Writing Question

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>While some pundits assert that the total amount of money the United States spends on foreign aid (is) excessive, (another argues) that (compared to) other economically powerful countries, the United States (contributes) an insignificant fraction of its budget to this cause.</p>

<p>The answer is B (another argues), and the book says it’s because it should be parallel to some so it should be “others argue”. I understand that and all, but shouldn’t “compared to” be changed to “compared to that of” because it’s currently comparing the total amount of money to other countries?</p>

2

<p><a href=“another%20argues”>quote</a> that (compared to) other economically powerful countries, the United States (contributes) an insignificant fraction of its budget to this cause.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>no it’s actually being compared to other countries, as the subject of the adjective phrase “compared to other…countries,” is found immediately afterwards in “United States,” a country.</p>

<p>The “others” are arguing a completely different (but relevant) point, and not just the flip side of the first statement about amounts of money.</p>