đ Whatâs Inside This CAT Misfit Sentence/Odd One Out Question Post?
đ Authentic CAT Misfit Sentence/Odd One Out Question: Practice with a real CAT Para-jumble Question from a previous CAT exam.
â
Detailed Question with Step-by-Step Solution: Each question is explained thoroughly for better understanding.
đ Vocabulary Enhancement: Top 5 words explained from the paragraph
Misfit Sentence/Odd One Out Question
Q.20 Five jumbled up sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd sentence and key in the number of that sentence as your answer.
1. Self-care particularly links to loneliness, behavioural problems, and negative academic outcomes.
2. âLatchkey childrenâ refers to children who routinely return home from school to empty homes and take care of themselves for extended periods of time.
3. Although self-care generally points to negative outcomes, it is important to consider that the bulk of research has yet to track long-term consequences.
4. In research and practice, the phrase âchildren in self-careâ has come to replace latchkey in an effort to more accurately reflect the nature of their circumstances.
5. Although parents might believe that self-care would be beneficial for development, recent research has found quite the opposite.
Solution with Explanation
Possible Answer: 3
Explanation:
The paragraph centers around the concept of "self-care" in the context of latchkey childrenâthose who take care of themselves after school due to the absence of adult supervision. The sentences discuss the implications, terminology, and research findings related to this phenomenon.
- Sentence 1 addresses the link between self-care and negative outcomes such as loneliness and academic issues.
- Sentence 2 introduces the concept of "latchkey children," explaining who they are.
- Sentence 4 discusses the shift in terminology from "latchkey children" to "children in self-care" to better describe their circumstances.
- Sentence 5 mentions that despite parental beliefs, research indicates self-care may not be beneficial.
Sentence 3 is the odd one out because it brings up a point about the limitations of long-term research on self-care outcomes, which diverges slightly from the specific discussion about latchkey children and their immediate effects. The focus of this sentence does not align with the immediate topic of terminology and negative short-term impacts.
Word-1: Behavioural
Context:
"Self-care particularly links to loneliness, behavioural problems, and negative academic outcomes." - The Guardian
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word "behavioural" refers to anything related to behaviourâthe way people act or respond in different situations. It is commonly used in psychology, education, and healthcare to describe patterns or issues in human actions and conduct. In this context, "behavioural problems" mean difficulties in managing actions, emotions, or interactions, often observed in children and adolescents and linked to social or academic issues.
Meaning: Relating to how people behave or act, especially in response to their environment or emotions (Adjective)
Pronunciation: bih-hayv-yer-uhl
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic
Etymology: From "behaviour" (from Old French *behaveir*, meaning "to conduct oneself") + the suffix *-al* (forming adjectives)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Behavioural" is a key academic word in psychology, sociology, and education. Often used with terms like âproblemsâ, âtherapyâ, âpatternsâ, and âscienceâ. Note the UK spelling with "u"; in American English, it is spelled "behavioral". Both are correct based on context.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: conduct-related, psychological, reactional, responsive
Antonyms: cognitive, emotional (contextual contrasts, not strict opposites)
Usage Examples:
- The child was referred to a specialist for behavioural assessment.
- Behavioural therapy helps patients understand and change unhealthy patterns.
- The study found a link between social media use and behavioural issues in teens.
- Schools often implement behavioural support plans for students facing challenges.
Cultural Reference:
âBehavioural scienceâ is a major field combining psychology, sociology, and anthropology to understand why humans act the way they doâused in everything from marketing to public policy.
Think About It:
To what extent are behavioural problems a result of environment rather than personality or biology?
Quick Activity:
Write a sentence using âbehaviouralâ to describe a pattern you've observed in yourself or someone else.
Memory Tip:
Link "behavioural" to "behave"âif itâs about how someone behaves, it's behavioural.
Real-World Application:
Behavioural analysis is used in education, therapy, marketing, and even criminal justice to understand and influence actions. Recognizing behavioural patterns can help improve learning, health, and social outcomes.
Word-2: Outcomes
Context:
"Self-care particularly links to loneliness, behavioural problems, and negative academic outcomes." - The Guardian
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Outcomes" refers to the results or consequences of actions, events, or processes. In education, health, or policy discussions, outcomes are often used to assess the effectiveness of programs or behaviors. In the given context, "academic outcomes" describe how students perform or succeed in school â including grades, attendance, and overall achievement. The word suggests a final state that is shaped by earlier inputs or behaviors.
Meaning: Results or effects of an action, situation, or process (Noun, plural)
Pronunciation: out-kumz
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic
Etymology: From Middle English *outcome*, meaning "result"; literally "what comes out" of a situation
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Outcomes" is a common term in academic writing and formal assessments. Whether you're analyzing social policies, school reforms, or personal goals, think of outcomes as the measurable end results. Pairs frequently with words like "learning," "health," "economic," or "desired."
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: results, consequences, effects, findings, returns
Antonyms: causes, inputs, beginnings, sources
Usage Examples:
- Effective teaching methods improve student learning outcomes.
- The policy failed to produce the expected economic outcomes.
- Health outcomes often vary depending on access to care.
- Time management plays a major role in academic outcomes.
Cultural Reference:
âWe must focus on outcomes, not activities.â â A common phrase in management and education reform, emphasizing results over effort alone.
Think About It:
Are outcomes always a fair measure of effort? What other factors can shape the final result of a situation?
Quick Activity:
Write down one personal or academic goal. Then list two possible outcomesâone positive and one negativeâthat could result from your actions.
Memory Tip:
âOut-comeâ literally means âwhat comes outâ â picture an outcome as the final product after a process or decision.
Real-World Application:
Outcomes are used in research, policy analysis, healthcare, education, and business. Whether designing a training program or evaluating student success, tracking outcomes helps determine what works and what needs improvement.
Word-3: Consequences
Context:
"Although self-care generally points to negative outcomes, it is important to consider that the bulk of research has yet to track long-term consequences." - The Guardian
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Consequences" are the results or effects that follow an action, event, or decisionâoften highlighting the long-term impact. The word can carry a neutral, positive, or negative tone, but it is frequently used to refer to serious or undesired effects. In this sentence, it suggests that while we understand the immediate results of self-care patterns, the long-term impactâor consequencesâstill need to be studied and understood.
Meaning: Outcomes or results that follow from an action or event, especially ones that are important or significant (Noun, plural)
Pronunciation: kon-suh-kwen-siz
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic
Etymology: From Latin *consequentia*, meaning "that which follows closely"; *con-* (with) + *sequi* (to follow)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a very common word in argument-based reading and writing. "Consequences" is usually more weighty than âresultsâ or âoutcomesâ and often suggests seriousness. You'll see it in social science, law, medicine, and ethics-related topics.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: results, effects, repercussions, impacts, outcomes
Antonyms: causes, triggers, reasons, sources
Usage Examples:
- Skipping sleep for several nights can have serious health consequences.
- The policy had unintended social consequences that affected thousands.
- She weighed the consequences before making her final decision.
- Long-term consequences of poor diet often include chronic diseases.
Cultural Reference:
"Every action has consequences." â A common phrase in moral and philosophical discussions, often used in films, books, and classroom teachings to emphasize accountability.
Think About It:
Are people more likely to act responsibly when they clearly understand the consequences of their actions?
Quick Activity:
Write a sentence predicting a possible long-term consequence of a current trend (e.g., AI use, climate change, or social media habits).
Memory Tip:
âConsequencesâ = âwhat comes nextâ â imagine a chain reaction: one event leads directly to a result.
Real-World Application:
Understanding consequences is crucial in decision-making, risk analysis, law, education, and ethics. It's a core concept in developing critical thinking and evaluating the impact of policies, behaviors, and technologies.
Word-4: Circumstances
Context:
"In research and practice, the phrase âchildren in self-careâ has come to replace latchkey in an effort to more accurately reflect the nature of their circumstances." - The Guardian
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Circumstances" refers to the facts, conditions, or situations that surround a person or event and influence how things happen. These can include social, economic, emotional, or environmental factors. In the context of the sentence, "circumstances" highlights the specific realities that children in self-care face, such as being left alone due to parents' work schedules or financial constraints.
Meaning: The conditions or facts that affect a situation, action, or individual (Noun, plural)
Pronunciation: sur-kuhm-stan-siz
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic
Etymology: From Latin *circum* (around) + *stare* (to stand), originally meaning "what stands around"
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a highly versatile word used in everyday conversation and formal writing. It's important for discussing context, especially in essays related to society, poverty, justice, and education. Often seen in phrases like âunder these circumstances,â âdue to circumstances,â or âchanging circumstances.â
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: conditions, situations, factors, surroundings, context
Antonyms: constants, certainties, invariants (in context)
Usage Examples:
- Due to unforeseen circumstances, the event was postponed.
- The judge considered the defendantâs circumstances before announcing the verdict.
- Her difficult circumstances made it hard for her to focus on studies.
- In some circumstances, children are left alone out of necessity rather than neglect.
Cultural Reference:
âPomp and Circumstanceâ is a famous piece of ceremonial music often played at graduations, highlighting how the word âcircumstanceâ can also relate to formality and context.
Think About It:
How much of a personâs success is determined by their effort versus their circumstances?
Quick Activity:
Write two sentences describing different life circumstancesâone positive and one challenging. Try to show how they shape outcomes.
Memory Tip:
âCircumâ = around, âstanceâ = standing â circumstances are whatâs standing or happening around someone.
Real-World Application:
Understanding someoneâs circumstances is essential in social work, education, and justice systems. It encourages empathy and helps design fairer policies, support systems, and interventions.
Word-5: Development
Context:
"Although parents might believe that self-care would be beneficial for development, recent research has found quite the opposite." - The Guardian
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Development" refers to the process of growth, progress, or improvement in various aspects of lifeâsuch as physical, mental, emotional, social, or intellectual. It is a foundational term in education, psychology, economics, and health sciences. In the sentence above, the word highlights how parents expect self-care to positively influence a child's growth and maturity, but research suggests otherwise, possibly due to the emotional or social gaps created by lack of supervision.
Meaning: The process of growth, improvement, or becoming more advanced (Noun)
Pronunciation: dih-vel-up-muhnt
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic
Etymology: From Old French *desveloper* ("unwrap, unfurl") which evolved into "develop" in English, and its noun form "development"
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Development" is a core academic word with versatile applications. Always pay attention to what type of development is being discussedâeconomic, emotional, cognitive, social, or physical. Common in exam passages on childhood, policy, and education.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: growth, progress, advancement, improvement, evolution
Antonyms: decline, stagnation, regression, deterioration
Usage Examples:
- Early childhood experiences play a major role in emotional development.
- The country is focusing on rural development through new infrastructure projects.
- His development as a leader was shaped by years of volunteering.
- Reading at home can support language development in young children.
Cultural Reference:
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." â Brundtland Commission Report, 1987
Think About It:
Can too much independence at an early age hinder a childâs social or emotional development?
Quick Activity:
List three different types of development (e.g., personal, academic, social) and give one sentence about what influences each.
Memory Tip:
Think of âdevelopmentâ as *de-veloping* or unwrapping potential â like unwrapping a gift that slowly reveals growth and improvement.
Real-World Application:
Understanding development is key in careers like education, psychology, and public health. It also helps individuals track their own growth and set realistic goals across life stages.
