Improve the underlined part of the sentence: "We do not need our computers to be infinitely fast, just a whole lot (faster than) they are today."

Introduction / Context:
This sentence improvement question focuses on comparative structures in English. The sentence reads We do not need our computers to be infinitely fast, just a whole lot faster than they are today. The underlined phrase is faster than, and you must decide whether it is already correct or needs improvement based on the rules of comparison.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The comparison is between the current speed of computers and a desired greater speed.
• The adjective is fast and we are using its comparative form.
• The words a whole lot act as an intensifier before the comparative.
• Options include changes to the comparative structure or keeping it as it is.

Concept / Approach:
For one syllable adjectives like fast, the correct comparative form is formed by adding er and using than to introduce the second element of comparison, giving faster than. This pattern remains correct even when using an intensifier such as much, far, or a whole lot. Therefore, faster than in the sentence is grammatically correct and idiomatic, and no change is required.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the adjective fast and note that the sentence is comparing speeds now and in the future.Step 2: Recall the rule that one syllable adjectives usually form the comparative by adding er and using than.Step 3: Observe that the phrase faster than correctly follows this pattern.Step 4: Check the intensifier a whole lot and see that it can precede a comparative degree without affecting the structure.Step 5: Conclude that no improvement is needed and select no improvement.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the sentence aloud: just a whole lot faster than they are today. It sounds natural and is commonly used in spoken and written English to emphasise a big increase in speed. If you replace faster than with as fast as, the meaning changes to equality instead of improvement. Faster then is wrong spelling, and more faster than is an incorrect double comparative. Fastest than is also incorrect because superlatives do not take than in this way.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• as fast as: This creates a comparison of equality, suggesting no increase in speed, which is opposite to the intended idea of faster computers.
• faster then: This is a spelling and grammar error; then refers to time and does not replace than in comparisons.
• more faster than: This is a double comparative, which is ungrammatical in standard English.
• fastest than: Superlatives do not use than in this way. We say the fastest of or in, not fastest than.

Common Pitfalls:
Many learners overcorrect and think that any simple comparative must be replaced with a more complicated structure. In reality, the basic er plus than form is perfectly correct for many adjectives. Be careful not to introduce new errors while trying to improve something that is already right.

Final Answer:
The underlined phrase is already correct, so the answer is no improvement.