In the following question, a sentence is given with a blank that must be filled with an appropriate word. Select the correct alternative out of the four options. The diamond necklace was _______ too extravagant for a simple dinner party.

Introduction / Context:
This English grammar question tests a very common collocation in everyday usage: the phrase far too plus an adjective. The sentence describes how the diamond necklace did not suit the occasion because it was excessive for a simple dinner party. The blank must be filled with a word that forms a natural expression with too extravagant and accurately reflects the degree of excess implied by the context.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence: The diamond necklace was _______ too extravagant for a simple dinner party.
• Options: distance, long, very much, far.
• The speaker is criticising the necklace as being more elaborate than appropriate for a modest event.
• We assume standard modern English usage of degree modifiers before adjectives.

Concept / Approach:
In English, the set phrase far too is frequently used before an adjective to emphasise that something is much more than necessary or suitable. Examples include far too expensive, far too late, or far too formal. The word far in such phrases functions as an intensifier. The other options either do not collocate with too in this way or change the meaning in an unnatural manner. The approach is to identify which option forms a fixed, idiomatic combination with too extravagant and also matches the idea that the necklace is excessively fancy for the occasion.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the pattern in the sentence: was _______ too extravagant. This suggests a degree adverb before too.Step 2: Test the phrase far too extravagant, which is a common expression used to indicate a strong degree of excess.Step 3: Check the contextual meaning. For a simple dinner party, a diamond necklace being far too extravagant is logical and natural.Step 4: Test the other options: distance too extravagant, long too extravagant, and very much too extravagant. All of these sound ungrammatical or awkward.Step 5: Conclude that far is the only option that completes the well known collocation far too extravagant and fits the context perfectly.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consider similar sentences. We say The dress was far too formal for a picnic and This car is far too costly for my budget. In each case far strengthens too plus an adjective. Substituting very much would give very much too extravagant, which is not standard usage. Distance and long do not act as degree adverbs here and cannot modify too extravagant correctly. Reading the sentence aloud with far inserted shows that it flows naturally and communicates the intended meaning of strong excess.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Distance: This is a noun and cannot function as a degree adverb in this structure. Long: This normally describes length or duration and does not collocate with too in front of extravagant in this way. Very much: Although very much can modify verbs and some phrases, it does not fit between the verb was and too in this pattern; very much too extravagant sounds incorrect in careful English. None of these options forms a recognised collocation in this sentence.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may be tempted by very much because they know it is used to show a high degree, but they may not recall the exact word order rules. Others may overlook the fact that grammar questions often test fixed expressions such as far too. The safest strategy is to rely on hearing how native-like the phrase sounds and to recall similar examples from reading or listening. Once a student internalises far too as a common pattern, this type of question becomes easy to answer.

Final Answer:
The correct word that completes the sentence naturally is far, forming the idiomatic phrase far too extravagant.