In the letter groups CBED, JILK, TSVU and VZXY, find the odd group based on a repeating alphabetic pattern.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: VZXY

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question is from the alphabet series and coding category. Each option is a group of four letters, and there is a specific positional pattern inside three of the groups. One group breaks this pattern and must be identified as the odd one out. Recognizing these structural patterns is important for solving many reasoning questions efficiently.


Given Data / Assumptions:
The letter groups given are CBED, JILK, TSVU and VZXY. Each group consists of four letters arranged in a specific order. We map letters to their alphabet positions: A = 1, B = 2, and so on up to Z = 26. We compare the numeric patterns within each four letter group.


Concept / Approach:
In such questions, it is often helpful to represent the pattern in terms of a general form. For three of the groups here, the letter positions follow the form x, x - 1, x + 2, x + 1. If three options can be written in this way for some starting value x, and one option cannot, then the one that fails this pattern is the odd one out. Converting to numeric positions makes this much easier to see.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: For CBED, the positions are C = 3, B = 2, E = 5 and D = 4. We can write this as 3, 2, 5, 4, which fits the form x, x - 1, x + 2, x + 1 with x = 3. Step 2: For JILK, the positions are J = 10, I = 9, L = 12 and K = 11. This is 10, 9, 12, 11, which again matches the form x, x - 1, x + 2, x + 1 with x = 10. Step 3: For TSVU, the positions are T = 20, S = 19, V = 22 and U = 21. This gives 20, 19, 22, 21, still fitting the same pattern with x = 20. Step 4: For VZXY, the positions are V = 22, Z = 26, X = 24 and Y = 25. This sequence is 22, 26, 24, 25. It does not match the form x, x - 1, x + 2, x + 1 for any single value of x. Step 5: In CBED, JILK and TSVU, the first pair of letters is in descending order, and the second pair is in descending order after a jump forward of two positions. Step 6: In VZXY, the letters do not follow that structured pattern and move irregularly. Step 7: Therefore, VZXY is the group that breaks the consistent pattern and is the odd one out.


Verification / Alternative check:
You can rewrite the first three groups as two mini pairs each: CB ED, JI LK and TS VU, where each pair is a consecutive descending pair in the alphabet. In CBED, C to B is a step back of one, and E to D is another step back of one. The same structure appears in JILK and TSVU. In VZXY, however, V to Z is a step forward, and X to Y is a step forward, which is different from the descending pairs pattern.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
CBED is not the odd group because it can be expressed in the pattern x, x - 1, x + 2, x + 1. JILK is not the odd group because it follows the same numeric structure as CBED. TSVU is not the odd group because it also matches the pattern of a descending pair followed by another descending pair after a forward jump. VZXY is the odd group because it does not follow the same ordered pattern of positions as the other three groups.


Common Pitfalls:
One pitfall is to focus only on whether the letters appear near each other in the alphabet without checking the exact order and jumps. Another mistake is to examine only one or two groups and assume a pattern without confirming it across all options. To solve such questions reliably, always translate letters into numbers and test the pattern on all options before concluding.


Final Answer:
The letter group that does not follow the repeating pattern of x, x - 1, x + 2, x + 1 and is therefore the odd one out is VZXY.

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