1. In the United States , systems of proportional representation are uncommon , especially above the local level , and are entirely absent at the national level .
2. In the United States , systems of proportional representation , especially above the local level , are unusual and are completely absent at the national level .

Select your answer from the options. Are these two sentences paraphrases of each other?
Choose your answer from: (1). no. (2). yes....I think the answer is
(2).