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Misfit Sentence/Odd One Out Question
33. Five sentences related to a topic are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a meaningful and coherent short paragraph. Identify the odd one out. Choose its number as your answer and key it in.
1. In many cases time inconsistency is what prevents our going from intention to action.
2. For people to continuously postpone getting their children immunized, they would need to be constantly fooled by themselves.
3. In the specific case of immunization, however, it is hard to believe that time inconsistency by itself would be sufficient to make people permanently postpone the decision if they were fully cognizant of its benefits.
4. In most cases, even a small cost of immunization was large enough to discourage most people.
5. Not only do they have to think that they prefer to spend time going to the camp next month rather than today, they also have to believe that they will indeed go next month.
Solution with Explanation
Answer: 4
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:
All the options, except Option 4, discuss about how time inconsistency prevents people from immunizing their children. Sentence 4 introduces a new element in the picture - cost of immunization â as a possible reason to discourage people. This is clearly standing out from the rest, and will not add to coherency of the passage.
Sentences 1 and 3 also form a âsetâ as they discuss about how time inconsistency prevents people from taking the action of immunizing their children. Sentences 2 and 5 form a âsetâ as a they follow a logical flow of thought. Sentence-2 states that people would need to be fooled by themselves, and Sentence-5 explains âhowâ they tend to fool themselves. The sequence 1325 forms a coherent paragraph.
Hence, 4 is the correct answer.
Word-1: Inconsistency
Context:
"In many cases time inconsistency is what prevents our going from intention to action."
Explanatory Paragraph:
Inconsistency refers to the lack of uniformity, stability, or reliability in thoughts, behaviors, or outcomes. In the sentence above, *time inconsistency* is a behavioral economics concept that describes how people often make decisions that contradict their earlier plans. For example, someone might intend to exercise every morning but fail to follow through because their preferences or motivation change over time. This inner conflict between long-term goals and short-term actions illustrates how inconsistency can hinder progress or achievement.
Meaning: The quality of being changeable, contradictory, or not logically or regularly consistent (Noun)
Pronunciation: in-kuhn-SIS-ten-see
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin in- (not) + consistentia (standing together, agreement)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word often points to a gap between what we say and what we doâor between different actions we take. Itâs especially useful in psychology, decision-making, and self-reflection. Always ask: is there a pattern, or is something breaking the flow?
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: contradiction, instability, fluctuation, variability
Antonyms: consistency, reliability, stability, coherence
Usage Examples:
- There was a clear inconsistency between his words and actions.
- The report was rejected due to logical inconsistencies in the argument.
- Her training schedule suffered from inconsistency, making progress slow.
- Time inconsistency often explains why we procrastinate despite knowing better.
Cultural Reference:
âConsistency is the last refuge of the unimaginative.â â Oscar Wilde (used ironically, highlighting how inconsistency can sometimes reflect complexity or creativity)
Think About It:
Do your short-term actions support your long-term goals, or is there inconsistency between your intentions and behaviors?
Quick Activity:
Write down one personal goal. Then list two habits or choices youâve made that either support or show inconsistency with that goal.
Memory Tip:
Inconsistency = ânot consistent.â Think of a flickering lightâit turns on and off unpredictably, just like inconsistent behavior.
Real-World Application:
Understanding inconsistency helps in goal-setting, habit formation, therapy, policymaking, and time managementâallowing people and systems to close the gap between intentions and outcomes.
Word-2: Postpone
Context:
"For people to continuously postpone getting their children immunized, they would need to be constantly fooled by themselves."
Explanatory Paragraph:
To postpone means to delay or defer something to a later time. It implies that an action or decision that should ideally happen now is being put off, often due to hesitation, inconvenience, fear, or procrastination. In the given context, the word highlights how delaying a crucial taskâsuch as immunizing childrenâcan have serious consequences, and such behavior often stems from irrational justifications or internal self-deception rather than valid reasons.
Meaning: To delay or arrange for something to take place at a later time (Verb)
Pronunciation: pohst-POHN
Difficulty Level: â Basic
Etymology: From Latin postponere, meaning âto place after,â from post- (after) + ponere (to place)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a practical and frequently used verb. While it might sound harmless, the deeper effects of postponing important actions can be significantâespecially in areas like health, finance, and education. Often, âlaterâ becomes ânever.â Recognize when you're using this word as a mental escape hatch.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: delay, defer, reschedule, put off, hold off
Antonyms: advance, expedite, continue, carry out
Usage Examples:
- They decided to postpone the wedding due to bad weather.
- Procrastinators often postpone important decisions until the last minute.
- The school postponed the exam to give students more time to prepare.
- Delaying or postponing vaccinations can pose health risks to children.
Cultural Reference:
"Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today." â Popular proverb urging against postponement and procrastination.
Think About It:
Whatâs one thing youâve been postponing latelyâand why? Is the reason valid, or are you subconsciously avoiding it?
Quick Activity:
Write down three tasks you've recently postponed. Next to each, write the real reason (not excuse!) behind the delay.
Memory Tip:
âPostponeâ = âpostâ (after) + âponeâ (place)âso you place something after its original time!
Real-World Application:
Understanding the habit of postponement helps in managing time, improving productivity, and making better decisionsâespecially in health, academics, and professional life where delays can lead to major consequences.
Word-3: Cognizant
Context:
"At 35 years and 342 days, Roger Federer became the oldest man to win the singles title in the Open Era â a full 14 years after he first claimed the title as a scruffy, pony-tailed upstart." â Sports Feature Commentary
Explanatory Paragraph:
An "upstart" is someone who has risen suddenly to fame, power, or prominenceâoften in a way that surprises or annoys others. In this context, the word paints a vivid picture of a young Federer, full of raw talent and confidence, bursting onto the tennis scene. The term can sometimes carry a slightly negative or cheeky tone, suggesting that the newcomer may be a little bold or unpolished. Itâs often used to describe disruptive newcomers in any fieldâfrom sports to business to politics.
Meaning: A person who has risen suddenly to a position of power or fame, often seen as presumptuous (Noun)
Pronunciation: UP-start
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic
Etymology: From Middle English *upstarten* (to jump up suddenly), combining âupâ + âstartâ; later used as a noun to describe those who rise quickly and unexpectedly
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Upstart" is a vivid word that often carries a tone of rebellion, ambition, or sudden success. Itâs great for storytellingâespecially when describing someone who defies expectations or breaks into an established scene. Use it carefullyâit can be admiring, critical, or ironic depending on tone.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: newcomer, novice, challenger, rebel, disruptor
Antonyms: veteran, established figure, elder, traditionalist
Usage Examples:
- He arrived on the political scene as a brash upstart, challenging old ideas.
- The tech upstart disrupted the industry with its innovative model.
- Federer was once seen as a flashy upstart but grew into a revered legend.
- Many underestimated the upstart, but she proved her critics wrong.
Cultural Reference:
"In Shakespeare's *Henry VI*, the term 'upstart crow' was used to insult playwrights who rose too quicklyâhighlighting how upstarts have long been viewed with a mix of suspicion and admiration." â Literary History
Think About It:
Why do people sometimes react negatively to upstartsâeven when their talent or ideas are undeniable?
Quick Activity:
Think of a person in sports, business, or entertainment who was once called an upstart. Write one sentence about their early rise.
Memory Tip:
Think: *Upstart = someone who starts up suddenly*. Like a rocket launchâfast, bold, and eye-catching.
Real-World Application:
"Upstart" is frequently used in sports journalism, business media, and biographies. It describes newcomers who disrupt norms and rise quicklyâsometimes with admiration, sometimes with skepticism.
Context:
"In the specific case of immunization, however, it is hard to believe that time inconsistency by itself would be sufficient to make people permanently postpone the decision if they were fully cognizant of its benefits."
Explanatory Paragraph:
*Cognizant* means being fully aware, informed, or conscious of something. It implies a deep, mindful understanding, often with implications for making responsible or thoughtful decisions. In the sentence above, it suggests that if people truly understood and appreciated the health benefits of immunization, they would be less likely to delay it. Awarenessâbeing cognizantâhelps people align their actions with long-term benefits rather than being swayed by short-term hesitations.
Meaning: Having knowledge or being aware of something (Adjective)
Pronunciation: KOG-nuh-zuhnt
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin cognoscere, meaning âto knowâ or âto recognize.â
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Use this word to express deep, responsible awarenessâespecially in academic or professional contexts. Itâs stronger than just âknowingââit implies thoughtful awareness that should guide action. Excellent for essays, reports, or debates!
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: aware, mindful, informed, conscious, sensible
Antonyms: unaware, ignorant, oblivious, unmindful
Usage Examples:
- We must be cognizant of the environmental impact of our choices.
- She is fully cognizant of the challenges that lie ahead in her new role.
- Voters should be cognizant of the facts before making decisions at the polls.
- He was not cognizant of the risk involved in skipping the medication.
Cultural Reference:
"Be cognizant not only of what you do, but why you do it." â A paraphrase from mindfulness and ethical leadership teachings, often echoed in organizational psychology.
Think About It:
Can true awareness (being fully cognizant) alone change behavior, or do emotions and habits override even our best knowledge?
Quick Activity:
Write one sentence about a decision you made recently. Then rewrite it showing how being more cognizant could have changed the outcome.
Memory Tip:
âCognizantâ sounds like ârecognizeââso think of it as recognizing something clearly in your mind and being aware of it.
Real-World Application:
Being cognizant is essential in health, education, workplace behavior, and ethical decision-makingâhelping individuals and leaders act with responsibility, empathy, and foresight.
Word-4: Sufficient
Context:
"In the specific case of immunization, however, it is hard to believe that time inconsistency by itself would be sufficient to make people permanently postpone the decision if they were fully cognizant of its benefits."
Explanatory Paragraph:
*Sufficient* means enough or adequate for a particular purpose. It implies that a certain amount or condition is all that is necessary to achieve a specific result. In the given sentence, the word questions whether time inconsistency alone is enough to explain why people keep delaying immunization. The idea is that if people truly understood the benefits (i.e., were cognizant), then that awareness would overcome the internal conflict of delayâmaking time inconsistency an insufficient explanation by itself.
Meaning: Enough to meet the needs or achieve a purpose (Adjective)
Pronunciation: suh-FISH-uhnt
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic
Etymology: From Latin sufficiens, present participle of sufficere, meaning âto supply or meet the needs of.â
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is one of the most useful words in analytical writing. It's often paired with terms like ânecessary,â âevidence,â or âreason.â Ask: Is this *enough* to justify or cause something? If yes, it's sufficient. If not, itâs lacking. Think logically with this word.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: adequate, enough, satisfactory, ample
Antonyms: insufficient, inadequate, lacking, deficient
Usage Examples:
- The evidence presented was sufficient to convict the suspect.
- A small dose of the medicine is sufficient for most patients.
- Is your income sufficient to cover all your expenses?
- Being motivated is necessary but not sufficient for successâyou also need discipline.
Cultural Reference:
âA necessary condition is not always a sufficient one.â â A common principle in logic and philosophy, distinguishing between what is required and what is enough.
Think About It:
What factors do you consider sufficient to make an important decision? Do you act only when all conditions are met or when âenoughâ seems good enough?
Quick Activity:
Write two sentences: one using "sufficient" and one using "insufficient." Make sure each reflects a clear difference in outcome.
Memory Tip:
Sufficient = "so fish in it" â imagine a pond with âso much fish in itâ that itâs enough to feed everyone!
Real-World Application:
Knowing when something is sufficient helps in everyday decision-makingâfrom budgeting and health choices to evaluating arguments, project resources, and academic success criteria.
Word-5: Discourage
Context:
"In most cases, even a small cost of immunization was large enough to discourage most people."
Explanatory Paragraph:
*Discourage* means to make someone less confident, less willing, or less likely to do something. It involves creating doubt, fear, or obstacles that weaken motivation or enthusiasm. In the context above, the sentence highlights how even a small financial cost can act as a psychological or practical barrier, preventing people from going through with the action of immunizing their children. The idea emphasizes how easily human behavior can be influenced or deterredâeven by seemingly minor challenges.
Meaning: To cause someone to lose confidence or enthusiasm, or to prevent an action by making it difficult or less appealing (Verb)
Pronunciation: dis-KUR-ij
Difficulty Level: ââ Basic
Etymology: From Old French descouragier, based on corage meaning âcourageâ; literally âto take away courage.â
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Discourage is an emotional-action word. It doesnât just mean stopping someoneâit means shaking their will, confidence, or desire. When using it, look for the emotional or situational element thatâs making something seem harder or less worth it.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: deter, dissuade, demotivate, dishearten, hinder
Antonyms: encourage, motivate, inspire, promote, support
Usage Examples:
- High fees can discourage students from enrolling in higher education.
- The harsh feedback discouraged her from sharing her ideas again.
- Poor infrastructure discouraged people from traveling to the rural clinic.
- We must not let failure discourage us from trying again.
Cultural Reference:
"Many of lifeâs failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." â Thomas Edison, highlighting the danger of discouragement.
Think About It:
What small obstacles in your life have discouraged you from taking meaningful actionâand how can you overcome them?
Quick Activity:
Write a short paragraph about a time you felt discouraged. Then add one line about what helped you regain your confidence or motivation.
Memory Tip:
âDiscourageâ = âdisâ (away) + âcourageâ â something that takes your bravery or motivation away.
Real-World Application:
Recognizing discouragement helps in designing better policies, user experiences, or educational programsâremoving small barriers that can have a big impact on participation and behavior.
