From the words Bigger, Faster, Greater and Taller, identify the odd comparative based on its meaning.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Faster

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This verbal reasoning question asks you to find which comparative adjective among the given options does not belong to the same group by meaning. All four words are comparatives, but three describe size or extent, while one describes speed. This type of classification is common in aptitude tests and helps assess your understanding of subtle differences in word meaning.


Given Data / Assumptions:
The given words are Bigger, Faster, Greater and Taller. All four words are comparative forms, used to compare two things. We look at the quality or attribute that each comparative adjective describes. We assume standard everyday meanings of these English words.


Concept / Approach:
The central idea is to group words by the type of quality they compare. Bigger and Greater both deal with size, amount or magnitude. Taller also deals with physical height, which is another aspect of size. Faster, however, refers to speed, that is, how quickly something moves or happens. Since three words are related to size or magnitude and one word is related to speed, the speed related term becomes the odd one out. Looking at the underlying attribute rather than just the grammar form helps solve this quickly.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Bigger is the comparative form of big and is used when one object has greater size, volume or magnitude than another. Step 2: Greater is the comparative form of great and often refers to higher quantity, importance or magnitude, again falling into the broad idea of size or extent. Step 3: Taller is the comparative form of tall and specifically describes greater height, which is another dimension of physical size. Step 4: Faster is the comparative form of fast and is used to say that something moves or happens with more speed than something else. Step 5: Therefore, Bigger, Greater and Taller all relate to size or magnitude, while Faster relates to speed. Step 6: The word that compares speed rather than size is different from the others and is the odd one out.


Verification / Alternative check:
You can test each word in a sentence such as this car is bigger, this number is greater or this building is taller, all of which relate to some measure of size or amount. When you say this car is faster, you are clearly comparing speed, not size, which confirms that its meaning stands apart. No reasonable interpretation makes Faster a size based comparative in the same way as Bigger, Greater and Taller.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Bigger is not the odd word because it describes a difference in size or magnitude. Greater is not the odd word because it also conveys the idea of increased size, amount or importance. Taller is not the odd word because it refers to greater height, which is a particular form of size comparison. Faster is the odd word because it describes speed, not size or magnitude, and thus belongs to a different category.


Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may focus only on the grammatical similarity that all four words are comparatives and ignore the difference in meaning. Another mistake is to search for complex relationships between the words when a simple classification by attribute is sufficient. To avoid these issues, always ask what specific quality each comparative is measuring, such as size, speed, weight or height.


Final Answer:
The comparative adjective that refers to speed rather than size and is therefore the odd one out is Faster.

Discussion & Comments

No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Join Discussion