Select the correct phrase to complete the sentence: 'The reduced fine was due to CSR compliance, ______ political connections.'
答案解析
核心考点：对比连词辨析。
解题思路：需表达'是A而非B'的对比关系。
选项分析：D. rather than正确表对比排除；A. instead需接从句；B. except for表例外；C. besides表包含。
易错点：可能误选A忽略短语结构要求。
正确答案：D