Sentence Correction

I have am not very clear on comparisons, for this reason, i am raising two questions below

which do you think is most apt?

The number of pages in O.g 10 is higher than that of pages in Og 12

a) that of pages in Og 12 ( in this i think that refers to " the number" and so "of pages" has to be repeated.
b) that in Og 12 ( i think this i better than a) as it is more concise and that refers to the phrase " the number of pages")
c) that of Og 12 (i think the preposition 'of' would not parallel 'in' here)

Ps: I have formulated the sentence on my own. I am asking this only for concept clarity.


According to a recent poll, owning and living in a freestanding house on its own land is still a goal of a
majority of young adults, like that of earlier generations.
(A) like that of earlier generations
(B) as that for earlier generations
(C) just as earlier generations did
(D) as have earlier generations
(E) as it was of earlier generations

The correct answer is E.

The O.g explanation says that choice A lacks a verb corresponding to "is". Would the following sentence be correct?

,like that was of earlier generations.


; second, it says that "that" lacks a clear antecedent.
The answer explanation say in choice E "it" correctly refers to the phrasal subject"owning and living...."
In that case why is there a confusion regarding the antecedent of "that?"


your reply would really be very helpful, thanks
thanks