Unlike the invasions of the Italian peninsula by sea as had been done

OFFICIAL EXPLANATION







MAGOOSH OFFICIAL EXPLANATION

In a logically sound comparison, we must compare like to like.
We can compare invasion to invasion, person to person, etc., but we cannot compare an invasion to a person.

Choice (A) compares invasions to Hannibal.
That is, (A) states, "Unlike the invasions … Hannibal," an illogical comparison.
This choice is incorrect.
Eliminate A

In Choice (B), the comparison is sound, person to person, but the verb tense is strange.
The "previous aggressors" obviously came before Hannibal, and their actions preceded his, so the past perfect tense of had chosen for Hannibal is illogical.
Past perfect describes the earlier of two actions in the past. Hannibal was not the earlier of the two (the further back in time).
This choice is incorrect.
Eliminate B

Choice (C) states, "Compared all previous aggressors, … the choice of Hannibal," and thus compares people to the choice made by one person.
That’s an illogical comparison.
This choice is incorrect.
Eliminate C

In Choice (D), the rather than structure compares verbs, so the comparison is invade vs. chose to travel, a sound comparison.
This version is error-free.
KEEP

In Choice (E), the object of the preposition instead of is sea invasions, which is illogically compared to the person Hannibal.
This option's errors are easier to see if we strip the sentence a bit.
E) Instead of . . . sea invasions of the Italian peninsula, Hannibal chose to travel over the Alps . . .
This choice is incorrect.
Eliminate E

The only possible choice is (D).

COMMENTS

This iteration of the Butler crew is in fine form.
Nice work.