Four occupation-related words are given – mechanic, blacksmith, engineer and mason. Three of them refer mainly to skilled manual workers or tradespeople. Which word is least like the others in this group?

Introduction / Context:
This verbal reasoning question asks you to classify occupations and identify the one that is different from the others. Such problems test your understanding of job roles and categories, especially the distinction between professional occupations and skilled manual trades. You need to decide which job title does not belong to the same broad class as the others.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The occupations listed are mechanic, blacksmith, engineer and mason.
You are expected to know, at a basic level, what type of work each occupation involves.
Three of the occupations are primarily skilled manual trades, typically involving hands on physical work, while one is commonly treated as a professional or technical job requiring higher formal education.
The answer is the job title that differs in this classification.

Concept / Approach:
In aptitude tests, a common pattern is to group blue collar or manual trades together and contrast them with white collar or professional occupations. A mechanic, blacksmith and mason are well known as tradespeople who work mainly with tools and materials in a manual way. An engineer, by contrast, is usually associated with design, planning and technical analysis, often requiring a formal engineering degree and less exclusively manual labour.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: A mechanic is a skilled worker who repairs or maintains machines, engines or vehicles. The work is largely manual and technical, involving tools and physical labour. Step 2: A blacksmith is a tradesperson who works with metal, especially iron, by heating and hammering it to create or repair objects such as tools, horseshoes and hardware. This is clearly a physical trade. Step 3: A mason is a skilled worker who builds or repairs structures using stone, brick or concrete. Masonry involves heavy manual work at construction sites. Step 4: An engineer, on the other hand, usually refers to a professional who designs, plans and analyses systems, structures or machines. While an engineer may sometimes visit sites or handle equipment, the core role is professional and intellectual, supported by specialized technical education. Step 5: Group the occupations: mechanic, blacksmith and mason are skilled manual workers or tradespeople, whereas engineer is a professional role that relies more on formal education and design responsibilities. Step 6: Therefore, engineer is the odd one out because it represents a different category of occupation.

Verification / Alternative check:
As a quick check, you can consider typical educational pathways. Mechanics, blacksmiths and masons usually train through apprenticeships, vocational courses or on the job experience. Engineers normally complete a formal engineering degree and often work in offices, design departments or as supervisors at sites. This difference in training and primary work focus confirms that engineer belongs to a different classification than the other three jobs.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Mechanic: A hands on technical worker repairing machines; fits the manual trade category.
Blacksmith: A classic manual craftsperson working with hot metal; also part of the trade group.
Mason: A construction site worker specialising in brick and stone; clearly a skilled manual labourer.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes get confused because engineers may also work at industrial sites and wear similar safety gear. However, the nature of their role is mainly planning and design rather than direct manual crafting. Focus on the usual classification of the job titles rather than on possible overlapping environments.

Final Answer:
The occupation that is least like the others, and thus the odd one out, is Engineer.