长难句解析

7. It's not obvious how the capacity to visualize objects and to figure out numerical patterns suits one to answer questions that have eluded some of the best poets and philosophers.
【分析】复合句。主句主干为主系表结构；It's not obvious how...。it 是形式主语，真正的主语是 how 引导的主语从句。在主语从句中，主语是 the capacity；to visualize objects 和 to figure out numerical patterns 是其后置定语；谓语是 suits；宾语是 one；to answer questions...为宾语补足语，其中 that 引导定语从句修饰 questions。
【译文】还没搞清楚的是，那种想象物体和计算数字模式的能力，如何让人能够回答连一些最好的诗人和哲学家都唯恐避之不及的问题。

8. Superhigh scores like vos Savant's are no longer possible, because scoring is now based on a statistical population distribution among age peers, rather than simply dividing the mental age by the chronological age and multiplying by 100.
【分析】复合句。主句主干为 Superhigh scores are no longer possible。介词短语 like vos Savant's 作 Superhigh scores 的后置定语；because 引导原因状语从句。
【译文】像冯·莎凡那样的超高分也不会再出现了，因为现在的评分以同龄人的人口分布统计数字为基础，而不仅仅是用智力年龄除以生理年龄再乘以100.

语法拓展

rather than 的用法小结
rather than 是一个并列连词，与 would 连用时构成 "would rather...than..."句式，意思是“宁愿...而不愿...”表示主观愿望，即在二者中择其一；例如：she'd rather die than lose the freedom. 她宁愿死也不愿失去自由。rather than 不与 would 连用时，表示客观事实，意为“是...而不是...;与其...不如...”，它连接的并列成分可以是名词等；例如：与其说他是一位益友，不如说他是一位良师。