1.Byron possessed powers of observation that would have made him a great anthropologist and that makes his letters as a group the rival of the best novels of the time.
(A) makes his letters as a group the rival of
(D) make his letters as a group the rival of(D)
(E) make his letters a group which is the rival of
that 应该指代 power
因此,(D) ...power that make his letter as a group the rival of the best novels of the time. 根据前面有位仁兄/mm 讲的 his letter as a goup 作为一个整体, 也就是讲 power 使Byron的 作为一个整体的信 成为那个时代所有优秀小说的 对手
(E) ...power that make his letters a group which is the rival of // 意思为; power 使他的信成为一个(那个时代所有优秀小说的对手)整体,
noun, adjective, verb noun ~ (to sb/sth) (for sth) a person, company, or thing that competes with another in sport, business, etc: The two teams have always been rivals. ◆ The Japanese are our biggest economic rivals. ◆ This latest design has no rivals (= it is easily the best design available). rival adjective [only before noun]: a rival bid / claim / offer ◆ fighting between rival groups ◆ He was shot by a member of a rival gang. verb (-ll-, AmE also -l-) [VN] ~ sb/sth (for / in sth) to be as good, impressive, etc. as sb/sth else: You will find scenery to rival anything you can see in the Alps. ◆ Golf cannot rival football for excitement.