SSC CGL Preparation – Day 4

Reasoning – Odd One Out

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✅ What is “Odd One Out”?

“Odd One Out” questions assess your ability to identify the item that doesn’t belong in a given group. Among the options provided, three share a common characteristic, while one differs. Your task is to pinpoint the item that doesn’t fit the established pattern.​

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🧠 Types of Odd One Out Questions

1. Number-Based

Identify patterns based on mathematical properties:

• Squares/Cubes: e.g., 4 (2²), 9 (3²), 27 (3³), 16 (4²) → 27 is the odd one (cube).​
• Prime/Composite Numbers: e.g., 2, 3, 5, 9 → 9 is composite; others are prime.​
• Even/Odd Numbers: e.g., 2, 4, 6, 7 → 7 is odd; others are even.​
• Divisibility: e.g., 10, 20, 30, 33 → 33 is not divisible by 10.​

2. Alphabet-Based

Focus on letter positions and patterns:​

• Vowels vs. Consonants: e.g., A, E, I, B → B is a consonant; others are vowels.​
• Alphabetical Order: e.g., D, E, F, H → H breaks the sequence.​
• Letter Positions: e.g., B (2), D (4), F (6), G (7) → G is odd; others are even positions.​

3. Word-Based

Assess semantic relationships:​

• Categories: e.g., Apple, Banana, Carrot, Mango → Carrot is a vegetable; others are fruits.​
• Synonyms/Antonyms: e.g., Happy, Joyful, Elated, Sad → Sad is an antonym; others are synonyms.​
• Functional Differences: e.g., Pen, Pencil, Eraser, Notebook → Eraser serves a different function.​

4. General Knowledge-Based

Incorporate factual knowledge:​

• Geography: e.g., Delhi, Mumbai, Paris, Kolkata → Paris is not in India.​
• Science: e.g., Mercury, Venus, Earth, Moon → Moon is a satellite; others are planets.​
• History: e.g., Gandhi, Nehru, Lincoln, Bose → Lincoln was not an Indian leader.​

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🎯 Tips and Tricks

• Identify Common Traits: Look for shared characteristics among options.​
• Elimination Method: Rule out options that clearly belong together.​
• Stay Updated: General knowledge questions require current affairs awareness.​
• Practice Regularly: Familiarity with patterns enhances speed and accuracy.​

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📌 Example Questions

1. Find the odd one out: 2, 3, 5, 9​

• A) 2
• B) 3
• C) 5
• D) 9

Answer: D) 9​

Explanation: 2, 3, and 5 are prime numbers; 9 is not.​

2. Select the odd one out: A, E, I, U​

• A) A
• B) E
• C) I
• D) U

Answer: D) U​

Explanation: A, E, and I are the first three vowels; U is the fifth.​

3. Choose the odd one out: Apple, Banana, Carrot, Mango​

• A) Apple
• B) Banana
• C) Carrot
• D) Mango

Answer: C) Carrot​

Explanation: Carrot is a vegetable; others are fruits.​