In the following question, four English words are given, out of which one word is spelt incorrectly. Select the incorrectly spelt word from the options provided.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests basic English spelling and vocabulary. Many competitive examinations include such items because accurate spelling is essential for clear written communication. In this item, four common English words are given. Three of them are correctly spelt, while one has an incorrect spelling. The learner has to recognise which spelling does not match standard English usage. The words chosen include one whose pronunciation is slightly misleading, and another that looks similar to a common error, so the item checks careful visual memory of words as well as understanding of common spelling patterns.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Four options are given: Colonel, Hypocracy, Offence and Strength. - Exactly one of these options is spelt incorrectly. - Standard British English spelling norms are assumed for this examination context. - The task is to select the incorrectly spelt word, not to correct it.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is recognition of correct standard spellings in English. Some words in English have irregular or non phonetic spellings that cannot be guessed directly from pronunciation. For this reason, students must rely on familiarity with printed text and prior learning. The strategic approach is to mentally compare each option with the correct spelling that you remember, and to recall common rules such as use of the letter sequence ph for the sound of f in words of Greek origin, or the correct use of single and double consonants. When unsure, you can also think of related forms, such as hypocrisy and hypocrite, or offensive and defend, which share roots with the words in the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine option Colonel. Although it is pronounced like kernel, the established spelling in English is c o l o n e l, so this is a correct spelling. Step 2: Examine option Hypocracy. The word is meant to represent the noun formed from hypocrite. The standard spelling is hypocrisy, with the letter sequence c r i s y at the end rather than c r a c y. Therefore Hypocracy is not the correct standard form. Step 3: Examine option Offence. In British English, offence with c e is an accepted and common spelling, so this option is correct in this examination context. Step 4: Examine option Strength. The word strength, meaning power or force, is correctly spelt s t r e n g t h, so this option is also correct. Step 5: Since Hypocracy is the only option whose spelling does not match the standard dictionary form, it is the incorrectly spelt word and should be selected as the answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
A useful way to verify is to recall related words and check consistency of spelling. For example, from the base noun hypocrisy we get the adjective hypocritical, which retains the o c r y pattern rather than adding a second a. The incorrect spelling Hypocracy would instead suggest a relation to words like democracy or bureaucracy, where the ending c r a c y denotes rule or government. This meaning does not match the idea of pretending to have higher standards than one really has. Checking a standard English dictionary, you will find an entry for hypocrisy but no entry for hypocracy, confirming that it is a misspelling. Similarly, you can confirm that colonel, offence and strength appear exactly in these forms in good dictionaries, which supports the conclusion that Hypocracy is the only incorrect choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Colonel looks unusual but is the correct spelling for the army rank pronounced kernel. Option C: Offence is the standard British English spelling for an illegal act or an act that causes displeasure, so it is not incorrect in this setting. Option D: Strength is correctly spelt and is a very common everyday word, so it cannot be the misspelt one.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may suspect colonel because its pronunciation does not seem to match its spelling. Others may not be sure about offence and may confuse British English offence with American English offense. A further trap is to glance quickly at Hypocracy and feel that it looks similar to democracy and so assume that it is acceptable. The safest method is to slow down, recall the base word hypocrite and then remember that the related noun is hypocrisy, not hypocracy. Always avoid relying only on how a word sounds, and instead train yourself to notice typical letter patterns and families of related words.

Final Answer:
The incorrectly spelt word in this set is Hypocracy, so that is the correct option to mark.