doubt the answer in 补充题250 - 165

165. To compare the lightning-fast genius of playwright Tom Stoppard with the pedestrian efforts of some of his contemporaries is to compare the exquisite bouquet of a fine wine with that of ordinary grape juice.

(A) To compare the lightning-fast genius of playwright Tom Stoppard with the pedestrian efforts of some of his contemporaries is to compare the exquisite bouquet of a fine wine with that of ordinary grape juice.

(B) To compare the lightning-fast genius of playwright Tom Stoppard with the pedestrian efforts of some of his contemporaries is comparing the exquisite bouquet of a fine wine with that of ordinary grape juice.

(C) Comparing the lightning-fast genius of playwright Tom Stoppard with the pedestrian efforts of some of his contemporaries is to compare the exquisite bouquet of a fine wine with ordinary grape juice.

(D) Comparing the lightning-fast genius of playwright Tom Stoppard with the pedestrian efforts of some of his contemporaries is like comparing the exquisite bouquet of a fine wine with ordinary grape juice.

(E) To compare the lightning-fast genius of playwright Tom Stoppard with the pedestrian efforts of some of his contemporaries is to compare a fine wine’s bouquet with ordinary grape juice’s bouquet.

The answer is (A). However, there is a problem: what is substituted by "that" in "that of ordinary grape juice". It seems that "that" means "exquisite bouquet" rather than "bouquet" in "exquisite bouquet of a fine wine". According to the meaning of the sentence, the comparison of two things with significantly different quality is likened to another comparison, in which the bouquet of a fine wine is compared with the bouquet of ordinary grape juice. Since the grape juice is "ordinary", it is not "exquisite". Thus, (A) does not reflet what it wants to express.

Answer (E) deletes "exquisite", but reflects the meaning: "fine" vs "ordinary" shows the difference in quality. So I prefer (E).

(I cannot input Chinese. Sorry.)

Thanks cranberry.

My problem is: according to (A), "that" in "that of ordinary grape juice" refers to "the exquisite bouquet" in "the exquisite bouquet of a fine wine ". Then the latter comparison is between a good thing with another good thing, while the former comparison is between a good thing with an ordinary thing.

If (A) is correct, then it seems that "that" refers to "bouquet" rather than "the exquisite bouquet". Is it correct?

Ask NNs' help!

that指代问题

agree with LES. just a comment, exquisite is an adj.  but "that" refers to a noun. so, "that" refers only to "bouquet".

Hope that helps.