Question

Based on the English alphabetical order, three of the following four letter-clusters are alike in a certain way and thus form a group. Which letter-cluster 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. SLJD
• B. DWVO
• C. XQOI
• D. IBZT

Answer 1

Answer:

B. DWVO

The correct letter-cluster that does not belong to the group is DWVO.

If we convert each letter into its numerical position in the English alphabetical order ($A=1, B=2, \dots, Z=26$), three of the four clusters follow a specific backward-shifting pattern between consecutive letters: $-7, -2, -6$.

• SLJD:

  • $S\ (19) \xrightarrow{-7} L\ (12)$

  • $L\ (12) \xrightarrow{-2} J\ (10)$

  • $J\ (10) \xrightarrow{-6} D\ (4)$

  • (Follows the pattern)

• XQOI:

  • $X\ (24) \xrightarrow{-7} Q\ (17)$

  • $Q\ (17) \xrightarrow{-2} O\ (15)$

  • $O\ (15) \xrightarrow{-6} I\ (9)$

  • (Follows the pattern)

• IBZT:

  • $I\ (9) \xrightarrow{-7} B\ (2)$

  • $B\ (2) \xrightarrow{-2} Z\ (26)$ (counting backwards: $B \rightarrow A \rightarrow Z$)

  • $Z\ (26) \xrightarrow{-6} T\ (20)$

  • (Follows the pattern)

• DWVO:

  • $D\ (4) \xrightarrow{-7} W\ (23)$

  • $W\ (23) \xrightarrow{\mathbf{-1}} V\ (22)$ [Incorrect step; should be $-2$ ($U$)]

  • $V\ (22) \xrightarrow{-7} O\ (15)$

  • (Does NOT follow the pattern)