Unlike that of earlier works on slavery, Blassingame’s innovative stud

"Unlike" is a comparison marker - once you see a comparison marker, try to identify the two items being compared. One side will generally be easy to identify, in this case "study". Thus you will need to find an option that compares something valid with "study". Once you realize that "works" is the valid thing to compare with "study", A, B, C and E can be directly eliminated:

A. One side (left side) of the comparison is problematic ("that" instead of "works").
B. Both sides of the comparison is problematic ("that" instead of "works" and "Blassingame" instead of "study")-
C. One side (right side) of the comparison is problematic ("Blassingame" instead of "study")-
D. Both sides alright.
E. One side (right side) of the comparison is problematic ("Blassingame" instead of "study")-

This is a comparision question
so we need to compare comparable things
here in above question that of earlier work is compared to Blassingame's innovative work and
this comparision is not correct
here in this question something possessed by earliear work is compared to the innovative work.
so we need to compare work to work.
and only option D compares two study correctly.

A. Incorrectthat of earlier words on slavery, Blassingame’s. reason why
this answer choice is wrong is stated above.
B. Incorrecthat of earlier works on slavery, Blassingame in his. same
comparision issue. something possessed by works on slavery is compared to human Blassingame.
C. Incorrectearlier works on slavery, Blassingame in his
for the reason stated above
D. Correctearlier works on slavery, Blassingame’s
both kind of works are correctly compared
E. Incorrectthe earlier works on slavery, Blassingame in his
same as option C.
hence D

Hi,
Use of that of is very confusing. I have read all the posts and there are various opinions. Experts... chetan2u egmat Can you please clear my confusion?
1. what exactly is that of referring to? One post says it is referring to earlier works and since it is referring to earlier works(plural), a plural pronoun those of should be used. Will the sentence be right if we use those of instead of that of? But what is the point of using a pronoun here in the first place. Can't we just say "unlike earlier works on slavery"? Will this change the meaning?
2. I feel that of is not referring to anything. It has no antecedent. Am i right? Also in general context can that of refer to any part of the sentence?

but is A will be considered wrong due to redundancy?

Also, there is a definite logic issue also here Prashant.

A would read:

Unlike study of earlier works on slavery, Blassingame’s innovative study does not rely on the records of White slave owners....

This clearly means that study of earlier works on slavery relies on the records of White slave owners.

But if you think about it, this meaning is absurd; how can study of earlier works on slavery rely on the records of White slave owners?

Logically it can only be the earlier works on slavery that rely on the records of White slave owners.

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