To avoid trouble, it is best to say very … on the case.

Analyze the question: The sentence is "To avoid trouble, it is best to say very _ on the case." We need the word that correctly follows "very" and fits the noun-like idea of "how much you say."

Explain the concept: This tests quantifiers.

• Little is used with uncountable nouns or as an adverbial or pronoun meaning "not much" (e.g., "He said very little").
• Few is used with countable plural nouns (e.g., "very few students").
• Less is a comparative and cannot be modified by "very" (we don't say "very less").
• Small describes size, not quantity of speech.

Solution:

1. "Say very ___" means the amount of speech, which is uncountable. This rules out few (C), since nothing countable follows it.
2. "Very less" is incorrect English because "less" is already comparative, so A is out.
3. "Small" does not fit idiomatically after "say very," so D is out.
4. "Say very little" is correct and natural. It means to say almost nothing.

Complete sentence: To avoid trouble, it is best to say very little on the case.

Answer: B. little

Tip: Remember that "very" can go with little and few, but never with comparatives like less or more. Use few for things you can count and little for things you cannot, such as speech, water, or time.