Illogical comparison
SAT glossary · Course Foundations
Definition
Comparing unlike kinds — an output to a kiln, a benefit to an analysis, a set of plays to a man. The sentence sounds fine because the reader silently repairs it; the examination tests whether you repair it or notice it, and the fix is 'that of' (singular) or 'those of' (plural), whose presence in an option signals the item is testing comparison logic.
Illogical comparison in plain English
An illogical comparison happens when a sentence compares two things that AREN'T actually the same type of thing — like comparing a factory's OUTPUT to an actual KILN (a physical object), or a BENEFIT to an ANALYSIS, or a set of PLAYS to a PERSON. These sentences often sound totally fine on a casual read, because your brain automatically and silently 'fixes' the comparison in your head without you noticing — but the test is checking whether you consciously catch the flaw. The standard fix uses the word 'that' (for a singular comparison) or 'those' (for a plural one) — so if you spot 'that of' or 'those of' sitting in an answer choice, that's usually a signal the question is specifically testing comparison logic.
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