killed.

2) I could have warned you if I had known where you were.

3) He could have escaped, but he chose to stand and fight.

再看，21. A proposal has been made to trim the horns from rhinoceroses to discourage poachers; the question is whether tourists will continue to visit game parks and see rhinoceroses after their horns are trimmed.
(A) whether tourists will continue to visit game parks and see rhinoceroses after their horns are
(B) whether tourists will continue to visit game parks to see one once their horns are
(C) whether tourists will continue to visit game parks to see rhinoceroses once the animals’ horns have been
(D) if tourists will continue to visit game parks and see rhinoceroses once the animals’ horns are
(E) if tourists will continue to visit game parks to see one after the animals’ horns have been

这里答案是C。还是指代不清和清楚的问题。ETS真的是琢磨不透。在这里有开始介意指代不清楚的问题了。

各位发表下意见。除了明显的语法错误之外，怎么样排除指代不清楚的问题。

GEMJ的回答

13题如果在E中加上THAT的话，WOULD也不好。
指代不清的问题我想有，但因为句子的结构是：
A majority of the international journalists ... view (nuclear power stations as unsafe at present) but think (that they will be or could be made sufficiently safe in the future).
view的宾语是nuclear power stations，所以可以很合理地想象THINK的内容也应该是关于nuclear power stations的内容。
也就是THEY应该指代的是nuclear power stations。

代词指代的问题非常复杂，我觉得好象没有一个规则可以解决所有题目，还是要具体问题具体分析。

而21题中，除了C的指代更加清晰外，其他方面A、B也都不如C好。
(A) whether tourists will continue to visit game parks and see rhinoceroses after their horns are
see 前面没有TO，容易引起它与continue 并列的误解。

(B) whether tourists will continue to visit game parks to see one once their horns are
see 后面的宾语不对。

句子改错中，代词是非常重要的一个方面，它与其他的知识点交织在一起来决定哪个选项最好。不应该仅凭它就能确定正确选项，也不应该指望用一条或某些通则就解决所有的代词指代的问题。胡说八道一番，请各位指正！

GEMJ总结 关于代词的指代问题，我想下面几点是明确的：
1) 并无就近指代的规则，如果看到代词就将其等同于前面最靠近它的、在数上与其一致的名词，肯定是错误的。不仅如此，我们也不应该以就近指代的思路想问题；
2) 从句中的做主语的代词优先指代主句主语。这是ETS认可的规则。但注意是“优先”，不是“永远”，否则下面的句子就无法解释了；
12. The Olympic Games helped to keep peace among the pugnacious states of the Greek world in that a sacred truce was proclaimed during the festival’s month.
(A) world in that a sacred truce was proclaimed during the festival’s month
(B) world, proclaiming a sacred truce during the festival’s month
(C) world when they proclaimed a sacred truce for the festival month
(D) world, for a sacred truce was proclaimed during the month of the festival
(E) world by proclamation of a sacred truce that was for the month of the festival
3) 逻辑判定是无比重要的。如果“优先指代”使得句子不通，则需要通过逻辑来判定其指代的对象。当然，这也适合于没有“优先指代”规则可用的情况；
4) 我们不应该试图寻找（实际上也不存在）一条简单的、适用任何情况的通则来判定代词的指代对象。正因为如此，代词的指代问题才具有挑战性，代词指代才能成为ETS喜欢的考点。如果一条简单规则就可以搞定所有题目，那还有考的必要与价值吗？（好比说前人曾提出的“就近指代”的规则就是一种寻求通则的尝试，但这肯定是错误的。在ETS的字典里，绝对没有这条规则）

It指代的讨论(来自于Pumpkin MM)fficeffice" />

OG-8-IT
代词的问题一直是头痛:
8. Lacking information about energy use, people tend to overestimate the amount of energy used by equipment. such as lights, that are visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate that used by unobtrusive equipment, such as water heaters.

A. equipment, such as lights, that are visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate that

B. equipment, such as lights, that are visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate it when

C. equipment, such as lights, that is visible and must be turned on and off and underestimate it when

4. visible equipment, such as lights, that must be turned on and off and underestimate that visible equipment, such as lights, that must be turned on and off and underestimate it when

答案是D米有问题. 想问的是

B,C,E中的IT-用来指代the amount合理么???参考OG199里面的IT. 这里的IT是不是也有这个错误.

Bryony的解释

it 代同物－原物。简单的说，这里就是代： amout used by visible equipment..... 很长的那一串。
that 代同类物。 可以指代amout, 即可以代amout used by any other equipment,
地震的那题也是类似情况。还有OG里面有一条比较protein 的, 好像wheat 和rice 的问题，也涉及到。

Pumpkin的解释

og里头说地震里面的两个地震不是同一个东东, 所以不能用IT来指代. 这个里面的数量 (the amount)偶就是觉得也不是同一个东东, 所以这个里面的IT不能用. -----偶这个理解对不对???

让偶想到那个地震的题目:
199. Because the Earth’s crust is more solid there and thus better able to transmit shock waves, an earthquake of a given magnitude typically devastates an area 100 times greater in the eastern United States than it does in the West.

A. of a given magnitude typically devastates an area 100 times greater in the eastern United States than it does in the West

B. of a given magnitude will typically devastate 100 times the area if it occurs in the eastern United States instead of the West

C. will typically devastate 100 times the area in the eastern United States than one of comparable magnitude occurring in the West

D. in the eastern United States will typically devastate an area 100 times greater than will a quake of comparable magnitude occurring in the West（D）

E. that occurs in the eastern United States will typically devastate 100 times more area than if it occurred with comparable magnitude in the West

At issue is the accurate expression of a complex comparison. Choice D, the best answer, presents the proper form of comparison, will typically devastate an area 100 times greater than will; thus, choice D logically indicates that earthquakes in the eastern United States are 100 times more devastating than are western earthquakes. Choices A, B, and E use it incorrectly to suggest that the same quake strikes both the eastern and the western United States. In choice C, 100 times the area... than is unidiomatic.

19. In addition to having more protein -than wheat does, the protein in rice is higher quality than that in wheat, with more of the amino acids essential to the human diet.

A. the protein in rice is higher quality than that in

B. rice has protein of higher quality than that in

C. the protein in rice is higher in quality than it is in

D. rice protein is higher in quality than it is in

E. rice has a protein higher in quality than

In this sentence, the initial clause modifies the nearest noun, identifying it as the thing being compared with wheat. By making protein the noun modified, choices A, C, and D illogically compare wheat with protein and claim that the protein in rice has more protein than wheat does.

看了大家的讨论深受启发，终于搞懂了一原来没想通的关于比较中的it特指和that泛指的问题。现贴过来供大家归类比较。
17. In the 1980’s the rate of increase of the minority population of the United States was nearly twice as fast as the 1970’s.

A. twice as fast as

B. twice as fast as it was in

C. twice what it was in-正确

D. two times faster than that of

E. two times greater than

As的讨论fficeffice" />

11. Since conscious patients often died of shock on the operating table, the invention of anesthesia was essential to the development of surgery as the invention of the propeller was to powered flight.

A. the invention of anesthesia was essential to the development of surgery as the invention of the propeller was to powered flight

B. inventing anesthesia was as essential for the development of surgery as the invention of the propeller was for powered flight

C. the invention of anesthesia was as essential in the development of surgery much as the invention of the propeller had been for powered flight

D. the invention of anesthesia was as essential to the development of surgery as the invention of the propeller was to powered flight（D）

E. the invention of anesthesia was essential to the development of surgery, so was the invention of the propeller essential to powered flight

(解释ecsniffer) as
in the way that someone says or that something happens, or in the condition something is in

1) Do as I say!

2) We'd better leave things as they are until the police arrive.

3) The money was repaid, as promised.

4) He did not need to keep moving house, as his father had. Roberta was late as usual (=in the way that she usually was) .

下面是solome的解释
11是表示一个平行比较，the invention of anesthesia 对the development of surgery/
the invention of the propeller对powered fight，是一个大平行和两个小平行的并列，所以要使用as...as。

刚才有点醒悟了
这道题目的是要比较the invention of anesthesia 对the development of surgery与the invention of the propeller对powered fight的essential程度是一样的。而比较要用as...as..
而单单as不是用于比较的。而是表示正如....一样
解释的可能不对

解释(dreadpower)

说点个人意见吧：我大概的总结过GMAT中 as的用法：
1。表示比较，接句子，要用逗号分开，意思是：正如。。。

2。可以接名词，不表示比较，意思是：作为

he worked as a driver

3. 引起时间从句，表示：当。。。时候（一个时间

只有这三种用法（目前我没发现其他，请大家指正）

这个题目，乍一看，A满顺口的，我也有选A的冲动

但是，体会句子的逻辑意思，觉得这是两个句子的比较，感觉用as...as...

解释(tianwan)

As引导方式状语从句，as…as引导比较状语从句。也就是说，只牵扯到动词，用as;牵扯到形容词或副词,用as …as. 因为有的语法书也把比较状语as…as归为方式状语的一种,所以只从中文意思上来讲,确实很难分辨.