In this error spotting question, identify the incorrect part in the sentence about the aroma of the invigorating morning cup of tea.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 1

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This error spotting question focuses on the correct form of an adjective describing a morning cup of tea. The sentence is meant to evoke a sensory image of aroma and relaxation, but one word is used in the wrong grammatical form. Identifying errors in word forms, especially when verbs and adjectives are related, is an important part of mastering written English and performing well in competitive exams.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Part 1: The aroma of the invigorate morning cup of tea comes
  • Part 2: wafting up the stairway and soon I am
  • Part 3: sipping it slowly and reverentially without rushing.
  • Part 4: No error
  • The writer intends to describe the morning cup of tea as invigorating.


Concept / Approach:
The word invigorate is a verb meaning to give energy or strength. To describe a noun, such as morning cup of tea, we need the adjective form invigorating. The correct phrase is the invigorating morning cup of tea. In the given sentence, invigorate is incorrectly used where an adjective is required, creating a grammatical error in part 1. The remaining parts of the sentence correctly convey how the aroma wafts up the stairway and how the speaker sips the tea slowly and reverentially.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read part 1 and locate the phrase the invigorate morning cup of tea. Step 2: Recognise that invigorate is a verb and cannot directly modify the noun cup. Step 3: Recall that the adjectival form of invigorate is invigorating. Step 4: Substitute invigorating mentally to get the invigorating morning cup of tea. Step 5: Conclude that part 1 contains the error since an adjective is needed, not a bare verb.


Verification / Alternative check:
Rewrite the sentence with the correction: The aroma of the invigorating morning cup of tea comes wafting up the stairway and soon I am sipping it slowly and reverentially without rushing. This version uses invigorating correctly as an adjective and the rest of the sentence reads smoothly. Since no changes are required in parts 2 and 3, and the error is entirely in the word invigorate in part 1, we can confidently mark part 1 as the incorrect segment.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Part 2 correctly uses comes wafting, which is an acceptable way to describe how aroma travels.

Part 3, sipping it slowly and reverentially without rushing, is grammatically correct and effectively describes the manner of drinking.

Part 4, No error, cannot be correct because we have identified a clear word form problem in part 1.


Common Pitfalls:
Learners often confuse verb and adjective forms of words, especially when they look similar, such as motivate and motivating or invigorate and invigorating. A helpful tip is to check whether the word stands before a noun; if it does, an adjective is usually required. In such cases, look for the ing or ed form that functions as an adjective, depending on whether the noun causes the feeling or experiences it.


Final Answer:
The error is in part 1; the phrase should be the invigorating morning cup of tea.

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