<li>Just as Ireland has produced many famous writers and the Netherlands an abundance of famous painters, so Finland has provided a large number of famous architects. </li>
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<p>The answer is (a) meaning the original sentence is fine. How does “so” make sense. </p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>This is an idiom that goes: Just as...., so....</p>
<p>"So" in this case means "in this way" or "in the same way" - Finland produces architects the same way Ireland produces writers.</p>
<p>Okay thanks, I did not know there was an idiom "just as.. so"</p>
<p>Oh haha.. I did this exact question yesterday.. And I had no idea there's an idiom like that. Thanks!</p>