Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: KMNP
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to identify consistent step patterns across multiple letters in a group. Recognizing evenly spaced sequences in the alphabet is a critical skill in verbal reasoning and series based questions.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The idea is to convert each letter group into a sequence of numerical positions and then examine the differences between consecutive positions. If three groups have a constant step size, such as +2, and one group does not, that irregular group becomes the odd one out.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider ACEG. The letters A, C, E, and G have positions 1, 3, 5, and 7. The differences are +2, +2, and +2, so this group follows a regular +2 step pattern.
Step 2: Consider HJLN. The letters H, J, L, and N have positions 8, 10, 12, and 14. The successive differences are again +2, +2, and +2, so this group also follows the same regular +2 pattern.
Step 3: Consider TVXZ. The letters T, V, X, and Z have positions 20, 22, 24, and 26. The differences are +2, +2, and +2, so this group also maintains the same +2 skip pattern.
Step 4: Now look at KMNP. The letters K, M, N, and P correspond to positions 11, 13, 14, and 16. The differences here are +2 from 11 to 13, +1 from 13 to 14, and +2 from 14 to 16, which is not a uniform step.
Step 5: Since ACEG, HJLN, and TVXZ all follow a consistent +2 skip pattern, while KMNP does not, KMNP is the odd letter group.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this further by visually writing out the alphabet and marking the letters involved. ACEG will highlight every second letter from A onward. HJLN and TVXZ show the same pattern of skipping one letter between each chosen letter. KMNP, however, shows an irregular pattern where the skip is not uniform between all letters. This visualization confirms the irregularity of KMNP compared to the others.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Some students may focus only on the idea that letters are spaced out and may not notice that in KMNP the spacing changes in the middle. A careful check of numeric positions and differences avoids such oversight. Always compute all intermediate gaps, especially when groups involve more than two letters.
Final Answer:
KMNP
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