48. Companies are relying more and more on networked computers for such critical tasks as inventory management, electronic funds transfer, and electronic data interchange, in which standard business transactions are handled via computer rather than on paper.

A、 in which standard business transactions are handled via computer rather than on paper
B、 where computers handle standard business transactions rather than on paper
C、 in which computers handle standard business transactions instead of on paper
D、 where standard business transactions are handled, not with paper, but instead via computer
E、 in which standard business transactions are being handled via computer, in place of on paper

【正确答案】 A

【答案解析】 Idiom; Logical Predication; Rhetorical Construction
The concluding comparison in this sentence uses the idiom rather than, which requires parallel structures. In this sentence the prepositional phrase via computer parallels on paper. Substituting where for in which creates a nonstandard idiom.
A Correct. This sentence uses standard idiomatic constructions and avoids the problems that are found in the other versions.
B Where is a nonstandard way to refer to a noun that does not name a location. If electronic data interchange were a location, this version would entail the odd claim that on paper is an alternative location at which computers would be expected to process information.
C The comparison of the clause computers handle... with the prepositional phrase on paper illogically treats a location (on paper) as an alternative to an activity (computers handle).
D As in (B), where is a nonstandard idiom. The commas around not with paper appear to make this phrase parenthetical; thus, it is somewhat unclear what instead via computer is contrasted with.
E The pile of prepositions in the phrase in place of on paper is unnecessarily confusing and wordy.
The correct answer is A.