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4th Std Scholarship · Intelligence Test

Term that belongs to a set

5 concepts · 40 practice questions with answers · Free to read

This lesson is also in: मराठी

A set of words : spot the class

From daily life

The fruit seller has a mango, a banana and a guava. Which would you pick next? A grape, because it is a fruit too; not an onion, because it is a vegetable. Choosing a new term that belongs with a set is what "term that belongs to a set" means.

Simple definition

Here a set (a few terms of one family) is given first. Find the criterion that joins all of them and pick the one of the four options that fits it. It is the opposite of the "odd one out" lesson : there you find the one that is different, here you find the one that fits.

How to find the term that belongs

StepWhat to do
1Find the criterion that joins everything in the set
2Apply that criterion to each option
3Pick the one that fits; drop the others
1
Rule 1

First find the criterion (class) of the set : fruits, vegetables, animals, birds, weekdays, months.

  • E.g. Mango, banana, guava : criterion fruits.
2
Rule 2

Apply the criterion to the options one by one.

  • E.g. Potato (vegetable) no, grape (fruit) yes, onion (vegetable) no, carrot (vegetable) no.
3
Rule 3

Only one option should fit the class. If two fit, make the criterion more exact.

  • E.g. Set Monday, Wednesday, Friday : criterion weekday; among the options "Sunday" is the only weekday.
4
Rule 4

Choose by quality, not by looks : flowers, birds, vehicles are qualities.

  • E.g. Rose, jasmine, champak : flowers. Marigold is a flower; peepal is a tree, mango a fruit, wheat a grain.
Example 1 · easy

Which term belongs with mango, banana, guava? (1) Potato (2) Grape (3) Onion (4) Carrot

  1. Criterion : fruits.
  2. A grape is a fruit. Answer : (2) Grape.
Example 2 · medium

Which term belongs with Monday, Wednesday, Friday? (1) May (2) Sunday (3) Winter (4) East

  1. Criterion : weekdays.
  2. Sunday is a weekday. Answer : (2) Sunday.
Example 3 · exam type

Which term belongs with rose, jasmine, champak? (1) Peepal (2) Marigold (3) Mango (4) Wheat

  1. Criterion : flowers.
  2. Peepal is a tree, mango a fruit, wheat a grain; marigold is a flower. Answer : (2) Marigold.
Remember

First the criterion, then the options. If you do not know the criterion, do not look at the options.

Common mistake

Picking the first familiar option. Apply every option to the criterion.

Shortcut

Memory clue : "First the criterion of the set, then the options one by one."

Shortcut

If the criterion does not come at once recall the three names : class, use and place.

Spot the difference

LessonWhat to find
Odd one outThe different one in the set
Term that belongs to a setThe one that fits the set
AnalogyThe same link

Practice questions

Easy
  1. 1Which term belongs with crow, sparrow, peacock? (1) Tiger (2) Kite (3) Fish (4) Tortoise
  2. 2Which term belongs with red, yellow, blue? (1) Green (2) Monday (3) Round (4) Square
  3. 3Which term belongs with bus, truck, car? (1) Ship (2) Aeroplane (3) Rickshaw (4) Ox
Medium
  1. 4Which term belongs with pencil, pen, chalk? (1) Scissors (2) Blackboard (3) Notebook (4) Sketch pen
  2. 5Which term belongs with Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata? (1) Ganga (2) Chennai (3) Himalaya (4) Marathi
  3. 6Which term belongs with wheat, rice, jowar? (1) Moong (2) Bajra (3) Tur (4) Gram
Challenging
  1. 7Which term belongs with north, south, east? (1) Sky (2) West (3) Sun (4) Moon
  2. 8Which term belongs with June, July, August? (1) Wednesday (2) September (3) Monsoon (4) Saturday
Show answers (try them yourself first)
  1. 1(2) Kite (a bird).
  2. 2(1) Green (a colour).
  3. 3(3) Rickshaw (a vehicle that runs on the road).
  4. 4(4) Sketch pen (a writing tool).
  5. 5(2) Chennai (a city).
  6. 6(2) Bajra (a grain).
  7. 7(2) West (a direction).
  8. 8(2) September (a month).

A set of words : use and quality

From daily life

In the kitchen the spoon, the bowl and the plate are kept together because they are dining utensils. The pot belongs among them too. Sometimes a set is made by use and not by class.

Simple definition

A set is sometimes formed by use (cutting, writing, eating) or by quality (meat-eating, giving light, thread for cloth). Find that criterion and choose the option in the same way.

Use and quality

CriterionExample set
FoodLion, tiger, cheetah (meat-eaters)
PlaceBoat, ship, launch (on water)
UseScissors, knife, sickle (cutting)
QualitySun, star, lamp (give light)
1
Rule 1

See what they eat or what they do (food, work).

  • E.g. Lion, tiger, cheetah : meat-eaters. A wolf is a meat-eater.
2
Rule 2

See where they are (on water, on land, in the air).

  • E.g. Boat, ship, launch : things that go on water. A canoe goes on water.
3
Rule 3

See what they are used for.

  • E.g. Scissors, knife, sickle : tools for cutting. An axe cuts.
4
Rule 4

See what special quality they share (gives light, sweet, soft).

  • E.g. Sun, star, lamp : give light by themselves. A torch gives light; the moon only reflects light.
Example 1 · easy

Which term belongs with lion, tiger, cheetah? (1) Cow (2) Wolf (3) Goat (4) Deer

  1. Criterion : meat-eating animals.
  2. A wolf eats meat; the cow, goat and deer are plant-eaters. Answer : (2) Wolf.
Example 2 · medium

Which term belongs with boat, ship, launch? (1) Bus (2) Canoe (3) Cycle (4) Aeroplane

  1. Criterion : things that go on water.
  2. A canoe goes on water. Answer : (2) Canoe.
Example 3 · exam type

Which term belongs with sun, star, lamp? (1) Moon (2) Torch (3) Stone (4) Book

  1. Criterion : give light by themselves.
  2. The bulb of a torch gives light by itself; the moon reflects light. Answer : (2) Torch.
Remember

A set is sometimes formed by use or quality and not by class; take that criterion.

Common mistake

Choosing because "they look alike". See use and quality, not looks.

Shortcut

Memory clue : "What does it eat? Where is it? What is it for? What quality?"

Shortcut

Say the set and the option in one sentence : "These are all ___".

Spot the difference

CriterionExample
FoodLion : meat-eater
PlaceBoat : on water
UseScissors : cutting

Practice questions

Easy
  1. 1Which term belongs with cotton, wool, silk? (1) Nylon (2) Stone (3) Wood (4) Glass
  2. 2Which term belongs with spoon, bowl, plate? (1) Chair (2) Pot (3) Blackboard (4) Curtain
  3. 3Which term belongs with eye, ear, nose? (1) Hand (2) Tongue (3) Leg (4) Stomach
Medium
  1. 4Which term belongs with pond, river, sea? (1) Mountain (2) Well (3) Field (4) Road
  2. 5Which term belongs with teacher, doctor, lawyer? (1) Dog (2) Farmer (3) House (4) Tree
  3. 6Which term belongs with book, notebook, newspaper? (1) Chair (2) Magazine (3) Needle (4) Stone
Challenging
  1. 7Which term belongs with scissors, knife, sickle? (1) Spoon (2) Axe (3) Hammer (4) Pen
  2. 8Which term belongs with sugar, honey, jaggery? (1) Salt (2) Lemon (3) Jalebi (4) Chilli
Show answers (try them yourself first)
  1. 1(1) Nylon (a thread for cloth).
  2. 2(2) Pot (a kitchen utensil).
  3. 3(2) Tongue (a sense organ).
  4. 4(2) Well (a store of water).
  5. 5(2) Farmer (a person's work).
  6. 6(2) Magazine (reading material).
  7. 7(2) Axe (a cutting tool).
  8. 8(3) Jalebi (a sweet food).

A set of numbers : even, odd and tables

From daily life

When we say 5, 10, 15 the next, 20, comes to mind by itself because it is in the table of 5. Sets of numbers have such criteria too : even-odd, tables, last digit.

Simple definition

If a set of numbers is given, find the criterion that fits all of them (even, odd, table, last digit). Then see whether the number in an option fits that criterion.

Criteria for numbers

CriterionExample set
Even2, 4, 6
Odd1, 3, 5
Table14, 28, 42 (table of 7)
Last digit13, 23, 33 (ends in 3)
1
Rule 1

See whether they are even or odd.

  • E.g. 2, 4, 6 are even. Among the options 8 is even; 9, 11, 15 are odd.
2
Rule 2

See whether they are in the same table.

  • E.g. 14, 28, 42 are in the table of 7. 56 = 7 × 8.
3
Rule 3

See whether all have the same last digit.

  • E.g. 13, 23, 33 : ending in 3. Among the options 43.
4
Rule 4

If more than one option fits, find a more exact criterion.

  • E.g. 10, 20, 30 are even, but they are in the table of 10; among the options only 40 is in the table of 10.
Example 1 · easy

Which number belongs with 2, 4, 6? (1) 9 (2) 8 (3) 11 (4) 15

  1. 2, 4, 6 are even numbers.
  2. 8 is even; the others are odd. Answer : (2) 8.
Example 2 · medium

Which number belongs with 14, 28, 42? (1) 56 (2) 50 (3) 60 (4) 45

  1. All are in the table of 7 : 7 × 2, 7 × 4, 7 × 6.
  2. 56 = 7 × 8. Answer : (1) 56.
Example 3 · exam type

Which number belongs with 22, 33, 44? (1) 54 (2) 66 (3) 70 (4) 75

  1. All are in the table of 11 : 11 × 2, 11 × 3, 11 × 4.
  2. 66 = 11 × 6. Answer : (2) 66.
Remember

Apply the criteria to the numbers one by one : even-odd, table, last digit.

Common mistake

Looking only at even-odd. 14, 28, 42 are even, but the real criterion for all of them is the table of 7.

Shortcut

Memory clue : "Even-odd, table, last digit : three checks."

Shortcut

Find the difference of the first two numbers of the set; that is the number of the table.

Spot the difference

SetCriterion
2, 4, 6Even numbers
14, 28, 42Table of 7
13, 23, 33Last digit 3

Practice questions

Easy
  1. 1Which number belongs with 1, 3, 5? (1) 7 (2) 8 (3) 10 (4) 12
  2. 2Which number belongs with 10, 20, 30? (1) 35 (2) 40 (3) 45 (4) 55
  3. 3Which number belongs with 6, 12, 18? (1) 20 (2) 24 (3) 28 (4) 32
Medium
  1. 4Which number belongs with 9, 18, 27? (1) 30 (2) 36 (3) 40 (4) 44
  2. 5Which number belongs with 4, 8, 12? (1) 14 (2) 16 (3) 18 (4) 22
  3. 6Which number belongs with 13, 23, 33? (1) 43 (2) 44 (3) 45 (4) 46
Challenging
  1. 7Which number belongs with 2, 3, 5, 7? (1) 9 (2) 11 (3) 15 (4) 21
  2. 8Which number belongs with 1, 4, 9, 16? (1) 20 (2) 24 (3) 25 (4) 30
Show answers (try them yourself first)
  1. 1(1) 7 (odd).
  2. 2(2) 40 (table of 10).
  3. 3(2) 24 (table of 6).
  4. 4(2) 36 (table of 9).
  5. 5(2) 16 (table of 4).
  6. 6(1) 43 (last digit 3).
  7. 7(2) 11 (a prime number).
  8. 8(3) 25 (a square number; 5 × 5).

A set of numbers : squares, primes and the sum of digits

From daily life

Where have we seen 4, 9, 25? 2 × 2, 3 × 3, 5 × 5. Sets like this, which are not in tables, need another criterion : squares, primes or the sum of digits.

Simple definition

If none of even-odd, table or last digit fits, check square numbers, prime numbers (divisible only by 1 and themselves) and the sum of digits.

Next criteria

CriterionExample set
Square16, 25, 36
Cube1, 8, 27, 64
Prime11, 13, 17
Sum of digits13, 22, 31 (sum 4)
1
Rule 1

Spot squares : was the number made by multiplying a number by itself (4 = 2 × 2, 9 = 3 × 3).

  • E.g. 16, 25, 36 : 4², 5², 6². The next is 49.
2
Rule 2

Spot cubes : a number made by multiplying three times (8 = 2 × 2 × 2).

  • E.g. 1, 8, 27, 64 : cube numbers. The next is 125.
3
Rule 3

Spot primes : divisible only by 1 and themselves.

  • E.g. 11, 13, 17, 19 : prime numbers.
4
Rule 4

See whether the sum of digits is the same.

  • E.g. 13, 22, 31 : 1 + 3, 2 + 2, 3 + 1 = 4. In 40, 4 + 0 = 4.
Example 1 · easy

Which number belongs with 13, 22, 31? (1) 40 (2) 35 (3) 44 (4) 50

  1. The sum of digits of all is 4.
  2. In 40, 4 + 0 = 4; in the others 8, 8, 5. Answer : (1) 40.
Example 2 · medium

Which number belongs with 4, 9, 25? (1) 16 (2) 49 (3) 36 (4) 64

  1. 4 = 2², 9 = 3², 25 = 5² : squares of prime numbers.
  2. 49 = 7². Answer : (2) 49.
Example 3 · exam type

Which number belongs with 11, 13, 17? (1) 21 (2) 27 (3) 19 (4) 25

  1. All are prime numbers.
  2. 21 = 3 × 7, 27 = 3 × 9, 25 = 5 × 5; 19 is prime. Answer : (3) 19.
Remember

Squares, cubes, primes and sum of digits : check these four criteria after the tables.

Common mistake

Taking 1 as a prime number. 1 is not prime; a prime number has two factors.

Shortcut

Memory clue : "Square, cube, prime, sum : first table, then these."

Shortcut

Recall the first squares : 1, 4, 9, 16, 25, 36, 49, 64, 81, 100.

Spot the difference

SetCriterion
16, 25, 36Squares
1, 8, 27Cubes
23, 29, 31Prime numbers

Practice questions

Easy
  1. 1Which number belongs with 14, 23, 32? (1) 41 (2) 43 (3) 52 (4) 60
  2. 2Which number belongs with 1, 8, 27, 64? (1) 100 (2) 125 (3) 150 (4) 200
  3. 3Which number belongs with 16, 25, 36? (1) 40 (2) 45 (3) 49 (4) 50
Medium
  1. 4Which number belongs with 23, 29, 31? (1) 33 (2) 35 (3) 37 (4) 39
  2. 5Which number belongs with 12, 18, 24, 30? (1) 32 (2) 34 (3) 36 (4) 38
  3. 6Which number belongs with 100, 121, 144? (1) 160 (2) 169 (3) 175 (4) 180
Challenging
  1. 7Which number belongs with 21, 35, 49? (1) 56 (2) 63 (3) 70 (4) 72
  2. 8Which number belongs with 26, 34, 43? (1) 62 (2) 63 (3) 52 (4) 41
Show answers (try them yourself first)
  1. 1(1) 41 (sum of digits 5).
  2. 2(2) 125 (a cube; 5 × 5 × 5).
  3. 3(3) 49 (a square; 7 × 7).
  4. 4(3) 37 (a prime number).
  5. 5(3) 36 (table of 6).
  6. 6(2) 169 (a square; 13 × 13).
  7. 7(2) 63 (table of 7 and odd; 56, 70, 72 are even).
  8. 8(1) 62 (product of digits 12 : 2 × 6, 3 × 4, 4 × 3, 6 × 2).

Mixed questions and exam tricks

From daily life

A friend says, "Tell me a number like 2, 4, 8." If you say "12" he says, "No, 16." Because 12 is even, but in 2, 4, 8 the numbers double each time. The criterion that drops three of the four options is the true one.

Simple definition

One set can fit two criteria. The criterion that picks out only one of the four options is the true criterion. This trick works for words, numbers and letters.

List of all criteria

SetCriteria
WordsClass, use, place, food
NumbersEven-odd, table, last digit
Special numbersSquare, cube, prime, doubling
LettersVowels, even places, alternate letters
1
Rule 1

Find a criterion that fits everything in the set.

  • E.g. 2, 4, 8 : two criteria, even and doubling each time.
2
Rule 2

Apply each criterion to the options; it must pick out only one option.

  • E.g. The criterion "even" fits all of 12, 16, 20, 24; so it does not work.
3
Rule 3

Take the criterion that picks out only one option.

  • E.g. "Doubling each time" : 2, 4, 8, 16. Among the options 16.
4
Rule 4

In a set of letters look at vowels or the number of the letter.

  • E.g. A, E, I : vowels. Among the options O.
Example 1 · easy

Which number belongs with 2, 4, 8? (1) 12 (2) 16 (3) 20 (4) 24

  1. "Even" fits all four options, so it does not work.
  2. Doubling each time : 2, 4, 8, 16. Answer : (2) 16.
Example 2 · medium

Which term belongs with parrot, pigeon, sparrow? (1) Bat (2) Crow (3) Fish (4) Snake

  1. Criterion : birds.
  2. A crow is a bird; a bat is not a bird. Answer : (2) Crow.
Example 3 · exam type

Which number belongs with 1, 8, 27? (1) 36 (2) 49 (3) 64 (4) 81

  1. 1, 8, 27 are cubes : 1³, 2³, 3³.
  2. 64 = 4³; 36, 49 and 81 are squares, not cubes. Answer : (3) 64.
Remember

The criterion that picks out only one option is the true criterion.

Common mistake

Sticking to the first criterion that came to mind till the end. If it fits three options, change it.

Shortcut

Memory clue : "The criterion that picks one option is true."

Shortcut

Once the criterion fits, drop the other three options; when one is left that is the answer.

Spot the difference

Result of the criterionMeaning
Only one option fitsThe criterion is right
All four options fitChange the criterion
No option fitsThe criterion is wrong

Practice questions

Easy
  1. 1Which number belongs with 3, 6, 12? (1) 15 (2) 18 (3) 24 (4) 30
  2. 2Which term belongs with cat, dog, rabbit? (1) Parrot (2) Cow (3) Fish (4) Snake
  3. 3Which number belongs with 1, 4, 9? (1) 10 (2) 12 (3) 16 (4) 18
Medium
  1. 4Which letter belongs with A, E, I? (1) K (2) O (3) P (4) R
  2. 5Which letter belongs with B, D, F? (1) H (2) G (3) I (4) K
  3. 6Which number belongs with 5, 7, 11? (1) 9 (2) 13 (3) 15 (4) 21
Challenging
  1. 7Which number belongs with 10, 15, 20? (1) 22 (2) 25 (3) 28 (4) 32
  2. 8Which number belongs with 7, 14, 21? (1) 24 (2) 28 (3) 30 (4) 32
Show answers (try them yourself first)
  1. 1(3) 24 (doubling each time : 3, 6, 12, 24).
  2. 2(2) Cow (four-legged animals).
  3. 3(3) 16 (a square number).
  4. 4(2) O (a vowel).
  5. 5(1) H (numbers 2, 4, 6, 8 : letters at even places).
  6. 6(2) 13 (a prime number).
  7. 7(2) 25 (table of 5).
  8. 8(2) 28 (table of 7).

Quick revision of the whole lesson

TopicMemory clue
Words : classFirst the criterion of the set, then the options one by one
Words : use, qualityWhat does it eat? Where is it? What is it for? What quality?
Numbers : even, tableEven-odd, table, last digit
Numbers : square, primeSquare, cube, prime, sum
MixedThe criterion that picks one option is true
CheckingIs the chosen option like the set?

🎯 Most important points for the exam

  • First find the criterion of the set; then apply the options one by one.
  • For words see class, food, place and use.
  • For numbers check even-odd, table and last digit.
  • Then check squares, cubes, primes and the sum of digits.
  • The criterion that picks only one of the four options is the true one.
  • This lesson is the opposite of "odd one out" : here you find the one that fits.
  • After choosing, check once more that it is like the set.
🧠 Study mantra

"Find the criterion of the set; the one that picks a single option is true."