attend on and much as

[jiang]

Dear teachers,

I have two questions to ask:

No.1

Altough I had been invited to the opening ceremony, I was unable to attend ____________ such short notice.
a. to b. in c. with d. on

The key is "d". Could you please explain what the sentence means?

No.2
It is not so much the language _________ the cultural background that makes the book difficult to understand.
a. but b. nor c. as d. like

The key is "c". Could you please explain the rule? Does the sentence mean it is the cultural background that makes the book difficult to understand rather than the language?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thank you in advance.

Jiang

[Tdol]

On/at such short notice = without being informed beforehand

2- Yes.

[jiang]

Dear tdol,
Thank you very much for your explanation. Now I see.

Jiang

On/at such short notice = without being informed beforehand

2- Yes.