Finding the Odd Letter-Cluster Pair Pattern

This question asks us to identify the letter-cluster pair that is different from the other three. This means three pairs follow a certain rule or pattern of letter arrangement, and one pair does not. We need to examine each pair to discover the pattern.

Analyzing Each Letter-Cluster Pair

Let's look closely at how the letters in the first word of each pair are rearranged to form the second letter cluster.

1. MAGIC : AMGCI
   • The letters in MAGIC are M, A, G, I, C.
   • The letters in AMGCI are A, M, G, C, I.
   • Comparing the positions: The 1st and 2nd letters (M and A) are swapped. The 3rd letter (G) remains in the 3rd position. The 4th and 5th letters (I and C) are swapped.
   • Pattern for MAGIC: Swap 1st & 2nd, Keep 3rd, Swap 4th & 5th.
2. LOGIC : OLGCI
   • The letters in LOGIC are L, O, G, I, C.
   • The letters in OLGCI are O, L, G, C, I.
   • Let's apply the pattern found in the first pair: Swap 1st & 2nd (L and O become O and L). Keep 3rd (G remains G). Swap 4th & 5th (I and C become C and I).
   • Applying the pattern gives OLGCI. This matches the given second cluster. So, this pair follows the same pattern.
3. FIRST : IFRTS
   • The letters in FIRST are F, I, R, S, T.
   • The letters in IFRTS are I, F, R, T, S.
   • Let's apply the pattern: Swap 1st & 2nd (F and I become I and F). Keep 3rd (R remains R). Swap 4th & 5th (S and T become T and S).
   • Applying the pattern gives IFRTS. This matches the given second cluster. So, this pair also follows the same pattern.
4. CREST : RCTES
   • The letters in CREST are C, R, E, S, T.
   • The letters in RCTES are R, C, T, E, S.
   • Let's apply the pattern: Swap 1st & 2nd (C and R become R and C). Keep 3rd (E remains E). Swap 4th & 5th (S and T become T and S).
   • Applying the pattern gives RCE TS. However, the given second cluster is RCTES. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th letters (E, S, T) are rearranged differently (to T, E, S) in RCTES compared to the pattern (E, T, S).
   • Therefore, this pair does not follow the same pattern as the other three.

Summary of Pattern Analysis

We can summarize the analysis in the following table:

As shown in the table, the first three pairs follow the pattern where the first two letters and the last two letters are swapped, while the middle letter stays in its position. The fourth pair, CREST : RCTES, does not follow this specific pattern because the last three letters are rearranged differently.

Conclusion: Identifying the Odd One Out

Based on the pattern analysis, the letter-cluster pair CREST : RCTES is the one that does not follow the same rule as MAGIC : AMGCI, LOGIC : OLGCI, and FIRST : IFRTS. Therefore, it is the odd one out.

Revision Table: Letter Pattern Analysis

Here's a quick look back at the core concept:

• Problem Type: Odd one out / Pattern identification
• Method: Analyze letter positions and rearrangements in each pair.
• Pattern Found: Swap 1st/2nd, Keep 3rd, Swap 4th/5th letters.
• Result: Three pairs follow the pattern, one does not.

Additional Information: Word & Letter Puzzles

Questions involving letter-cluster pairs and finding the odd one out are common in logical reasoning and verbal ability tests. These puzzles test your ability to observe patterns in letter sequences, positions, and transformations. Some common types of letter patterns include:

• Rearrangement of letters based on specific position swaps (like in this question).
• Alphabetical order or reverse alphabetical order within segments of the word.
• Skipping letters in the alphabet between corresponding letters.
• Patterns based on vowel or consonant positions.
• Combining multiple simple rules.

Practicing various types of letter and word puzzles helps improve observation skills and logical thinking for competitive exams.