请教一道语法题

delldell

Even as they never forgave the Crusaders who overran their homeland, the Syrians have never absolved the French for taking territory from them.

(A) Even as they never forgave

(B) While they never forgave

(C) Just like they never forgave

(D) Similarly to not forgiving（A）

(E) In spite of their never forgiving

这道题前面的贴子没有给出解释, 我想请问, even 在这里是什么意思

16.   Factory outlet stores, operated by manufacturers, are usually located miles from downtown and regional shopping centers so as not directly to be competitive against department stores in the same trading area.

(A) so as not directly to be competitive against

(B) in order for them not to have direct competition with

(C) so that they do not compete directly with

(D) in order that they are not directly competitive against（C）

(E) for the purpose of not competing directly with

这道题A错在哪里呢? C中的they指代不模糊么? 前面的贴子没解释

[此贴子已经被作者于2004-5-2 11:28:09编辑过]

tianwan

1，even as：正如。

2，be competitive against好像没有这个用法。so as not to被directly分开了。