Classification — near-synonyms of “collect”: choose the single verb that does NOT match the dominant usage of the others.

Introduction / Context:
Several English verbs overlap around the idea of collecting. However, some are used primarily for people assembling (intransitive), while others focus on things being collected (transitive or quantitative). We must separate assembly-of-people from collection-of-things.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Gather → collect, bring together; works for things and people.
• Accumulate → build up quantity of things over time.
• Aggregate → bring together into a whole, often for data/items.
• Congregate → people gather together, chiefly intransitive and human-centric.

Concept / Approach:
Classify by dominant usage: Accumulate/Aggregate/Gather commonly target items/data or can be transitive; Congregate primarily describes people assembling, not things being collected.

Step-by-Step Solution:
1) Identify object-focus verbs: Accumulate, Aggregate (items/data), Gather (flexible).2) Identify people-assembly verb: Congregate.3) Therefore “Congregate” is the odd one out by typical usage.

Verification / Alternative check:
Try substitution with “data”: we can gather/accumulate/aggregate data, but we do not “congregate data.”

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
They naturally take inanimate objects (data/items) as direct objects or targets, matching the dominant grouping.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming “gather” is only for people; in technical contexts (e.g., gather requirements), it readily applies to things.

Final Answer:
Congregate