STACEY, RON, PLEASE, HELP WITH THIS QUESTIONS

[tanviet]

So called green taxes, which exact a price for the use of polluting or non renewable fuels, are having a positive effect on the environment and natural resource base of countries //as varied as// China, the Netherlands and Hungary.

A) As varied as
B) As varied as are
C) As varied as those of
D) That are as varied as
E) That are varied as are

this question was discussed but not properly. Please, help me, why B is wrong

[The Jock]

Is the answer A.

WAs confused between A and D. But D changes the meaning very subtly. A is very concise and right answer.

[gmat_perfect]

So called green taxes, which exact a price for the use of polluting or non renewable fuels, are having a positive effect on the environment and natural resource base of countries //as varied as// China, the Netherlands and Hungary.

A) As varied as
B) As varied as are
C) As varied as those of
D) That are as varied as
E) That are varied as are

this question was discussed but not properly. Please, help me, why B is wrong

The skeleton of the sentence:

Green taxes are having positive effects on X of countries as varied as A, B, and C.

If the sentence were as follows:

Green taxes of X are having .........as those of A, B, and C.

Then we have to consider "those of"

Example:

The book of mine is better than that of Karim.

--> This kills C.

Green taxes are having positive efffect on X of countries as varied as ARE A, B, and C.

--> "As varied as are" makes the comparison wrong. Green taxes have been compared with countries.
=> This kills B.

"Countries that are as varied as" changes the meaning of the sentence. It is not country that varies, rather it is the green taxes that vary.
=> This kills D and E.

Answer: A