throw off the scent/track

[Vladimir13]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #542 "English Slang Idioms (142)", question 6

"His stellar reputation and his connection to the police department threw me off ......... for a while but he is our killer. He had a good motive; his wife was threatening to divorce him for some impropriety he committed with his secretary and she was in possession of a two million dollar inheritance that he would inherit if she passed away.

(a) scent
(b) focus
(c) examination
(d) track

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #542 "English Slang Idioms (142)", answer 6

"His stellar reputation and his connection to the police department threw me off track for a while but he is our killer. He had a good motive; his wife was threatening to divorce him for some impropriety he committed with his secretary and she was in possession of a two million dollar inheritance that he would inherit if she passed away.

Correct answer: (d) track

Your answer was: incorrect
"His stellar reputation and his connection to the police department threw me off focus for a while but he is our killer. He had a good motive; his wife was threatening to divorce him for some impropriety he committed with his secretary and she was in possession of a two million dollar inheritance that he would inherit if she passed away.
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Hi Teachers,

My dictionary says me that "throw off the scent/track" has an identical meaning. So, does it true or the answer with the "scene" is not correct?

Thank you,
Vladimir.
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My little horse must think it queer...

[Our Tort System]

To throw off the scent.
.
The "the" is missing here, that's why "scent" is incorrect.
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