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In English grammar, improve the bracketed part of the sentence: The people of Japan are (wiser than America.).

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: wiser than those of America.

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:

This question tests a very important area of English grammar known as comparison or parallelism. When we compare two things, we must ensure that similar grammatical structures are placed side by side. The given sentence compares people living in two different countries, Japan and America, and asks you to choose the most grammatically correct and logically clear form of the comparison.


Given Data / Assumptions:

- Original sentence: The people of Japan are (wiser than America.). - The bracketed part needs improvement. - Options include different comparative structures involving America. - The comparison is between people of Japan and people of America, not between people and a place.


Concept / Approach:

In English, when we compare groups, we must compare like with like. The subject is the people of Japan, that is, persons. Therefore, the other side of the comparison must also refer to persons, not to the country as a geographical or political unit. Expressions such as those of America or the people of America correctly refer to people. Grammar questions of this type check whether you avoid faulty comparison, where dissimilar things are compared.


Step-by-Step Solution:

1. Identify what is being compared: people of Japan are being compared with people of America. 2. Notice that the original bracketed phrase wiser than America compares people with a country, which is illogical. 3. Look at option A wiser than that of America. The word that refers to some singular noun like culture or system, not clearly to people. 4. Look at option B wiser than those of America. The word those stands for the people of America and keeps the comparison parallel. 5. Option C wiser to that of America is wrong both in preposition and structure, because wiser to is not a standard comparative phrase. 6. Option D No improvement must be rejected because the original structure is faulty. 7. Therefore, the best improvement is wiser than those of America.


Verification / Alternative check:

Rewrite the full improved sentence: The people of Japan are wiser than those of America. This reads smoothly and clearly compares people with people. You can also test by expanding those: The people of Japan are wiser than the people of America. This shows that option B preserves the intended meaning without any grammatical error. The original version, The people of Japan are wiser than America, would imply that people are wiser than a country, which is not logical.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Wiser than that of America: The pronoun that has no clear singular noun to refer to, and the comparison remains unclear and awkward. Wiser to that of America: This uses the wrong preposition and still fails to provide a parallel noun phrase for people. No improvement: This keeps a faulty comparison between people and a place, which is not acceptable in standard English.


Common Pitfalls:

Many learners look only at the surface meaning and overlook the requirement to compare similar units. They may think that wiser than America is acceptable because the sense seems understandable. Competitive exams, however, test precise grammar. Always check what the subject is and make sure the object of comparison matches it in kind and number. When you see phrases like the people of, it is usually safer to continue with those of in the comparative part.


Final Answer:

The correct improvement is wiser than those of America.

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