In Microsoft Word 2010, the status bar provides useful information about the current document and can be customized, but by default which one of the following options is NOT shown on the status bar?

Introduction / Context:
Microsoft Word 2010 includes a status bar at the bottom of the window that summarizes important information about the document and provides quick access to useful tools. Understanding what appears on the status bar by default is a common topic in Microsoft Office certification exams, because it tests familiarity with the user interface and basic customization features that improve productivity.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The version of Microsoft Word in question is Word 2010 on a typical default installation.
The status bar is visible at the bottom of the Word window and shows standard indicators.
The user has not customized the status bar yet, so only default options are present.
Options include Page Number, Word Count, Language, and Line Number as possible items.
The task is to identify which item is not present on the status bar by default, even though it can be added later through customization.

Concept / Approach:
The status bar in Word 2010 is customizable. You can right click the status bar to show or hide items such as Page Number, Word Count, Language, and Line Number. However, Microsoft ships Word with a predefined set of default indicators. Page Number, Word Count, and Language typically appear on the status bar immediately after installation. Line Number, on the other hand, is available as an optional indicator but is not selected by default. Therefore, you must understand which features require explicit user customization.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Open Word 2010 with a new blank document in its default configuration. 2. Look at the status bar along the bottom of the window and note the visible items. You should see the page indicator (such as Page 1 of 1), and the word count indicator that shows the total number of words in the document. 3. Also observe the Language indicator near the spelling and grammar status, which shows the current proofing language. 4. Line Number, which would indicate the current line in the document, is not present as a default item on the status bar. 5. If you right click the status bar, you can see a list of check boxes. Line Number can be turned on from this menu, confirming that it is optional and off by default.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, you can reset Word options or test on a fresh installation and check which items appear automatically. Documentation and training materials for Microsoft Office 2010 also list the default status bar items and confirm that Line Number must be explicitly enabled by the user if needed for editing or reviewing tasks.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Page Number appears by default, showing the current page and total pages, so it is not the missing item.
Word Count is visible by default and updates dynamically as you type, which makes it an important indicator on the status bar.
Language appears as a default indicator and displays the current proofing language for the document, so it is also not the missing option.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is assuming that Line Number appears automatically because many advanced users enable it early. Another pitfall is confusing the status bar with the ruler or vertical scroll bar, where line related information might seem to be present. Remember that the question asks specifically about default status bar options, not about features that can be added later or displayed in other parts of the interface.

Final Answer:
Line Number is not present on the Microsoft Word 2010 status bar by default, although it can be added through customization.