In this sentence improvement item, choose the best replacement for the bracketed word "(much)" in the sentence "Woodrow Wilson said that the free enterprise system is the much efficient economic system."

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your understanding of comparative and superlative forms of adjectives. The sentence quotes Woodrow Wilson describing the free enterprise system as the most effective type of economic system. The bracketed word "much" before "efficient" is incorrect because the structure clearly calls for a superlative form. You must choose the option that correctly completes the superlative expression.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Structure: "the ... efficient economic system".
• Bracketed word: "much".
• The idea is to say that free enterprise is at the top level of efficiency compared with other systems.
• Options: "most", "many", "mere", and "No improvement".

Concept / Approach:
In English, we use "most" before a long adjective to form the superlative: "the most efficient", "the most productive", "the most important". The definite article "the" before "much" in the original sentence signals that a superlative form is expected, not a simple intensifier. "Much efficient" on its own would be wrong, and "the much efficient" is even more unnatural. To express that something is at the highest degree compared with others, "the most efficient" is the correct phrase.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Notice the pattern "the ... efficient economic system", which points to a superlative structure. Step 2: Recall that superlatives of long adjectives are formed with "the most" plus the adjective. Step 3: Replace "much" with "most" to form "the most efficient economic system". Step 4: Check that the sentence now clearly states that free enterprise is the top option among systems. Step 5: Verify that the other options cannot produce a correct superlative construction.

Verification / Alternative check:
Read the corrected sentence: "Woodrow Wilson was referring to the liberal idea of the economic market when he said that the free enterprise system is the most efficient economic system." This is the standard way to express a strong opinion of superiority. "The many efficient economic system" is wrong because "many" does not form comparatives or superlatives. "The mere efficient economic system" changes the meaning entirely to "only efficient", not "most efficient". Leaving "much" unchanged keeps a phrase that native speakers would never use in this context.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
"Many" is used to express quantity, as in "many systems", and cannot be used before an adjective to form a superlative.

"Mere" means "only" or "nothing more than", which would weaken the statement instead of expressing superiority.

"No improvement" keeps an incorrect structure that fails to convey the idea of highest degree efficiently.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse "more" and "most" and may think that "much" can be used as a general intensifier before any adjective. In reality, "much" is often used with comparatives like "much more efficient" but not directly in a superlative pattern with "the". The quick rule is: use "the most" before longer adjectives when you want to express "the best" or "the highest degree".

Final Answer:
The correct improvement is "most", giving the phrase "the most efficient economic system".