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 is the one that DOES NOT belong to that group?
(Note: The odd one out is not based on the number of consonants/vowels or their position the letter-cluster.)

1. A

   OA-TV

2. B

   XM-CI

3. C

   NG-SB

4. D

   UK-ZF

Appeared in: RRB Nsg. Superintendent - 29 April 2025 (Shift-3rd)

Explanation

• The pair XM-CI is the correct answer because it deviates from the logical pattern followed by the other three pairs.
• The established pattern is a (+5, -5) shift, meaning the first letter moves 5 positions forward and the second letter moves 5 positions backward in the alphabet.
• In XM-CI, the first letter shift is correct (X + 5 positions = C), but the second letter shift is incorrect (M - 4 positions = I).
• This (-4) shift makes it the 'odd one out' compared to the consistent (-5) shift in the other options.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: This option is incorrect because it perfectly follows the established (+5, -5) pattern.
• Option C: This option is incorrect because it also adheres to the (+5, -5) rule.
• Option D: This option is incorrect as it fits the group's (+5, -5) pattern.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Chart - A table showing the English alphabet with corresponding numerical positions (A=1 to Z=26) to help visualize the shifts.
• Visual 2: Infographic - A diagram for each option illustrating the forward (+5) and backward (-5 or -4) jumps on a circular alphabet representation.

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Logical Reasoning: Letter Analogy and Classification as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• This question tests logical and analytical reasoning, a foundational skill for nurses.
• Nurses use pattern recognition daily to interpret vital signs, lab results, and patient symptoms to identify deviations from the norm, similar to finding the 'odd one out' in this problem.
• This skill is crucial for early detection of patient deterioration or adverse reactions to treatment.

How to Approach the Question

• First, recognize the task is to find the 'odd one out' from four letter-cluster pairs, which implies three options share a common rule.
• Assign a numerical value to each letter based on its position in the alphabet (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26).
• For each option, analyze the relationship between the first letter of each cluster (e.g., O and T in OA-TV) and the second letter of each cluster (e.g., A and V).
• Calculate the mathematical difference (the positional shift) for both the first and second letters across the hyphen.
• Identify the common pattern of shifts that applies to three of the options. In this case, it's a (+5, -5) shift.
• The option that has a different shift pattern is the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Logical Reasoning: Letter Analogy and Classification
• Stem keywords: letter-cluster pairs, English alphabetical order, alike in a certain way, does not belong
• Lead-in keywords: DOES NOT
• Negative lead-in flag: This is a negative lead-in question, asking to find the option that DOES NOT fit the established pattern.

Question ID

QbyfOE3lMOm3e_fRBsdlAO

Copy ID