In the following passage about the value of books, choose the most appropriate word to complete the blank: We should read as _____ books as we can.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests knowledge of quantifiers much and many and their correct use with countable and uncountable nouns. In the passage, books are described as our friends and guides, and the writer encourages us to read as a large number of books as possible. The blank appears in the expression as _____ books as we can, and we must choose the quantifier that agrees with the plural countable noun books and conveys the intended encouragement.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The sentence is: We should read as _____ books as we can. - Options are much, many, few and less. - Books is a plural countable noun. - The writer is advising us positively, not warning us to reduce reading.

Concept / Approach:
In English, many is used with plural countable nouns, while much is used with uncountable nouns. Few indicates a small number, often with a negative or limiting sense, and less is generally used with uncountable nouns, or in some informal contexts with countable nouns, to indicate a smaller quantity. The phrase as many books as we can is a fixed and common expression, meaning as large a number of books as is possible for us to read.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that books can be counted one by one, so it is a countable noun. Therefore, we should expect many rather than much or less. Step 2: Insert many in the sentence: We should read as many books as we can. This is a standard pattern used to encourage extensive reading. Step 3: Test much. We should read as much books as we can is incorrect because much does not agree with countable plural nouns like books. Step 4: Test few. We should read as few books as we can suggests that we should restrict reading to a small number, which contradicts the positive message of the passage. Step 5: Test less. We should read as less books as we can is not grammatically standard, and it again gives an undesired meaning of minimising reading.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify by comparing with familiar expressions like as many questions as possible, as many examples as you can find and as many friends as you can make. In all such cases, many appears with plural countable nouns. Similarly, you will see as much water as you can drink or as much information as possible with uncountable nouns. Books belongs clearly to the first group, so as many books as we can is the correct structure.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Much is used with uncountable nouns like water, sugar and information, not with plural countable nouns like books. Option C: Few expresses a small quantity and would communicate the opposite of what the writer intends. Option D: Less is not idiomatic in this expression and also suggests reduction rather than expansion of reading.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent error is to confuse much and many, especially when reading quickly. Learners may also ignore the wider context and choose few or less without noticing that the author is encouraging more reading, not less. To avoid these mistakes, always identify whether the noun is countable or uncountable and check whether the overall message is to increase or decrease the quantity mentioned.

Final Answer:
The correct quantifier is many, so option B is correct.