Quantifiers and comparison (article use): Choose the word that best completes the sentence “______ works of reference are as valuable as the Encyclopaedia Britannica.” Select the correct quantifier to express “hardly any.”

Given data

• Structure: “______ works of reference are as valuable as …” (comparative with “as … as”).

Concept/Approach
Few (without article) means “hardly any,” which fits the sense that very few works match the value of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

Option analysis
Few — correct: general negative quantity (hardly any).A few — means “some” (positive sense); changes meaning.The few — refers to a specific small set; not intended here.Fewer — comparative; would require “than,” not “as … as.”

Common pitfalls
Confusing “few” (hardly any) with “a few” (some).

Final Answer
Few