Question 1

Verbal reasoning — Odd one out: Select the single word that does NOT belong with the others (fairness vs. positivity).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Synonym sets often conceal an outsider that is close in tone but different in meaning. Here three words describe impartial justice, whereas one simply means advantageous or beneficial, which is not necessarily impartial. Given Data / Assumptions: Set: fair, just, equitable, favorable We look for a consistent meaning cluster, then remove the semantic intruder. Concept / Approach: Group words by their core sense. “Fair,” “just,” and “equitable” all signal impartiality and even-handedness. “Favorable” indicates something that benefits a side or outcome, which may be biased rather than balanced. That breaks the fairness cluster. Step-by-Step Solution: fair → impartial, unbiased.just → guided by justice; morally right and impartial.equitable → characterized by equity and fairness.favorable → advantageous or approving, not inherently impartial. Verification / Alternative check: Substitute in a sentence about a referee or judge. “Fair/just/equitable decision” fits; “favorable decision” suggests advantage to one party, not neutrality. Why Other Options Are Wrong: fair / just / equitable: All share the impartiality concept and belong together. Common Pitfalls: Choosing “equitable” as unusual vocabulary; meaning still firmly aligns with fairness. Final Answer: favorable

Question 2

Verbal reasoning — Odd one out: Pick the word that does NOT belong with the others (rarity/exceptionality vs. aesthetics).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Three options relate to rarity or exceptionality, while one concerns aesthetic appeal. Distinguishing semantic fields that are often conflated in praise (“beautiful” vs. “exceptional”) is the objective here. Given Data / Assumptions: Set: unique, beautiful, rare, exceptional Look for a majority cluster; the outlier will not fit that shared core meaning. Concept / Approach: “Unique,” “rare,” and “exceptional” emphasize scarcity or standing out from norms. “Beautiful” describes visual or aesthetic attractiveness, which can be common and is independent of rarity. Hence it does not belong to the rarity/exceptionality cluster. Step-by-Step Solution: unique → one of a kind; rarity by definition.rare → uncommon; scarce in occurrence.exceptional → unusually good or uncommon; denotes deviation above the norm.beautiful → aesthetically pleasing; unrelated to scarcity. Verification / Alternative check: An item can be beautiful yet mass-produced; it would not be unique or rare. Conversely, a rare stamp may not be beautiful but is still exceptional due to scarcity. Why Other Options Are Wrong: unique / rare / exceptional: All encode uncommonness; they belong together. Common Pitfalls: Letting positive connotation bias decisions; focus on core meaning, not tone. Final Answer: beautiful

Question 3

Verbal reasoning — Odd one out: Select the term that does NOT belong with the others (angle types vs. line relationships).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Basic geometry vocabulary separates angle classifications from relationships between lines. Three choices name angle types; one describes how two lines can relate. Recognizing that categorical boundary is the target skill. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: acute, right, obtuse, parallel Standard Euclidean definitions apply. Concept / Approach: Sort by concept: angle measure vs. line relation. Acute, right, and obtuse all label angle magnitude categories. “Parallel” is a relation between two lines that never meet. It is not an angle type and therefore is the outlier. Step-by-Step Solution: acute → angle less than 90 degrees.right → angle exactly 90 degrees.obtuse → angle greater than 90 and less than 180 degrees.parallel → lines with equal direction vectors, never intersecting; not an angle. Verification / Alternative check: Ask if each term can precede the word “angle” meaningfully. “Acute/right/obtuse angle” are valid; “parallel angle” is not standard usage. Why Other Options Are Wrong: acute / right / obtuse: Proper angle categories; thus they belong together. Common Pitfalls: Associating parallel lines with 0 degrees or 180 degrees and confusing that with an angle classification; the term itself does not name an angle. Final Answer: parallel

Question 4

Verbal reasoning — Odd one out: Identify the single word that does NOT belong with the plane figures listed.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Geometry distinguishes 2-dimensional (plane) figures from 3-dimensional solids. Three options are planar shapes, while one is a solid. Discriminating dimensionality is the core reasoning task here. Given Data / Assumptions: Set: triangle, circle, oval, sphere Conventional Euclidean definitions. Concept / Approach: Classify by dimensionality. Triangle, circle, and oval lie in a plane (2D). A sphere is a 3D object with volume. Therefore, the sphere does not belong with the planar shapes. Step-by-Step Solution: triangle → 2D polygon.circle → 2D locus equidistant from a point.oval → 2D rounded figure (e.g., ellipse-like).sphere → 3D surface; set of points equidistant from a center in space. Verification / Alternative check: Only “sphere” has volume and can cast a 3D shadow with thickness; the others are flat figures. Why Other Options Are Wrong: triangle / circle / oval: All are 2D figures; they share the same dimensional class. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “oval” and “ellipse” terminology; either way, it remains 2D, unlike a sphere. Final Answer: sphere

Question 5

Verbal reasoning — Odd one out: Choose the tool that does NOT belong with the others based on primary function.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Tool classification by primary function is a common reasoning test. Three tools here are designed primarily for cutting, while one is primarily for gripping/manipulating. Correctly identifying function breaks is the goal. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: scythe, knife, pliers, saw Assume standard hand-tool functions. Concept / Approach: Sort by intended primary use: cutting vs. gripping. Scythe, knife, and saw are cutting implements. Pliers are designed for gripping, twisting, bending, or holding objects; they do not cut by default (unless specialized as wire-cutting pliers). Thus pliers are the outlier. Step-by-Step Solution: scythe → cutting/grassing tool.knife → cutting blade.saw → toothed cutting tool.pliers → gripping/manipulating tool; not primarily a cutter. Verification / Alternative check: Consider action verbs: cut (scythe/knife/saw) vs. grip/hold (pliers). The odd one out is clear. Why Other Options Are Wrong: scythe / knife / saw: All are principally cutting tools; they match each other’s function. Common Pitfalls: Thinking of combination pliers with side cutters; core function remains gripping. Final Answer: pliers

Question 6

Verbal reasoning — Odd one out: Identify the academic field that does NOT belong with the others (natural sciences vs. religious studies).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question probes classification of academic disciplines. Three belong to the natural sciences, employing empirical methods to study the natural world. One studies religion and belief systems and is not a natural science. Given Data / Assumptions: Set: biology, chemistry, theology, zoology Use conventional university-level disciplinary categories. Concept / Approach: Group by epistemic domain. Biology, chemistry, and zoology are natural sciences using observation, experimentation, and measurement. Theology studies the divine, doctrine, and religious thought; it is not categorized as a natural science. Hence it is the odd one out. Step-by-Step Solution: biology → study of living organisms (natural science).chemistry → study of matter and its transformations (natural science).zoology → branch of biology focusing on animals (natural science).theology → study of religion and deity concepts; not a natural science. Verification / Alternative check: Check typical college divisions: biology/chemistry/zoology fall under science faculties; theology is often under divinity, humanities, or religious studies. Why Other Options Are Wrong: biology / chemistry / zoology: All share the empirical natural-science methodology. Common Pitfalls: Assuming “-ology” always indicates science; theology is an academic field but not a natural science. Final Answer: theology

Question 7

Verbal reasoning — Odd one out: Select the single verb that does NOT belong with the others (valuation vs. instruction).

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Verb clusters frequently include one member with a different action domain. Three here concern judging value or quality; one concerns teaching or giving directions. Recognizing this semantic split is the task. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: evaluate, assess, appraise, instruct Common business/education vocabulary is assumed. Concept / Approach: Group by core action: valuation vs. pedagogy. “Evaluate,” “assess,” and “appraise” all mean estimate or judge value/quality. “Instruct” means teach, direct, or give orders; it does not measure worth. Thus “instruct” is the odd one out. Step-by-Step Solution: evaluate → judge or determine significance/quality.assess → appraise or evaluate.appraise → assess monetary or qualitative value.instruct → teach or give directions; different semantic field. Verification / Alternative check: Replace each in “to ___ performance.” Evaluate/assess/appraise performance make sense as valuation; “instruct performance” does not fit the same action. Why Other Options Are Wrong: evaluate / assess / appraise: All synonyms in the valuation domain. Common Pitfalls: Confusing “assess” used as “levy a tax”; the dominant sense still aligns with valuation. Final Answer: instruct

Question 8

Verbal reasoning — Odd one out: Choose the term that does NOT belong with the others in a courtroom context.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: Legal vocabulary includes roles (people) and proceedings (events). Three options are courtroom roles, while one is the proceeding itself. Distinguishing agent nouns from process nouns is the goal here. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: defendant, prosecutor, trial, judge Standard criminal/civil court terminology. Concept / Approach: Classify each as a person/role or an event/process. Defendant, prosecutor, and judge are participants with defined responsibilities. A trial is the legal proceeding in which those roles operate. Therefore, “trial” is the odd one out. Step-by-Step Solution: defendant → person accused/respondent in a case.prosecutor → attorney who brings the case on behalf of the state.judge → neutral arbiter who presides over the court.trial → the judicial proceeding; not a person. Verification / Alternative check: Ask: Which item cannot “speak” or “take action” as a legal actor? Only “trial” is an event, not an actor. Why Other Options Are Wrong: defendant / prosecutor / judge: All designate people occupying courtroom roles. Common Pitfalls: Confusing legal entities (e.g., “the People,” “the Court”) with the proceeding itself; the roles are still distinct from the event. Final Answer: trial

Question 9

Odd-one-out (verbal reasoning) Which word does NOT belong with the others? Choose the single best answer.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This odd-one-out question tests biological vocabulary and category recognition. Four options are internal body parts, but one differs in its type and function. The task is to identify which term does not belong to the same anatomical category as the others by applying basic human biology knowledge about organs versus blood vessels. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: aorta, heart, liver, stomach, pancreas Assume standard human anatomy terminology. The goal is to find exactly one option that is categorically different from the rest. Concept / Approach: Sort each word into the most specific accurate category. An organ is a structurally distinct unit that performs specific functions in a system (for example, digestive or endocrine). A major artery or blood vessel is part of the circulatory conduit system, not an organ that performs digestion, secretion, or pumping by itself. Compare the five options by these definitions and by the system they belong to (digestive, endocrine, cardiovascular). Step-by-Step Solution: Classify 'heart': an organ that pumps blood (cardiac organ).Classify 'liver': a solid organ involved in metabolism, detoxification, and bile production (digestive accessory organ).Classify 'stomach': a hollow organ of the gastrointestinal tract for storage and initial protein digestion.Classify 'pancreas': a glandular organ with exocrine (digestive enzymes) and endocrine (insulin, glucagon) roles.Classify 'aorta': the largest artery, a blood vessel that carries oxygenated blood from the heart to systemic circulation; it is not an organ like the others.Therefore, the item that does not belong with the group of organs is 'aorta' because it is a vessel, not an organ. Verification / Alternative check: Check system grouping: liver, stomach, and pancreas are digestive system organs; heart is a pump organ of the cardiovascular system; aorta is a conduit vessel within the cardiovascular system. Only aorta fails the 'organ' test in any system, confirming it as the outlier. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Heart: a true organ; not a conduit vessel. Liver: organ with multiple metabolic functions. Stomach: organ of digestion. Pancreas: organ with endocrine and exocrine functions. Common Pitfalls: Learners sometimes group 'heart' with 'aorta' under cardiovascular terms and select heart. However, the question is not about system membership alone; it is about item type. Four are organs; one is a vessel. Focus on the organ-versus-vessel distinction to avoid confusion. Final Answer: aorta

Question 10

Odd-one-out (verbal reasoning) Which word does NOT belong with the others? Choose the single best answer.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This odd-one-out problem evaluates knowledge of civic roles and professions. Several options are public offices typically associated with government and elections, while one is a private legal profession. The solver must isolate the non-office term. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: mayor, lawyer, governor, senator, councillor Assume standard democratic/governmental roles as used in English-speaking contexts. We need exactly one item that is not a governmental office or elected role. Concept / Approach: Identify which words denote public offices (elective or appointive roles within government) versus occupations not inherently tied to holding public office. Map each term to its category to reveal the outlier. Step-by-Step Solution: Mayor: public executive office at the city or municipal level.Governor: public executive office at the state or provincial level.Senator: legislative office at the state or national level.Councillor: elected member of a council (municipal or local government).Lawyer: a professional practitioner of law; this is a private profession and not a government office by itself.Therefore, 'lawyer' does not belong with the others. Verification / Alternative check: Ask whether the role requires holding public office to fit the group. Mayor, governor, senator, and councillor are office holders; lawyer is not automatically an office holder (though a lawyer could later run for office). Hence, lawyer is the clear outlier. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Mayor: holds public executive authority in a municipality. Governor: executive head of a state or province. Senator: member of a legislative chamber. Councillor: elected representative on a council. Common Pitfalls: Confusing 'lawyer' with 'law officer.' Titles like attorney general, prosecutor, or judge are public offices; 'lawyer' describes a profession. Distinguish between professions and official government posts to avoid errors. Final Answer: lawyer

Question 11

Odd-one-out (verbal reasoning) Which word does NOT belong with the others? Choose the single best answer.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This item assesses semantic grouping. Four words convey growth, success, or healthy development. One word relates instead to arousal or stimulation and does not share the growth-success meaning. The goal is to identify the semantic outlier. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: excite, flourish, prosper, thrive, bloom All words are common English verbs used figuratively or literally. Exactly one option should break the shared meaning cluster. Concept / Approach: Determine the predominant shared sense among the majority. 'Flourish,' 'prosper,' 'thrive,' and 'bloom' all describe favorable growth or success. Compare the literal and figurative meanings of each candidate to verify the grouping. Step-by-Step Solution: Flourish: to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way; to be successful.Prosper: to succeed, especially financially; to flourish.Thrive: to grow strongly; to do well.Bloom: to produce flowers; figuratively, to come into one’s own.Excite: to cause strong feelings of enthusiasm, anger, or sexual arousal; to stimulate.Only 'excite' does not include the idea of flourishing or succeeding; thus, it is the odd one out. Verification / Alternative check: Test substitution in a sentence about success: 'The startup will flourish/prosper/thrive/bloom next year' reads naturally, but 'The startup will excite next year' changes meaning. Semantic substitution confirms 'excite' as the mismatch. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Flourish: core meaning is successful growth. Prosper: success, especially economic. Thrive: vigorous growth or success. Bloom: literal flowering or figurative growth. Common Pitfalls: Confusing 'excite' with 'excite growth' in scientific contexts. In everyday English, 'excite' primarily means to arouse or stimulate emotions, not to grow successfully. Focus on the dominant general-usage meanings, not niche technical senses. Final Answer: excite

Question 12

Odd-one-out (visualize a chair) Which word does NOT belong with the others? Choose the single best answer.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This odd-one-out question focuses on furniture parts. Most terms name rigid, structural components commonly found on a wooden chair, while one names a soft, removable accessory. Distinguishing structural parts from accessories leads directly to the solution. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: seat, rung, cushion, leg, backrest Assume a typical wooden chair construction with bracing members. Exactly one option should not be a fixed structural piece of the chair frame. Concept / Approach: Classify each item as structural (load-bearing or frame-related) or accessory (comfort or add-on). Structural parts are integral to the chair’s stability and function; accessories can be added or removed without compromising basic structure. Step-by-Step Solution: Seat: the horizontal surface supporting the sitter; core structural component.Leg: primary load-bearing element; structural.Backrest: structural panel/support for the back.Rung: a cross brace (also called a stretcher) connecting legs to increase rigidity; structural.Cushion: a detachable padding placed on top of the seat; accessory, not structural.Hence, 'cushion' is the odd one out. Verification / Alternative check: Ask: If removed, does the chair still function as a chair? Removing cushion leaves a usable chair; removing seat, leg, backrest, or rungs can compromise function or safety. This confirms the classification. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Seat: essential structural surface. Leg: essential load-bearing member. Backrest: standard structural support for the upper body (except on backless stools). Rung: structural bracing between legs increasing strength. Common Pitfalls: Confusing 'rung' solely with a ladder. In chair-making, rungs or stretchers are common structural braces connecting legs. The soft, removable nature of a cushion separates it categorically from the other hard, fixed components. Final Answer: cushion

Question 13

Odd-one-out (mathematics vocabulary) Which word does NOT belong with the others? Choose the single best answer.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This vocabulary-based odd-one-out distinguishes geometry terms from an algebraic concept. Four options are squarely within elementary geometry, while one belongs to algebraic notation and general mathematics rather than shapes or measures in plane geometry. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: area, variable, circumference, quadrilateral, perimeter Assume standard school-level definitions. Exactly one term should not be a geometric attribute or shape name. Concept / Approach: Identify which options name geometric quantities or figures. 'Area,' 'circumference,' and 'perimeter' are measures associated with shapes; 'quadrilateral' is a class of four-sided polygon. 'Variable' denotes a symbol representing a quantity, typically used in algebraic expressions, not a geometric measure or figure. Step-by-Step Solution: Area: measure of surface within a boundary (geometric quantity).Circumference: length around a circle (geometric measure).Perimeter: total length around a polygon (geometric measure).Quadrilateral: a polygon with four sides (geometric figure).Variable: a symbolic placeholder like x or y, primarily an algebraic concept used across mathematics.Therefore, 'variable' does not belong with the geometric set. Verification / Alternative check: Attempt to pair each term with a formula specific to geometry. You can write formulas for area, circumference, perimeter, and properties of quadrilaterals. While variables appear in those formulas, the term 'variable' itself is not a geometry-specific quantity or shape, confirming it as the outlier. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Area: fundamental geometric measure. Circumference: specific to circles. Perimeter: measure around polygons. Quadrilateral: class of plane figures. Common Pitfalls: Noting that 'variable' is used in geometry formulas and thinking it belongs. The question asks which does not belong by domain specificity. 'Variable' is general-purpose and does not denote a geometric measure or figure by itself. Final Answer: variable

Question 14

Odd-one-out (life science) Which word does NOT belong with the others? Choose the single best answer.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This classification question checks basic zoology. Four options are crustaceans (invertebrates with exoskeletons and jointed limbs), while one is a fish (a vertebrate). Recognizing taxonomic differences at a high level leads to the correct answer quickly. Given Data / Assumptions: Options: eel, lobster, crab, shrimp, prawn Assume ordinary, non-technical common names. We need the single term that does not fit the crustacean group. Concept / Approach: Sort each animal by broad group. Crustaceans belong to subphylum Crustacea (arthropods). Fish are vertebrates; eels are elongated ray-finned fishes. Use this grouping to spot the outlier. Step-by-Step Solution: Lobster: marine crustacean.Crab: crustacean with a broad carapace.Shrimp: small, swimming crustacean.Prawn: similar to shrimp; also a crustacean.Eel: vertebrate fish (not a crustacean).Hence, 'eel' is the odd one out. Verification / Alternative check: Skeleton type and body covering: crustaceans have exoskeletons made of chitin and must molt; eels have internal skeletons and scales or smooth skin. Habitat overlap (marine or freshwater) does not change the taxonomic distinction, so the grouping remains valid. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Lobster: classic crustacean; not a fish. Crab: crustacean; carapace and claws. Shrimp: crustacean; decapod. Prawn: crustacean; decapod, closely related to shrimp. Common Pitfalls: Confusing diet or habitat as the organizing principle. Many marine animals share habitats, but taxonomy by body plan and skeleton is the decisive criterion here. Final Answer: eel

Question 15

Odd-one-out (number properties) Which word does NOT belong with the others? Choose the single best answer.

Accepted Answer

Introduction / Context: This question tests recognition of simple number properties. Four items are even integers when written as words, while one is an odd integer. Identifying parity (even versus odd) is a fundamental arithmetic skill, often used in quick odd-one-out problems. Given Data / Assumptions: Options (as words): two, three, six, eight, ten Interpret each word as the corresponding integer. Exactly one should violate the common property shared by the rest. Concept / Approach: Check parity of each number. Even numbers are divisible by 2 without remainder. Odd numbers yield a remainder of 1 when divided by 2. Find the lone odd among otherwise even numbers. Step-by-Step Solution: two → 2 is even (2 / 2 = 1 remainder 0).three → 3 is odd (3 / 2 = 1 remainder 1).six → 6 is even (6 / 2 = 3 remainder 0).eight → 8 is even (8 / 2 = 4 remainder 0).ten → 10 is even (10 / 2 = 5 remainder 0).Only 'three' is odd, so it does not belong with the others. Verification / Alternative check: Consider secondary properties: two is prime, three is prime, while six, eight, and ten are composite. That comparison yields two primes, not one. However, parity produces a single unique outlier (only one odd), which serves as the decisive criterion in this set. Why Other Options Are Wrong: Two: even. Six: even. Eight: even. Ten: even. Common Pitfalls: Overthinking with properties like primality or factors. The cleanest, most uniform distinction is parity, and only 'three' differs in that respect. Choose the simplest rule that yields a unique outlier. Final Answer: three

Verbal Classification Questions