<p>[some phrase], the novelist grew less interested in the modern repercussions of the Apollo moonmission than in how [D they affected] international relations at the time.</p>
<p>Why is "they" wrong? I can't seem to tell if the pronoun is supposed to describe either the moon mission of the repercussions.</p>
<p>I thought it would be describing the repercussions which is plural, but it is supposedly describing moon missions? There a reason?</p>
<p>and why is this answer more right:</p>
<p>That Stalin actually murdered Kirov, his popular second in command, remains a mystery, but Stalin's Great Purges prove the ruler had the power to do so.</p>
<p>than:</p>
<p>The actuality of Stalin murdering Kirov, his popular second in command, remains a mystery, but Stalin's Great Purges prove the ruler had the power to do so.</p>
<p>I didn't even know you could start a sentence with "that". When do you use "that"? It seems like a new concept to me!</p>
<p>for the first one, “they” is wrong because it is referring to the moonmission.</p>
<p>the sentence is saying that the moonmission had repercussions (which are effects caused by the moonmission) - the moonmission exerted both modern repercussions and effects on international relations. </p>
<p>its comparing two effects - the “modern repercussions” and the ones on “international relations”</p>
<p>It wouldnt make sense to say that the repercussions affected international relations. Think of “repercussions” as “effects.” It would make sense to say the moonmission affected international relations. This was probably confusing to you because they put the plural “repercussions” first. But you have to understand the meaning of the sentence and not the structure</p>
<p>for the second one, you say “that” to almost mean “the fact that,” but it doesnt have to be a fact; it just has to be a statement
“that there are 50 people living in my home is a lie” is “it is a lie that there are 50 people living in my home”</p>
<p>and you don’t say “the actuality of…” because it sounds awkward, although its grammatically correct. It’s wrong on the SAT because it is awkward. that’s like saying “The having of 5 apples for dinner makes you jealous.” it should be “That I am having 5 apples for dinner makes you jealous” or “the fact that I am having 5 apples for dinner makes you jealous” or “you are jealous because…”</p>