The behavior of gases is explained by ____ the kinetic theory.
A. what scientists call B. what do scientists call C. scientists they call D. scientists call it (《大学英语语法讲座和练习》，中国和平出版社，1995年修订第三版，p.449)
书上给的答案是 D。这是我不能理解的。
正确的答案应当是 A。what they call, what is called 是英语里，尤其是论说语体的英语里常用的结构。但是不易为中国学生所理解。对于这类从句可以有两种分析方法：
A. 把 what they call, what is called 看作是半插入语, 因为把它们去掉后, 句子仍然完整:
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The behavior of gases is explained by (what scientists call) the kinetic theory. 气体的特性可用(科学家所谓的)运动论来解释。
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Just as sound travels through the air in waves, so electricity travels through the air in what we call radio waves. 正像声音以波的形式在空气中传播一样，电是以我们称之为无线电波的方式在空气中传播的。
B. 对 what 从句进行全面的句法分析: what 从句是名词性从句, 其中 what 是个关系代词, 在从句中充当主语或宾语。在上面的试题中, what 从句是 by 的宾语从句, 其中 what 为从句宾语, the kinetic theory 为宾语补足语。全句可直译为: 科学家称之为运动论的东西; 可意译为: 科学家所谓的运动论。请分析下列例句:
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Most of what we call geniuses are successful only because they have made extraordinary efforts. 所谓的天才人物大部分只是由于非凡的努力才获得成功的。
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They are what is called “the lowly” in capitalist society. 他们是资本主义社会里所谓的卑贱者。
请做下面的英语试题：
- Benjamin Banneker in the 1791 survey that the of
is now Washington, D. C. (TOEFL)
- In some countries, ____ is called “equality” does not really mean equal rights for all people.
A. which B. what C. that D. one(全国四级,95.6-55)