Question

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.)

• A. KO-RN
• B. QU-XS
• C. NR-UP
• D. BF-ID

Answer 1

Answer:

A. KO-RN

The letter-cluster pair that DOES NOT belong to the group is KO-RN.

• First letter + 7 = Third letter

• Second letter - 2 = Fourth letter

Let's look at the alphabet positions (A=1, B=2... Z=26) to see how each pair breaks down:

• QU-XS:

  • Q (17) + 7 = 24 (X)

  • U (21) - 2 = 19 (S) ➔ Follows pattern

• NR-UP:

  • N (14) + 7 = 21 (U)

  • R (18) - 2 = 16 (P) ➔ Follows pattern

• BF-ID:

  • B (2) + 7 = 9 (I)

  • F (6) - 2 = 4 (D) ➔ Follows pattern

Why KO-RN is the Odd One Out

• KO-RN:

  • K (11) + 7 = 18 (R)

  • O (15) - 1 = 14 (N) ➔ Fails pattern (subtracts 1 instead of 2).