【问】 The higher the standard of living and the greater the national wealth，the____.

A. greater is the amount of paper is used

B. greater amount of paper is used

C. amount of paper is used is greater

D. greater the amount of paper used(TOEFL，86. 5)

试题要求选D，但我认为，如果选D，则全句不是一个完整的句子，因为它缺谓语(used是及物动词的过去分词，在这里不能看作是谓语)。

【答】 在the...the结构中，如果谓语动词是联系动词be，可以省略。如果把后面分句(即主句)的谓语动词补上去，则为：“the greater the amount of paper used is”。下面是与试题相类似的实例：

1. The stronger____magnet，the greater the number of lines of magnetic force.

A. of B. the C. is the D. is of the(TOEFL，85.8)

2. The coarser the sediment，____.

A. where the beach is steeper and narrower

B. and the steeper and narrower the beach

C. the beach is steeper and narrower

D. the steeper and narrower the beach(TOEFL，84.8)