In this error spotting question, identify the incorrect part in the sentence about the biggest problem faced by developing countries and trained manpower.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: 3

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This error spotting question focuses on the correct adjective to describe manpower in the context of developing countries. The sentence claims that the biggest problem faced by all developing countries is the lack of training manpower. While the message is clear, the phrase training manpower is not idiomatic English. Competitive exams often test whether you can recognise such subtle vocabulary errors and replace them with natural collocations like trained manpower.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Part 1: The biggest problem faced by
  • Part 2: all developing countries is the
  • Part 3: lack of training manpower.
  • Part 4: No error
  • The intended phrase is lack of trained manpower, referring to skilled human resources.


Concept / Approach:
The noun manpower means the people available for work, especially those who are skilled or qualified. When we want to talk about manpower that has already received training, we use the adjective trained, not training. Training is normally used as a noun (for example, vocational training) or as a present participle describing an ongoing process. Therefore, the natural phrase in this context is trained manpower, indicating that developing countries lack people who have been properly trained. This shows that the error is in part 3.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Read the sentence as a whole, focusing on the phrase lack of training manpower. Step 2: Recognise that we are talking about manpower that should already have skills and knowledge. Step 3: Recall that the usual collocation in English is trained manpower for such a situation. Step 4: Replace training with trained to form lack of trained manpower. Step 5: Conclude that part 3 contains the vocabulary error.


Verification / Alternative check:
Rewrite the sentence with the corrected phrase: The biggest problem faced by all developing countries is the lack of trained manpower. This version immediately sounds more natural and is consistent with how economists, educators, and policy makers describe skill shortages. Since no changes are needed in parts 1 and 2, and the only incorrect expression was training manpower in part 3, we can be confident that part 3 is the erroneous segment.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Part 1 correctly introduces the subject The biggest problem faced by and uses the past participle faced by in a standard passive construction.

Part 2 properly continues the idea with all developing countries is the, maintaining singular verb is to match the singular subject problem.

Part 4, No error, is not correct because we have already identified a more natural and widely accepted term trained manpower instead of training manpower.


Common Pitfalls:
Learners may think that training manpower refers to the process of training people, but in that case the sentence should be rewritten to mention training programmes. When the focus is on the people themselves, adjectives like trained or skilled are appropriate. Remember common combinations like trained manpower, skilled workforce, and qualified staff when answering such questions.


Final Answer:
The error is in part 3; the phrase should be lack of trained manpower.

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