Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: MNO
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to detect whether a sequence of letters runs in forward or reverse alphabetical order. Recognizing such direction based patterns is essential in many reasoning questions that involve letter series and coding decoding.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The approach is to check whether each group shows letters arranged in forward order (A to Z) or in reverse order (Z to A). If three groups show decreasing or reverse ordering and one shows increasing or forward ordering, the forward sequence becomes the odd one out.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: For YXW, the letters are Y, X, and W. In the alphabet, Y comes before X and X comes before W when read backward from Z, so this is a reverse alphabetical sequence.
Step 2: For LKJ, the letters L, K, and J appear consecutively when you move from L backward, so LKJ is also in reverse order.
Step 3: For RQP, the letters R, Q, and P again form a clear reverse alphabetical sequence.
Step 4: For MNO, the letters M, N, and O move in forward order, not reverse. M is followed by N, and N is followed by O when moving forward through the alphabet.
Step 5: Since three groups follow reverse alphabetical order and one group follows forward order, the forward order group is the odd one out.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can confirm this conclusion by assigning numerical positions to the letters. For YXW, the positions are 25, 24, and 23. For LKJ, they are 12, 11, and 10. For RQP, they are 18, 17, and 16. All these sequences show decreasing values. For MNO, the positions are 13, 14, and 15, which clearly increase. This numerical approach verifies the same pattern difference.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may only check whether the letters are consecutive without paying attention to direction. Since all four groups contain consecutive letters of the alphabet, this can be confusing. The essential difference is direction: three are decreasing sequences and one is an increasing sequence. Ignoring direction often leads to the wrong answer.
Final Answer:
MNO
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