In the following passage, choose the most appropriate preposition to complete the sentence: “The woodpeckers of the West (with one exception) are different ______ those of the East.”

Introduction / Context:
This English grammar question tests the correct use of prepositions after the adjective “different” in a formal sentence. Many learners of English find preposition choice confusing because several options may sound acceptable in casual speech, but only one fits standard written English. Here, we read a sentence about birds in the western and eastern regions, and we must decide which preposition best completes the phrase “different ______ those of the East.” Understanding collocations, or words that naturally go together, is the key concept in this item. The explanation will show why “different from” is the standard and precise choice in this context.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The sentence given is: “The woodpeckers of the West (with one exception) are different ______ those of the East.”
We are told that we must choose the most appropriate preposition from the four options.
The subject is a comparison between birds of the West and birds of the East.
We assume the register is standard educated English, as used in exams and good writing.

Concept / Approach:
In standard British and Indian English, the usual pattern is “different from.” American English also uses “different from” as the safest and most formal choice, even though “different than” appears in some contexts. When we compare one group with another, “from” is the most widely accepted preposition. Therefore, we check which option gives a correct and natural collocation with “different.” The phrase “different from those of the East” clearly indicates contrast between two sets of woodpeckers. Other prepositions such as “of,” “for,” or “to” do not express this contrast correctly here.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the adjective and its typical preposition pattern. The adjective is “different.” Step 2: Recall the standard collocation: “different from” is the most widely accepted in formal English. Step 3: Insert “from” into the blank: “are different from those of the East.” The sentence now reads smoothly. Step 4: Check the meaning. The sentence now clearly states that the woodpeckers in the West are not the same as those in the East. Step 5: Compare with the other prepositions and notice how they weaken or distort the intended comparison.

Verification / Alternative check:
A good way to verify the answer is to test each option within the sentence and read it aloud. “Different from those of the East” sounds natural and appears frequently in grammar books and formal writing. If we search for examples in standard texts, “different from” is the most common structure. “Different to” is sometimes heard in certain dialects of British English, but Indian exams typically prefer “different from.” “Different of” and “different for” do not form standard comparisons between two sets. This quick comparison confirms that “from” is the safest and most grammatically correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
“of” would give “different of those of the East,” which is not an accepted pattern in English for comparisons.
“for” would suggest purpose or suitability, as in “good for you,” but we are not talking about purpose here.
“to” can appear in some informal varieties (“different to”), but this is not the exam standard and sounds odd in this specific sentence.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to rely on spoken habits or local usage rather than standard written English. Learners sometimes choose “to” because they have heard “different to” in films or conversations. Others may pick “of” because it appears frequently in other structures. Another pitfall is assuming that all prepositions are almost interchangeable, which is not true in collocations. Remember that examinations usually test standard norms that grammar books support, so “different from” is the best choice in this kind of question.

Final Answer:
The correct preposition is from, so the complete sentence is: “The woodpeckers of the West (with one exception) are different from those of the East.”