Based on the English alphabetical order, three of the following four letter-cluster pairs are alike in a certain way and thus form a group. Which letter-cluster pair DOES NOT belong to that group? (Note: The odd one out is not based on the number of consonants/vowels or their position in the letter-cluster.)

1. A

   SZ – QB

2. B

   HZ – EB

3. C

   AR – YT

4. D

   WV – UX

Appeared in: DSSSB 14 August 2024

Explanation

• The pair HZ – EB is the correct answer because it is the only option that deviates from the established pattern.
• In this pair, the first letter 'H' shifts 3 positions backward in the alphabet to become 'E'.
• The other three pairs all follow a consistent pattern where the first letter shifts 2 positions backward.
• The second letter in all four pairs, including this one, consistently shifts 2 positions forward.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This option is incorrect because it follows the common pattern. 'S' shifts 2 positions back to 'Q', and 'Z' shifts 2 positions forward to 'B'.
• Option C: This option is incorrect because it adheres to the group's pattern. 'A' shifts 2 positions back to 'Y' (wrapping around the alphabet), and 'R' shifts 2 positions forward to 'T'.
• Option D: This option is incorrect as it conforms to the established pattern. 'W' shifts 2 positions back to 'U', and 'V' shifts 2 positions forward to 'X'.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning: Odd One Out (Letter Analogy) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• While not a clinical question, logical reasoning is a critical skill for nurses in pattern recognition.
• Nurses use similar analytical skills to identify subtle changes in a patient's condition, interpret lab results, and connect seemingly unrelated symptoms to make a correct clinical judgment.
• This skill is essential for prioritizing care, troubleshooting equipment, and ensuring patient safety by catching anomalies before they become critical issues.

How to Approach the Question

• First, understand the objective: you need to find the one pair that does not follow the same rule as the other three.
• Analyze the relationship within one pair, for example, SZ – QB. Compare the first letters (S and Q) and the second letters (Z and B).
• Calculate the positional shift in the alphabet. S (19th) to Q (17th) is a shift of -2. Z (26th) to B (2nd) is a shift of +2 (wrapping around from Z to A, then B).
• Hypothesize that the pattern is (-2, +2).
• Test this hypothesis on the other options. AR-YT (A-2=Y, R+2=T) and WV-UX (W-2=U, V+2=X) both fit the pattern.
• Check the remaining option, HZ-EB. H (8th) to E (5th) is a shift of -3. This breaks the pattern.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Logical Reasoning: Odd One Out (Letter Analogy)
• Stem keywords: English alphabetical order, letter-cluster pairs, alike, form a group, DOES NOT belong
• Lead-in keywords: DOES NOT
• Negative lead-in flag: The question asks to identify the option that DOES NOT belong to the group.

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Qh_MVc1C7VIzmvxPXk7SV

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