In this sentence improvement item, choose the best alternative to replace the underlined words "more respite" in the sentence: The rain brought more respite from the heat.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of correct collocations and quantifiers in English. The sentence "The rain brought more respite from the heat" sounds slightly awkward because "more respite" suggests a comparison that has not been stated earlier. The task is to choose a more natural and grammatically appropriate expression to describe how the rain reduced the heat. Choosing the right phrase improves both clarity and style.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Original sentence: The rain brought more respite from the heat.- The underlined expression is "more respite".- Options include: "much respite", "most relief", "severe drought", and "No improvement".- There is no earlier sentence provided that compares degrees of respite.

Concept / Approach:
The word "respite" refers to a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant, such as heat. The quantifier "more" usually marks a comparative: it compares the current level of relief with an earlier level. Since the sentence given does not mention any previous respite, the comparative "more" is not appropriate. Instead, "much respite" is a suitable phrase because "much" works well with uncountable nouns like "respite" and does not require an explicit comparison.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the sentence and notice that it is a standalone statement praising the effect of rain on the heat.Step 2: Observe that there is no prior mention of any earlier respite from the heat.Step 3: Recognise that "more respite" implies comparison and therefore seems incomplete without a previous reference.Step 4: Consider the noun "respite" as an uncountable abstract noun similar to "relief", "peace", or "comfort".Step 5: Recall that "much" is used with uncountable nouns: "much relief", "much comfort", "much respite".Step 6: Conclude that "much respite" is the best improvement, making the sentence natural and grammatically correct.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can compare similar sentences: "The rain brought much relief from the heat", "The cool breeze brought much comfort after the hot day". Both sound correct and idiomatic. Replacing "much" with "more" in these sentences would only make sense if there were an earlier comparison, such as "The second shower brought more relief than the first". As there is no such context here, "much respite" is clearly the intended expression for a single event of relief.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option "most relief": This is the superlative form and would require a comparison with at least two other sources of relief; additionally, it changes the noun from "respite" to "relief".Option "severe drought": This is the opposite of what the sentence intends, because rain and respite from heat are positive, while drought is a negative condition.Option "No improvement": Incorrect, because "more respite" is not the most natural or grammatically precise expression in this context.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes overlook the difference between absolute and comparative quantities and use "more" automatically to indicate intensity. Another common mistake is ignoring the uncountable nature of words like "respite" and "relief" when selecting quantifiers. To avoid such errors, ask yourself whether the sentence is comparing two situations or simply describing one. If it is only describing one event, avoid "more" unless the comparison is explicit, and prefer quantifiers like "much" where appropriate.

Final Answer:
The best improvement is much respite, so the corrected sentence is: The rain brought much respite from the heat.