From the following list of words, identify the one which does not belong to the same meaning group as the others.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Nadir

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This is an odd one out question based on word meanings. Three of the given words represent the same or similar concept, while the fourth word represents the opposite idea. Identifying which word differs in meaning requires basic vocabulary and an understanding of antonyms in English.


Given Data / Assumptions:
- The words given are Zenith, Culminating point, Peak and Nadir.
- We assume Zenith, Culminating point and Peak are used in their usual metaphorical sense of highest point.
- Nadir is to be interpreted in its standard sense in contrast to these.


Concept / Approach:
Zenith refers to the highest point in the sky directly above an observer and is often used metaphorically for the highest point of success or achievement. Culminating point and Peak both convey the idea of the topmost point of something, whether a mountain or a process. Nadir, on the other hand, is the term for the lowest point or the point of greatest adversity. So three words express height or maximum, while one expresses the opposite, minimum or lowest point.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Interpret Zenith as the highest point. Step 2: Recognise that Culminating point means the point of highest development or climax. Step 3: Note that Peak is the topmost point of something, like a hill or performance. Step 4: Understand that Nadir refers to the lowest or most unsuccessful point. Step 5: Identify that Zenith, Culminating point and Peak share similar meanings, while Nadir is opposite in meaning, making Nadir the odd one out.


Verification / Alternative check:
Cross check by pairing words. Zenith and Nadir are well known antonyms: highest point versus lowest point. Culminating point and Peak align semantically with Zenith, not with Nadir. So, there is one natural antonym pair and two clear synonyms of the higher concept, confirming that Nadir is the unique outsider among the four words.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
If you choose Zenith, Culminating point or Peak as the odd one out, the remaining three words would not form a meaningful semantic group. Only when Nadir is singled out do the remaining words form a cohesive cluster representing the highest point, which is what a well structured odd one out question is designed to produce.


Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes misremember the meaning of Nadir and assume it is another synonym for peak because the word appears in abstract contexts. A reliable strategy is to recall the standard pairings Zenith and Nadir for highest and lowest points in figurative language. Remembering such antonym pairs is helpful for many reasoning questions.


Final Answer:
Zenith, Culminating point and Peak all denote the highest point, while Nadir denotes the lowest point, making Nadir the odd one out.

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