In the following question, a sentence is divided into four parts. Identify the part that contains an error in standard English usage, or select 4 if there is no error: Linking traditional American Native stories (1)/ to historic records of a Japanese tsunami (2)/ was considered an exception, not the start (3)/ of a fruitful geological collaboration. (4)

Introduction / Context:
This question tests sensitivity to idiomatic adjective order and standard collocations in English. The sentence talks about linking certain stories to historical records of a Japanese tsunami and how this was viewed by scientists. You need to identify which part sounds unidiomatic or grammatically wrong, or mark No error if everything is correct.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- (1) Linking traditional American Native stories
- (2) to historic records of a Japanese tsunami
- (3) was considered an exception, not the start
- (4) of a fruitful geological collaboration.
- The intended phrase likely refers to stories told by Native Americans.
- We assume standard modern usage as in academic English.

Concept / Approach:
The main concept here is correct adjective order and established names for ethnic groups. In modern English, the standard term is Native American stories, not American Native stories. The order of the words matters because Native American is a fixed expression referring to indigenous peoples of the Americas. Changing the order to American Native is non-standard and would be considered incorrect or odd in exam English. The other parts of the sentence use acceptable grammar and vocabulary.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Look at part (1): Linking traditional American Native stories. The phrase American Native stories is unusual and does not match the standard expression.Step 2: The correct phrase in academic and common usage is traditional Native American stories, where Native American is a set expression.Step 3: Part (2): to historic records of a Japanese tsunami is grammatically correct, although in some contexts historical records might be stylistically preferred; however, historic is not a clear-cut error here.Step 4: Part (3): was considered an exception, not the start is a valid passive construction indicating how the linking was viewed.Step 5: Part (4): of a fruitful geological collaboration completes the phrase and is grammatically sound.Step 6: Since only part (1) clearly violates standard idiomatic usage, option 1 is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Rewrite the corrected sentence: Linking traditional Native American stories to historic records of a Japanese tsunami was considered an exception, not the start of a fruitful geological collaboration. This version sounds natural and aligns with common usage in books and scholarly articles. Leaving American Native in place would immediately stand out to a careful reader as odd. The remaining parts do not break any standard grammar rules, so part (1) is the sole problematic segment.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Part (2) to historic records of a Japanese tsunami is grammatically fine, even if some style guides might suggest historical records.
- Part (3) was considered an exception, not the start is a normal passive structure.
- Part (4) of a fruitful geological collaboration correctly completes the noun phrase.
- Since a genuine idiomatic issue is present in part (1), No error is not acceptable.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes ignore idiomatic fixed phrases like Native American and focus only on tense or prepositions. Another pitfall is over-correcting historic versus historical when both can be acceptable depending on context. In these questions, ask yourself whether a phrase matches what you usually see in reliable texts. When an adjective + noun pair is a well-known label for a group, such as Native American, African American or South Asian, changing the order will normally be treated as incorrect in exams.

Final Answer:
The error is in part 1. The phrase should be traditional Native American stories, not traditional American Native stories.