Question

In each of the following two sets I & II, find the word or pair of words different from the other three words or pair of words:

Set I: J. Lake, K. Brook, L. Stream, M. River
Set II: J. Weighty-Heavy, K. Broad-Wide, L. Big-Large, M. Tiny-Small

• A. I-J, II-J
• B. I-K, II-M
• C. I-K, II-J
• D. I-J, II-K

Hint:

Look for the underlying category, flowing water versus still water in Set I, and size versus weight in Set II.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This classification question hides its logic behind everyday words, so the fastest way to solve it is to name the exact property each item measures, rather than just its dictionary meaning.

1. Lake: a body of water that sits still in one place and does not move along a channel.
2. Brook: a small narrow channel of water that flows continuously from one place to another.
3. Stream: also a flowing channel of water, similar to a brook but the general word for a watercourse.
4. River: a large flowing channel of water, again defined by its movement, not by standing still.

Three of these four, Brook, Stream and River, are defined by the fact that the water moves. Lake is defined by the fact that the water does not move. So Lake, item J, is the odd one out in Set I.

1. Weighty-Heavy: both words describe how much something weighs, that is, its mass.
2. Broad-Wide: both words describe how much space something takes up sideways, a measure of size.
3. Big-Large: both words describe overall size in a general sense.
4. Tiny-Small: both words also describe overall size, just at the small end of the scale.

Broad-Wide, Big-Large and Tiny-Small are all synonym pairs about size or dimension, whether that is large or small does not matter, the property being measured is still size. Weighty-Heavy is the only pair among the four that measures weight instead of size, so it stands apart. That makes Weighty-Heavy, item J, the odd one out in Set II.

Let's summarize:

• Set I: Lake is still water, the other three are flowing water, so J is the odd one out.
• Set II: Weighty-Heavy is about weight, the other three are about size, so J is the odd one out.

The correct answer is option (1), I-J, II-J.