t_n28 wrote:I have two questions, and would appreciate help with them!
1) why is the omission of that is incorrect in option D? is it because it violates the rule of parallelism (as that is apparent in the second half of the sentence after and), or is it because omitting that would change the meaning of the first part of the sentence?
it's the former of these -- violation of parallelism.
the second half of the construction has the signal word "and" followed by "that
the government as a whole spends...". therefore, the word "that" MUST be considered part of this parallel structure, so the left-hand half of the parallel structure must also contain "that".
2) the usage of may: however much united states voters may agree...., it IS difficult to find....
I thought since may indicates a hypothetical situation (we don't know for sure), "would be" is used instead of "is" here which made me think that I shouldn't go with any option that has may. (however much united states voters may agree...it WOULD BE difficult to find...) Would you please explain how may is okay to use here?
the second half of the sentence is not meant to indicate a hypothetical situation; the sentence intends to state AS A FACT that "it is difficult to find broad support for a movement towards a minimal state".
here's an analogy: let's say that i run a men's clothing store, and i state the following in an advertisement:no matter how big or tall you may be, we have a suit for you.
this is the same sort of thing: in this advertisement, i am claiming that my store DEFINITELY has a suit for you, regardless of your size.
the same is happening in the sentence in this thread.