Based on alphabetical order, three of the following four letter clusters…
2026
Based on alphabetical order, three of the following four letter clusters follow the same rule and form a group. Which letter cluster does not belong to that group? (Note: The odd one out is not based on the number or positions of consonants and vowels in the cluster.)
Answer: C. YBW — ConceptAssign each letter its alphabetical position from A = 1 to Z = 26. In a three-letter cluster, compare the second and third letters with the first…
- A.
DFB
- B.
GIE
- C.
YBW
- D.
NPL
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Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Concept
Assign each letter its alphabetical position from A = 1 to Z = 26. In a three-letter cluster, compare the second and third letters with the first letter by using forward and backward shifts.
Clusters belong to the same pattern when these relative shifts are identical; cyclic counting is used when a shift crosses Z or A.
Application
DFB gives D = 4, F = 6 and B = 2, so the shifts from D are +2 and −2.
GIE gives G = 7, I = 9 and E = 5, so the shifts from G are +2 and −2.
NPL gives N = 14, P = 16 and L = 12, so the shifts from N are +2 and −2.
YBW gives Y = 25, B = 2 and W = 23. With cyclic counting, Y to B is +3, while Y to W is −2.
Cross-check
The common rule is first letter + 2 and first letter − 2. Reapplying it to Y would produce A and W, not B and W. Therefore, YBW is the letter cluster that does not belong to the group.