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Question

Four letter-clusters have been given, out of which three are alike in some manner and one is different. Select the one that is different.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2023 (Tier-II) Paper 1 Previous Year Paper (26-Oct-2023) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

FHJL

Finding the Different Letter Cluster Using Alphabetical Position

In this type of question, we are given several letter clusters, and we need to identify the one that does not follow the same pattern as the others. Often, the pattern relates to the position of the letters in the English alphabet.

Analyzing Letter Positions in Each Cluster

Let's assign a numerical value to each letter based on its position in the alphabet (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26) and examine the difference between consecutive letters in each cluster.

Option 1: HLOP

  • H is the 8th letter.
  • L is the 12th letter.
  • O is the 15th letter.
  • P is the 16th letter.

Numerical sequence: 8, 12, 15, 16.

Differences between consecutive numbers:

  • &(\#x20;12 - 8 = 4&\#x20;)
  • &(\#x20;15 - 12 = 3&\#x20;)
  • &(\#x20;16 - 15 = 1&\#x20;)

Pattern of differences for HLOP: &(\#x20;+4, +3, +1&\#x20;).

Option 2: FHJL

  • F is the 6th letter.
  • H is the 8th letter.
  • J is the 10th letter.
  • L is the 12th letter.

Numerical sequence: 6, 8, 10, 12.

Differences between consecutive numbers:

  • &(\#x20;8 - 6 = 2&\#x20;)
  • &(\#x20;10 - 8 = 2&\#x20;)
  • &(\#x20;12 - 10 = 2&\#x20;)

Pattern of differences for FHJL: &(\#x20;+2, +2, +2&\#x20;).

Option 3: AEHI

  • A is the 1st letter.
  • E is the 5th letter.
  • H is the 8th letter.
  • I is the 9th letter.

Numerical sequence: 1, 5, 8, 9.

Differences between consecutive numbers:

  • &(\#x20;5 - 1 = 4&\#x20;)
  • &(\#x20;8 - 5 = 3&\#x20;)
  • &(\#x20;9 - 8 = 1&\#x20;)

Pattern of differences for AEHI: &(\#x20;+4, +3, +1&\#x20;).

Option 4: QUXY

  • Q is the 17th letter.
  • U is the 21st letter.
  • X is the 24th letter.
  • Y is the 25th letter.

Numerical sequence: 17, 21, 24, 25.

Differences between consecutive numbers:

  • &(\#x20;21 - 17 = 4&\#x20;)
  • &(\#x20;24 - 21 = 3&\#x20;)
  • &(\#x20;25 - 24 = 1&\#x20;)

Pattern of differences for QUXY: &(\#x20;+4, +3, +1&\#x20;).

Identifying the Different Letter Cluster

Comparing the patterns of differences:

  • HLOP: &(\#x20;+4, +3, +1&\#x20;)
  • FHJL: &(\#x20;+2, +2, +2&\#x20;)
  • AEHI: &(\#x20;+4, +3, +1&\#x20;)
  • QUXY: &(\#x20;+4, +3, +1&\#x20;)

It is clear that the pattern for FHJL (&(\#x20;+2, +2, +2&\#x20;)) is different from the pattern observed in the other three clusters (&(\#x20;+4, +3, +1&\#x20;)).

Conclusion on the Different Letter Cluster

Therefore, the letter cluster FHJL is the one that is different.

Summary of Letter Position Differences
Letter Cluster Numerical Positions Differences Pattern
HLOP 8, 12, 15, 16 12-8=4, 15-12=3, 16-15=1 +4, +3, +1
FHJL 6, 8, 10, 12 8-6=2, 10-8=2, 12-10=2 +2, +2, +2
AEHI 1, 5, 8, 9 5-1=4, 8-5=3, 9-8=1 +4, +3, +1
QUXY 17, 21, 24, 25 21-17=4, 24-21=3, 25-24=1 +4, +3, +1

Revision Table: Letter Series and Pattern Recognition

Problems involving letter clusters often require analyzing sequences based on:

  • Alphabetical position (as seen here).
  • Skipping letters.
  • Vowel/consonant patterns.
  • Reversal of letters.

Practicing assigning numerical values quickly can help in solving these types of letter series questions efficiently.

Additional Information: Alphabetical Sequencing for Reasoning

Understanding the standard order of the English alphabet and being able to quickly recall the position number of each letter is fundamental for solving letter series and letter-based analogy or classification problems in reasoning. It is also helpful to know the position of letters from the end of the alphabet (Z=1, Y=2, etc.) for some variations of these questions.

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