Select the odd word from the given alternatives: Stream, Rivulet, River, and Valley.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Valley

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This verbal reasoning question tests your ability to categorise geographical terms and identify which one does not belong in a group of related words. These types of odd one out questions are common in competitive exams and general knowledge tests because they require both vocabulary knowledge and logical classification skills.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The given words are Stream, Rivulet, River, and Valley.
  • Three of these terms refer to flowing bodies of water.
  • One term refers to a landform rather than a flow of water.
  • We assume standard geography textbook meanings for each term.


Concept / Approach:
The main idea is to separate water bodies from landforms. A stream is a small flowing body of water. A rivulet is an even smaller stream, often described as a small brook. A river is a large natural stream of water flowing toward a sea, lake, or another river. A valley, however, is a low area of land between hills or mountains, often with a river or stream running through it but not itself a water body. By grouping the water bodies together, we can easily see that Valley is different and thus the odd word.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider the word Stream. It denotes a small, narrow, flowing body of water. Step 2: Consider the word Rivulet. It refers to a very small stream or brook, which is again flowing water. Step 3: Consider the word River. It indicates a large, natural flowing watercourse that moves toward another water body. Step 4: Consider the word Valley. It describes a low area of land between hills or mountains, which may contain a river or stream, but is itself not a water body. Step 5: Group Stream, Rivulet, and River together as flowing water bodies. Step 6: Observe that Valley is a landform rather than a form of water, so it does not fit the main group. Step 7: Conclude that Valley is the odd word out among the four options.


Verification / Alternative check:
A simple verification is to ask, can this word be described as water itself or as land. Stream, Rivulet, and River all describe water in motion. They can be described entirely in terms of water volume, flow, and direction. Valley, in contrast, refers to a feature of the landscape. Water may flow through a valley, but the valley remains defined by the land shape, not by water. This conceptual separation confirms that Valley is the different term in the list.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Stream is a flowing water body and falls into the same category as Rivulet and River, so it is not the odd one out.
Rivulet is simply a smaller form of a stream, again a water body, and thus fits the main pattern of the group.
River is a larger flowing water body and clearly belongs with Stream and Rivulet, not with Valley as a landform, so it is not the odd option.


Common Pitfalls:
Some students may confuse Valley with water because many valleys have rivers flowing through them and are frequently depicted with water in pictures. This can cause them to see all four words as water related and miss the difference. Another mistake is to focus on size only, trying to order Stream, Rivulet, and River by size and forgetting to classify Valley properly. To avoid such errors, always think about the core definition of each word. Ask whether it is primarily about water or primarily about land. This method will guide you to the correct odd one out in geography related questions.


Final Answer:
The odd word is Valley.

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