Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Cot
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This verbal reasoning question tests your ability to classify everyday objects based on a common functional property and to identify the odd one out. Such questions are common in bank exams, SSC exams and other aptitude tests because they check whether you can quickly see patterns and group similar items together while isolating the item that does not fit the main category.
Given Data / Assumptions:
The four given items are: sheet, pillow, cot and quilt.
All the items are associated with sleeping or resting arrangements in a household context.
You must pick the item that is different in terms of broad category or functional type, not just a minor difference such as size or color.
Treat everyday meanings of these words as used in normal English vocabulary questions.
Concept / Approach:
The core idea is to identify which items belong to the same functional group and which one belongs to a different group. In this question, three of the objects are soft bedding materials used on a bed, while one object is a piece of furniture that supports those bedding materials. Once you notice this distinction, the odd item becomes clear.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: List the items and recall what each one is used for in daily life.
Step 2: A sheet is a large piece of cloth spread on a bed or used to cover a person.
Step 3: A pillow is a soft cushion used to support the head while sleeping.
Step 4: A quilt is a thick, padded covering used to keep the body warm while sleeping.
Step 5: A cot is a light bed or bed frame used to lie on, often made of wood or metal, and other bedding items are placed on it.
Step 6: Notice that sheet, pillow and quilt are all soft bedding articles, whereas a cot is the underlying piece of furniture.
Step 7: Therefore, cot is the only item that belongs to the category “bed furniture” while the others are “bedding accessories”.
Verification / Alternative check:
Another way to verify is to ask: which of these items would usually be purchased from a furniture shop as a bed structure and which are bought as soft furnishings or bedding? Typically, cot is sold as furniture, while sheets, pillows and quilts are bought as bed linen or bedding. This confirms that cot stands apart from the rest.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Sheet: This is a soft bedding item, used on top of a mattress or to cover the body, so it belongs with pillow and quilt.
Pillow: This is also a soft bedding accessory and not a piece of furniture, so it is similar to sheet and quilt, not the odd one out.
Quilt: This is another soft bedding accessory used for warmth. It is not furniture, so it is part of the main bedding group.
Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to overthink subtle differences, such as which item covers the body or which is used seasonally. The exam expects you to focus on broad functional categories, not minor usage differences. Remember that classification questions rarely require very technical distinctions; they rely on everyday understanding of categories like furniture versus bedding accessories.
Final Answer:
The only furniture item among the given options, and therefore the odd one out, is Cot.
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