English grammar error-spotting (‘‘hardly … when …’’ correlative and past simple sequencing): Read the sentence split into four parts (A–D) and choose the part that contains an error; select ‘‘No error’’ if the sentence is fully correct: ‘‘The President had hardly spoken / a few words / when the microphone stopped functioning. / No error.’’

Given data

• A: Past perfect with ‘‘hardly’’ → ‘‘had hardly spoken’’
• B: Object phrase ‘‘a few words’’
• C: Correlative ‘‘when’’ + past simple
• D: ‘‘No error’’

Concept / ApproachThe correlative pair ‘‘hardly … when …’’ is correctly formed with the earlier action in past perfect and the subsequent interrupting event in past simple. This is a textbook sequence-of-tenses pattern.

ChecksA: correct aspect; B: grammatical object; C: correct use of ‘‘when’’ (not ‘‘than’’).

Final AnswerNo error.