Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Acrobat
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Vocabulary classification frequently contrasts parts of speech. “Swim,” “run,” and “anticipate” are verbs describing actions or mental processes. “Acrobat” is a common noun referring to a person who performs gymnastic feats. The presence of a noun among verbs forms the intended outlier in a 3-to-1 split that tests grammatical awareness as much as meaning recognition.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Identify the grammatical category. If exactly one word is a noun and the others are verbs, the noun is the odd one. This approach remains robust even when some verbs can function as nouns in different contexts because the canonical part of speech in simple listings is preferred in reasoning tests.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Substitute syntactically: “to ____” fits swim/run/anticipate but not acrobat. Conversely, “the ____” fits acrobat but not the verbs without derivation.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Overemphasizing alternate noun senses of “run.” In test conventions, simple bare forms are read as verbs unless context forces otherwise.
Final Answer:
Acrobat
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