Identify these questions

These types of questions are similar to the “Similar/dissimilar meaning” questions but add an additional dimension that groups like words together. The groups are often created through meaning but can be grouped by parts of speech and purpose.

Here’s what they commonly look like:

All of the words in the box below are alike in some way.

Which of the following options could also be in the box?

(a) purchasers (b) public (c) community (d) protesters

The strategy to answer these questions

To answer these questions:

• Start by finding a group of two words together (the strong link) and then build from there. What you would have left is the ‘odd one out’.
• Use the answer options in the grouping to help you as sometimes they form a strong part of the question.

Let’s try it on this box:

Example Question/s

All of the words in the box below are alike in some way.

Which of the following options could also be in the box?

(a) purchasers (b) public (c) community (d) protesters

Look at the words in the box and work out why they are alike. In this example, they are alike because they all refer to people in interaction with business. The main reason why such words are in the box is that they have a “relationship”. You need to establish what the relationship is in order to answer the question.

Out of the options given, choose one word that could accurately represent the box.

Since the only word that could accurately represent the box is Purchasers, the correct answer is (a). A common mistake with these questions include grouping the words in the box as alike for the wrong reason.

In the previous example, theoretically all of the words do refer to people, and are alike in this way. However, they are also alike for a more specific reason in that they all refer to people who are interacting in some way with business, in terms of buying or using goods or services.

Make sure you understand the meanings of the words in the box and work out why exactly they are alike. When you've worked out the reason, use this same reason to select the word that would also fit in the box or would not fit in the box.

Watch video for explanation of the following question/s:

All of the words below are alike in some way.

annoy rile ruffle vex

Which of the following options could also be in the group above?

A: irk B: appease C: mollify D: burden E: grieve

All of the words below are alike in some way.

murky shadowy dim overcast

Which of the following options could not be in the group above?

A: cloudy B: dull C: foggy D: darkened E: trouble

Key Rules to remember

• Group strongly linked words together to get to an “odd one out” for more difficult questions.
• Use the answer options here as they are key to getting the answer right or wrong and form a strong part of the question.

Practice time!

Now, it's your turn to practice.

Click on the button below and start your practice questions. We recommend doing untimed mode first, and then, when you're ready, do timed mode.

Every question has two solutions videos after you complete the question. The first is a quick 60 second video that shows you how our expert answers the question quickly. The second video is a more in-depth 5-steps or less explainer video that shows you the steps to take to answer the question. It's really important that you review the second video because that's where you'll learn additional tips and tricks.

Once you're done with the practice questions, move on to the next checkpoint.

Now, let's get started on your practice questions.

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