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Misfit Sentence/Odd One Out Question
Q. 31: 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 the number in:
1. Our smartphones can now track our diets, our biological cycles, even our digestive systems and sleep-patterns.
2. Researchers have even coined a new term, “orthosomnia”, to describe the insomnia brought on by paying too much attention to smartphones and sleep-tracking apps.
3. Sleep, nature’s soft nurse, is a blissful, untroubled state all too easily disturbed by earthly worries or a guilty conscience.
4. The existence of a market for such apps is unsurprising: shift work, a long-hours culture and blue light from screens have conspired to rob many of us of sufficient rest.
5. A new threat to a good night’s sleep has emerged – smartphones, with sleep-tracking apps.
Solution with Explanation
Answer: 3
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:
This question can go from ‘easy-looking’ to ‘extremely-confusing’ in an instant – it depends on which theme you focus on to form the correct sequence for a coherent paragraph. If you focus on the theme of ‘sleep’ then the correct sequence will be 3524 and the odd one out will be 1. However, if you focus on the theme of ‘the ill-effects of sleep-tracking apps’, then the correct sequence will be 1524 and the odd one out will be 3. Let us explore how we get to the correct option indeed, by forming the logical flow of the given statements.
Sentence-1 asserts the fact that smartphones now have the ability to track sleep-patterns. So, it is important to include this statement – this singular reason is the key to get to the correct answer.
Sentence-5 adds one more reason for why people are unable to sleep – phones with the very apps that are supposed to track sleep!
In Sentence-2, the author shifts the blame to ‘smartphones and sleep-tracking apps’ for the kind of insomnia caused specifically by them (orthosomnia).
In Sentence-4, the author describes the reasons why people tend to use such apps, and thus create a market for them.
Sentence-3, however, talks about worries and a guilty conscience as likely reasons for sleep disturbance. This does not tie with the underlying theme of the remaining statements – “apps and insomnia” (and not natural reasons for insomnia). Hence, the odd one out is Sentence-3.
Word-1: Track
Context:
"Our smartphones can now track our diets, our biological cycles, even our digestive systems and sleep-patterns."
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word “track” refers to the act of observing, monitoring, or following the progress or development of something over time. In modern usage, particularly with technology, it often means using devices or applications to continuously measure or log various types of data, such as health metrics, location, or habits. In the given context, it suggests how smartphones have become tools for monitoring personal health and behavior patterns.
Meaning: To follow or monitor the progress, development, or movement of something. (Verb)
Pronunciation: trak
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner
Etymology: Derived from Middle English *trak*, meaning footprint or trail, and related to Old French *trac*.
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Think of “track” as both literal (like tracking footprints in the snow) and metaphorical (tracking expenses or habits). It’s one of those verbs that has evolved with technology—today, “tracking” almost always involves data collection or observation via apps or devices.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: monitor, follow, observe, trace, trail
Antonyms: ignore, overlook, neglect, miss
Usage Examples:
- Fitness apps can track your steps, heart rate, and calories burned.
- She tracked her package online to see when it would arrive.
- Teachers often track students' progress throughout the year.
- The police used GPS to track the stolen vehicle.
Cultural Reference:
"The quantified self movement emphasizes using technology to track every aspect of daily life." - Wired Magazine
Think About It:
How much of your daily life do you allow technology to track, and what are the potential benefits or drawbacks of this?
Quick Activity:
List three things you currently track using an app or device. Reflect on how this data helps you improve your habits or decisions.
Memory Tip:
Imagine leaving footprints on a beach—each step is "tracked" in the sand. That’s what tracking does—leaving a trace to follow!
Real-World Application:
In the real world, businesses use software to track inventory, logistics firms track packages, and individuals track health, spending, or study habits for better productivity and awareness.
Word-2: Digestive
Context:
"Our smartphones can now track our diets, our biological cycles, even our digestive systems and sleep-patterns."
Explanatory Paragraph:
The word “digestive” relates to digestion—the process by which the body breaks down food to absorb nutrients. In the given context, it is used as an adjective describing the system in the body responsible for processing food. This includes organs like the stomach and intestines. The word is also often used in medical and health discussions, especially when referring to wellness, diet, and the body’s inner functioning.
Meaning: Relating to the process of digesting food. (Adjective)
Pronunciation: dih-JES-tiv
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin *digestivus*, from *digestus*, meaning “digested” or “arranged.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
When you hear “digestive,” think about your stomach and how food is broken down in the body. It’s one of those science-rooted words that also appears in everyday wellness language—like “digestive health” or “digestive system.”
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: gastrointestinal, alimentary, metabolic
Antonyms: non-digestive, excretory (in contrast within bodily systems)
Usage Examples:
- She suffers from a digestive disorder that makes eating difficult.
- Yogurt is considered good for digestive health.
- The doctor recommended a digestive enzyme supplement.
- After the meal, he drank herbal tea to aid his digestive process.
Cultural Reference:
"Digestive biscuits" are a popular British snack originally intended to aid digestion. - British Food History
Think About It:
How much attention do we give to our digestive health, and how does it influence our overall well-being?
Quick Activity:
Write down three foods you think support digestive health. Research whether they truly do and why.
Memory Tip:
Think of “digestive” as connected to “digestion”—just like a digestive system digests food!
Real-World Application:
Understanding digestive health is essential for maintaining a balanced diet, preventing discomfort, and improving nutrient absorption. Many people use apps and trackers to monitor how different foods affect their digestive system.
Word-3: Insomnia
Context:
"Researchers have even coined a new term, “orthosomnia”, to describe the insomnia brought on by paying too much attention to smartphones and sleep-tracking apps."
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Insomnia” refers to the condition of being unable to sleep, either by having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early and not being able to return to sleep. It can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, anxiety, medical issues, and—as the context indicates—obsession with sleep itself, especially when using technology. The term is often used both medically and casually to describe disrupted sleep patterns.
Meaning: Inability to fall asleep or stay asleep. (Noun)
Pronunciation: in-SOM-nee-uh
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *insomnia*, from *in-* (not) + *somnus* (sleep).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Insomnia is more than just a few nights of bad sleep—it’s a persistent problem that can affect mental and physical health. Note how “ortho” (meaning correct) and “insomnia” combine to form “orthosomnia”—a modern word showing how worrying about sleep can actually cause it to worsen!
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: sleeplessness, restlessness, wakefulness
Antonyms: slumber, rest, sleep, repose
Usage Examples:
- She has struggled with insomnia since her early twenties.
- Stress and anxiety are common causes of insomnia.
- Many people turn to meditation to combat insomnia naturally.
- The doctor prescribed a mild sedative to help manage his insomnia.
Cultural Reference:
"Insomnia" is also the title of a psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, dealing with a detective who battles sleeplessness during a murder investigation in Alaska. - Film Culture
Think About It:
Can our obsession with improving sleep through technology ironically be harming it?
Quick Activity:
Write a short journal entry as if you are someone who has not slept for three nights. Describe the mental and physical effects using vivid details.
Memory Tip:
Break it down: *in-* (not) + *somnia* (sleep) = no sleep!
Real-World Application:
Insomnia is a common health issue affecting millions globally. Understanding it helps in seeking better sleep hygiene, using cognitive behavioral therapy, or adopting lifestyle changes to improve overall wellness.
Word-4: Orthosomnia
Context:
"Researchers have even coined a new term, “orthosomnia”, to describe the insomnia brought on by paying too much attention to smartphones and sleep-tracking apps."
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Orthosomnia” is a modern term used to describe a sleep disorder that arises from an obsession with getting perfect sleep, often triggered by the constant monitoring of sleep data through technology like apps and wearable devices. Ironically, the pursuit of ideal sleep can increase anxiety and disrupt natural sleep patterns. The term blends “ortho-” (meaning correct or proper) with “-somnia” (related to sleep), reflecting the condition’s roots in overcorrecting sleep behavior.
Meaning: A form of insomnia caused by the obsessive use of sleep-tracking technology. (Noun)
Pronunciation: or-tho-SOM-nee-uh
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced
Etymology: Coined from Greek *ortho-* (correct) + *-somnia* (sleep), paralleling terms like “orthorexia.”
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Orthosomnia shows how even helpful tools, when overused or misused, can backfire. It's a great word for understanding how perfectionism and anxiety around health tracking can actually create the very problems we're trying to solve. Be aware of how technology affects your natural rhythms.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: technology-induced insomnia, sleep anxiety
Antonyms: restful sleep, natural sleep, sleep hygiene
Usage Examples:
- He developed orthosomnia after obsessively checking his sleep scores every morning.
- Ironically, the sleep tracker meant to help her caused orthosomnia by fueling her anxiety.
- Orthosomnia is becoming more common in people who rely too heavily on smartwatches for sleep data.
- The term “orthosomnia” highlights the unintended consequences of biofeedback technology.
Cultural Reference:
"Orthosomnia is a modern sleep disorder driven by the quantified self movement, where people track every aspect of their health—including sleep—with often obsessive detail." - Sleep Medicine Reviews
Think About It:
At what point does helpful self-monitoring turn into harmful self-obsession?
Quick Activity:
Reflect on one health behavior you track (e.g., steps, sleep, food). Write a few lines on whether this habit helps or stresses you, and why.
Memory Tip:
“Ortho” = correct + “somnia” = sleep → trying to sleep “correctly” but ending up sleepless!
Real-World Application:
Orthosomnia reminds us to use health technology mindfully. While data can be empowering, too much focus on metrics may increase anxiety. Recognizing this pattern can help us re-establish healthier relationships with sleep and technology.
Word-5: Conspired
Context:
"The existence of a market for such apps is unsurprising: shift work, a long-hours culture and blue light from screens have conspired to rob many of us of sufficient rest."
Explanatory Paragraph:
“Conspired” generally means to secretly plan or work together, often with negative or harmful intent. However, in this context, it is used metaphorically to suggest that multiple factors—like shift work, screen exposure, and societal habits—have unintentionally “teamed up” to create a problem: widespread lack of rest. This usage reflects how several elements can interact to produce a negative outcome, even without conscious coordination.
Meaning: To work together toward a common result, often in a secret or harmful way. (Verb – past tense)
Pronunciation: kun-SPIRED
Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐⭐ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *conspirare*, meaning “to breathe together,” from *con-* (together) + *spirare* (to breathe).
Prashant Sir's Notes:
“Conspired” doesn't always mean a deliberate plot—sometimes, like in this sentence, it can describe how different elements align and lead to a result without conscious planning. It's a powerful word to describe unintended consequences that feel like a setup!
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: colluded, collaborated, plotted, coordinated
Antonyms: opposed, disagreed, resisted, counteracted
Usage Examples:
- The two employees conspired to leak confidential data.
- Poor diet, stress, and lack of exercise have conspired to damage his health.
- It felt like the universe had conspired against her that day.
- The corrupt officials conspired to embezzle public funds.
Cultural Reference:
"The stars have conspired to make this the perfect moment." – A poetic way to suggest the universe has aligned to create an event, often seen in literature or romantic fiction.
Think About It:
Can we truly blame circumstances for negative outcomes, or are we also responsible for how we respond to them?
Quick Activity:
Write two short sentences: one where "conspired" is used literally (involving people), and one metaphorically (involving events or conditions).
Memory Tip:
Imagine people whispering together (“breathing together”) to secretly make something happen—that’s the root of “conspired.”
Real-World Application:
The term “conspired” is often used in journalism, literature, and everyday speech to describe how events, systems, or individuals combine to bring about an outcome—be it a corporate scandal or societal issue like burnout.
