Five words are given below. Four of them are similar. Choose the word which is not similar to the remaining words: Paper, Wool, Wood, Plastic?

1. A

   Paper

2. B

   Wool

3. C

   Wood

4. D

   Plastic

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Delhi-2015

Explanation

• Plastic is the correct answer as it is the only synthetic material in the group.
• It is a polymer derived from petrochemicals through industrial chemical processes.
• Unlike the other options, plastic is generally non-biodegradable, meaning it does not decompose naturally over a short period.
• The key differentiator is its artificial, man-made origin compared to the natural origins of the other materials.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: Paper is incorrect because it is a natural material, derived from wood pulp from trees. This makes it similar to wool and wood.
• Option B: Wool is incorrect because it is a natural fiber obtained from animals. This shares the 'natural origin' characteristic with paper and wood.
• Option C: Wood is incorrect because it is a raw natural material obtained directly from trees. It fits into the category of natural products along with paper and wool.

Related Visual

• Visual 1: Infographic: A chart comparing natural materials (wood, cotton, wool, silk) with synthetic materials (plastic, nylon, polyester), showing their sources and properties.

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Classification of materials based on their origin (Natural vs. Synthetic) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Understanding the difference between natural and synthetic materials is relevant in healthcare for selecting appropriate products.
• For example, natural fibers like cotton and wool are used for patient bedding and gowns for comfort and breathability.
• Synthetic materials like plastic are essential for sterile, single-use items such as syringes, IV bags, and catheters to prevent infection.

How to Approach the Question

• First, analyze each word in the list: Paper, Wool, Wood, Plastic.
• Identify a common characteristic or category that links most of the words. In this case, consider their origin.
• Determine the origin of each material: Paper (trees), Wool (animals), Wood (trees). These are all-natural sources.
• Determine the origin of the last material: Plastic (petrochemicals). This is a synthetic or man-made source.
• The word that does not fit the common category (natural origin) is the 'odd one out'.
• Therefore, Plastic is the correct answer because it is synthetic, while the others are natural.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Classification of materials based on their origin (Natural vs. Synthetic).
• Stem keywords: Paper, Wool, Wood, Plastic
• Lead-in keywords: not similar
• Negative lead-in flag: not similar

Question ID

QPtW-xc1ZdV9ztygU6DcZ1

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