Improve the underlined part of the sentence, if necessary: "No one other reason than poverty is hampering the progress of India."

Introduction / Context:
This question checks correct usage of determiners in English. The sentence attempts to say that there is no reason except poverty that is hindering the progress of India. The phrase No one other reason is awkward and ungrammatical. You must choose the best replacement for the underlined part.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The original sentence is:

• No one other reason than poverty is hampering the progress of India.

The options are:

• No other
• None other
• No another
• No improvement

Concept / Approach:
The noun reason is singular, and the sentence wants to say that there is no other reason. The correct pattern is No other reason than poverty. The phrase no one other reason is incorrect because one already implies singular and is not required before other reason in this structure. None other reason would also sound wrong. No another is always incorrect because no and another cannot be used side by side before a noun.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Understand the intended meaning: there is no other reason except poverty that hampers progress. Step 2: Examine No other. When combined with reason, we get No other reason than poverty, which is a correct and natural expression. Step 3: Examine None other. The word none usually stands alone or before of, such as none of the reasons, and does not directly modify reason in this position. Step 4: Examine No another. This combination is grammatically wrong; we do not say no another reason. Step 5: Examine No improvement. This would leave the phrase No one other reason as it is, which is unnatural and incorrect. Step 6: Therefore, No other is the correct replacement for the underlined part.

Verification / Alternative check:
The improved sentence reads: No other reason than poverty is hampering the progress of India. This structure clearly conveys that poverty alone is responsible, and it is grammatically sound. You could also say there is no other reason than poverty for the lack of progress, which confirms that no other before reason is the standard pattern.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
None other is wrong in this structure because it does not join smoothly with reason. It might be used in sentences like none other than, but not directly before a singular noun in this pattern. No another is simply ungrammatical. No improvement is wrong because the original phrase is incorrect and clumsy. The exam expects replacement with the concise and correct form No other.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes overcomplicate expressions by inserting extra words like one when they are not needed. Another error is confusing none other with no other. The safest choice is to remember the standard pattern no other reason, no other solution, or no other explanation. Observing such patterns while reading articles and textbooks helps reinforce correct determiner usage.

Final Answer:
The correct improvement is No other.