In this numbered error spotting question, read the sentence and identify the part that contains an error. The sentence is: "She picked (1) on the (2) trail soon after. (3) No error (4)". Choose 1, 2, 3, or 4.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of phrasal verbs in English. The sentence describes someone resuming or following a trail after having lost it for a while. The correct idiomatic phrasal verb in this context is important. The sentence is divided into three numbered parts and a fourth option indicating that there is no error.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Sentence with parts:
  • (1) She picked
  • (2) on the
  • (3) trail soon after.
  • (4) No error.
• Options: 1, 2, 3, 4.
• The intended expression is "picked up the trail".

Concept / Approach:
In English, to say that someone starts following a trail again, we use the phrasal verb "pick up" as in "pick up the trail". The word "on" is not used in this phrasal verb. "Pick on" means to bully or treat someone unfairly, which is completely different and does not make sense here. Therefore, the error is in the part that uses "on the" instead of "up the".

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Look at part (1): "She picked". On its own, this is fine as the beginning of a phrasal verb. Step 2: Check part (2): "on the". When combined with "picked", it forms "picked on", which means to harass or bully someone, not to resume following a trail. Step 3: Look at part (3): "trail soon after." The complete verb phrase should be "picked up the trail", not "picked on the trail". Step 4: Therefore, part (2) should contain "up the" instead of "on the". Step 5: Parts (1) and (3) are correct once part (2) is fixed, so the error is clearly in segment 2.

Verification / Alternative check:
Rewrite the corrected sentence: "She picked up the trail soon after." This is a common expression in narratives, especially when someone is searching or tracking. None of the other parts needs change. If you choose "No error", you would be accepting the incorrect phrasal verb "picked on the trail", which does not convey the intended meaning.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Part (1) "She picked" is fine because "picked up" is the correct verb phrase, and "picked" is the correct base.

Part (3) "trail soon after." correctly completes the object and gives a time reference.

Option (4) "No error" is wrong because we have identified a clear phrasal verb error in part (2).

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes treat any preposition after a verb as acceptable if the general idea seems clear. However, phrasal verbs in English have specific combinations and meanings that often cannot be guessed. It is important to learn common phrasal verbs like "pick up", "look after", and "turn down" and remember that replacing one small word can completely change or destroy the meaning.

Final Answer:
The error is in part (2), so the correct option is 2.