In this cloze test sentence, select the word that best completes the phrase 'the greatest _____' in the well-known expression 'the greatest good of the greatest _____.'

Introduction / Context:
This question continues the same passage on democracy and completes the classic phrase 'the greatest good of the greatest number'. Having already filled the earlier blank with 'greatest', you now need to choose the correct noun to follow 'the greatest' in 'the greatest _____'. Recognising the full expression and understanding its meaning will guide you to the right answer.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Fragment: 'the greatest good of the greatest _____'.
- Options: 'people', 'digit', 'number', 'individual'.
- The passage discusses democratic ideals of promoting welfare for as many people as possible.

Concept / Approach:
In utilitarian political philosophy, the phrase 'the greatest good of the greatest number' is standard. It means that the best policy is the one that brings the maximum benefit to the maximum number of people. While 'people' and 'number' are related concepts, the exact phrase uses 'number', not 'people'. 'Digit' clearly refers only to numerical symbols, and 'individual' refers to a single person rather than the group. Therefore, you should choose the noun that completes the famous expression correctly.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the expression from civics or ethics: 'the greatest good of the greatest number'. Step 2: Compare 'the greatest number' with 'the greatest people'. The former is the standard, well-known phrase. Step 3: Note that 'digit' is a basic symbol like 1, 2 or 3, which is clearly not intended here. Step 4: Recognise that 'individual' refers to a single person and does not fit after 'greatest' when we are talking about many people. Step 5: Choose 'number' to form the correct fixed expression.

Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute each option in the full sentence: 'Democracy should ensure dignity of the individual. It should also aim at the greatest good of the greatest number.' This sentence is exactly the one often quoted in textbooks. 'Greatest good of the greatest people' sounds odd and is not a recognised phrase. 'Greatest digit' makes no sense in a discussion of democracy, and 'greatest individual' would focus on a single person, contradicting the idea of collective welfare. Therefore, 'number' is the only suitable choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
'People' is wrong in this context because the classic wording is 'greatest number'; while 'people' is semantically related, exam setters usually expect the exact phrase. 'Digit' is wrong because it refers purely to numerical symbols, not groups of human beings. 'Individual' is wrong because democracy aims at the welfare of many individuals taken together, not just one 'greatest individual'.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is choosing 'people' because it seems more direct and human, especially since the phrase discusses welfare. However, cloze tests often rely on the conventional form of famous statements. Another pitfall is not connecting this blank with the previous one, where 'greatest' has already been used. Recognising the two blanks as part of one well-known expression makes the question straightforward.

Final Answer:
The correct word to complete the phrase is number, giving 'the greatest good of the greatest number'.