1.what it was in the novel that made him burst into tears是强调句型的特殊疑问句,在句中充当know的宾语从句.
该强调句型的陈述句为：it was ...in the novel that made him burst into tears
楼主应该知道强调句型的语法吧：it is/was + 强调部分 + that + 句子未强调部分.
对...即强调部分划线提问,则其特殊疑问句为：what was it in the novel that made him burst into tears
该疑问句改作宾语从句,则变换句序为：what it was in the novel that made him burst into tears
2.be different than...= be different from...,前面一种是美式英语用法,在英式英语中甚至也用be different to.
than的确表示比较,但是不一定都是用比较级形式.
再如：He is more foolish than brave.
与其说他勇敢,不如说他愚蠢.
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