Life in the city is … expensive for most people.

Analyze the question: The blank comes before the adjective "expensive". We need a word or phrase that modifies that adjective and means "excessively".

Concept: "Much too" is used before an adjective or adverb to mean "excessively".

• "The room is much too small." (excessively small)

"Too much" is used before a noun or after a verb.

• "He has too much work."
• "She talks too much."

Test each option:

• A. Life in the city is too much expensive is wrong, because "too much" cannot directly precede an adjective.
• B. Life in the city is much expensive is wrong. "Much" does not modify a positive adjective like this. We would say "very expensive" or "much more expensive".
• C. Life in the city is very much expensive is wrong. "Very much" is used with verbs ("I like it very much"), not before an adjective.
• D. Life in the city is much too expensive for most people is correct. It means the cost is excessive, and the meaning fits well with "for most people".

Answer: D. much too

Tip: Remember the pattern "much too + adjective" and "too much + noun". For example, "much too hot" but "too much heat". If the blank is followed by an adjective, think "much too".