Based on the English alphabetical order, three of the following four…
2026
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 pair does not belong to that group? (Note: The odd one out is not based on the number of consonants or vowels, or on their positions within a letter cluster.)
Answer: D. VW – XZ — ConceptAssign each alphabet letter its position, with A = 1, B = 2, …, Z = 26. Compare the forward displacement of corresponding letters in every cluster…
- A.
DE – FI
- B.
PQ – RU
- C.
IJ – KN
- D.
VW – XZ
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Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
Assign each alphabet letter its position, with A = 1, B = 2, …, Z = 26. Compare the forward displacement of corresponding letters in every cluster pair.
A group follows one common ordered pair of displacements; the odd pair is the one whose ordered displacement pair differs from that shared pattern.
Application
Pair | First displacement | Second displacement | Ordered pair |
|---|---|---|---|
DE → FI | D(4) → F(6): +2 | E(5) → I(9): +4 | (+2, +4) |
PQ → RU | P(16) → R(18): +2 | Q(17) → U(21): +4 | (+2, +4) |
IJ → KN | I(9) → K(11): +2 | J(10) → N(14): +4 | (+2, +4) |
VW → XZ | V(22) → X(24): +2 | W(23) → Z(26): +3 | (+2, +3) |
Cross-check
The common rule adds 2 to the first letter and 4 to the second. It reproduces FI, RU, and KN; applying it to VW would produce XA after wrapping past Z, not XZ.
Therefore, VW – XZ is the pair that does not belong to the group.