Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: MNPO
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This is an odd one out question based on letter sequences. All the options are arrangements of four consecutive letters from the English alphabet. The challenge is not simply to spot the group of letters but to observe the internal order or pattern in which these letters are arranged and then determine which sequence breaks that pattern.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
First, identify the underlying block of letters for each option and then compare the relative position of each letter within that block. If three of the options follow one specific rearrangement pattern of positions and one option follows a different pattern, the latter option is the odd one out. Thus, the key idea is to map each letter to its index within the group of four and compare these index patterns across the answer choices.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: For PSRQ, the underlying block is P Q R S. In that natural order, the positions are P(1), Q(2), R(3), S(4). PSRQ corresponds to indices 1, 4, 3, 2.Step 2: For SVUT, the block is S T U V. In that natural order S(1), T(2), U(3), V(4). The given order S V U T again corresponds to 1, 4, 3, 2.Step 3: For KNML, the block is K L M N, with indices K(1), L(2), M(3), N(4). The sequence K N M L also corresponds to 1, 4, 3, 2.Step 4: For MNPO, the block is M N O P, with M(1), N(2), O(3), P(4). The given order M N P O corresponds to indices 1, 2, 4, 3.Step 5: Compare the index patterns. Options A, B, and D share the same pattern, 1, 4, 3, 2, while option C has a different pattern, 1, 2, 4, 3.
Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative way to verify this is to notice that in PSRQ, SVUT, and KNML, the second letter is the last letter of the underlying series, while the third and fourth letters are the third and second letters respectively. Only MNPO fails to follow this idea because, after the first two letters in correct alphabetical order, it swaps the last two in a different way.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Options A, B, and D behave consistently. They each use a four letter consecutive series and rearrange them in an identical positional pattern. Since the question asks for the sequence that does not follow the same pattern, these three are similar to each other and therefore not the correct odd one out choice.
Common Pitfalls:
Many learners only check whether the letters themselves are consecutive and may mistakenly think that there is no odd one out. Others simply look for a visual difference without analysing the order properly. Another error is to forget that each group is built from four sequential letters and instead treat them as arbitrary jumbles, which hides the consistent internal pattern in three of them.
Final Answer:
The only sequence whose internal order does not match the pattern followed by the other three is MNPO, so this option is the correct odd one out.
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